JP2012147146A - Wireless communication device, connection control method in wireless communication, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of a wireless communication device when connecting with another device while being connected with a device.SOLUTION: The wireless communication device comprises a communication part which, when receiving a connection request from another device while being connected wirelessly with one or a plurality of devices, releases the connection state with the one or the plurality of devices and connects wirelessly with another device. The communication part, after connecting wirelessly with another device, if a wireless connection is possible with the one or the plurality of devices, is capable of re-connecting with the one or the plurality of devices.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus that performs wireless communication, and more particularly, to a connection control method in a case where a connection request is received from another apparatus while connected to a certain apparatus.

  In recent years, short-range wireless communication has been widely performed between information processing devices and peripheral devices, mobile phones, in-vehicle devices, and the like. Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is a representative short-range wireless communication standard, performs communication using a standardized protocol for each type of device called a profile. For this reason, when making a Bluetooth connection between devices, it is necessary for both to correspond to a common profile.

  The Bluetooth connection is limited to a one-to-one connection between two profiles, but a single device may support a plurality of profiles. In this case, a Bluetooth connection is made with a plurality of devices at the same time. be able to. The plurality of profiles may correspond to a plurality of profiles of the same type or may correspond to different types of profiles. Further, when establishing a Bluetooth connection for the first time between certain devices, a process called pairing for registering each other is required.

JP 2009-253602 A

  Regardless of the number of supported profiles, when a Bluetooth connection is established with a certain device, the user must manually disconnect the Bluetooth connection with the connected device once to establish another device's Bluetooth connection. And must be connected to other devices. For this reason, it cannot be said that the operability at the time of connecting another device while connecting to a certain device is sufficient.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve convenience when a wireless communication apparatus is connected to another apparatus while connected to a certain apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, when a wireless communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention receives a connection request from another device during wireless connection with one or more devices, the wireless communication device And a communication unit that releases the connection state and wirelessly connects to the other device.

  Here, when the communication unit receives a connection request from the other device during predetermined communication with one of the one or a plurality of devices that are wirelessly connected, the communication unit The connection request from the other device can be rejected while maintaining the connection state with the other device.

  In addition, the wireless communication unit can reconnect to the one or more devices when wirelessly connected to the first or more devices after wireless connection to the other device.

  In addition, the communication unit cancels a connection state with the one or more devices, wirelessly connects with the other devices, and then wirelessly connects with some of the first or more devices. If possible, reconnection can be performed in descending order of priority set according to a predetermined rule.

  At this time, the communication unit can set the priority order so that the order of the latest connected device is higher. Further, when another device is connected when a certain device is disconnected, the priority may be set so that the other device has a higher priority.

  Here, the case where the wireless connection is possible can be a case where there is an unused protocol which can be connected to the first or plural devices.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the connection control method in wireless communication according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured such that when a connection request is received from another device during wireless connection with the one or more devices, the one or more devices are connected. The connection state with the other device is canceled and wireless connection with the other device is performed.

  In order to solve the above problem, when a computer program according to the third aspect of the present invention receives a connection request from another device during wireless connection with one or a plurality of devices, the computer program according to the first aspect of the present invention Alternatively, the connection state with a plurality of devices is canceled, and the step of performing wireless connection with the other device is executed.

  According to the present invention, in a wireless communication device, it is possible to improve convenience when connecting to another device while connected to a certain device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the basic operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of receiving the Bluetooth connection request from a mobile telephone during a Bluetooth connection with another apparatus. It is a figure explaining the 1st pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a figure explaining the 2nd pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a figure explaining the 3rd pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a figure explaining the continuation of the 3rd pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a figure explaining the 4th pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a figure explaining the 5th pattern of the specific operation example of a vehicle-mounted apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the automatic connection operation | movement with another apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the management of the priority list which the connection management part of a Bluetooth communication part performs. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the priority list management which a connection management part performs. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the priority list management which a connection management part performs.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the wireless communication system 10 includes an in-vehicle device 100 and a mobile phone 200. Note that a plurality of mobile phones 200 can be provided. However, the present invention is not limited to the wireless communication system using the in-vehicle device (wireless communication device) 100 and the mobile phone 200, and can be applied to a wireless communication system between various devices. In the following description, as an example, an in-vehicle device 100 that is an in-vehicle wireless communication device will be described.

  The in-vehicle device 100 and the mobile phone 200 perform wireless communication at a relatively short distance through Bluetooth connection. However, a system that performs wireless communication according to a standard other than Bluetooth may be used. The in-vehicle device 100 has a hands-free function, and enables a hands-free call using the mobile phone 200 connected via Bluetooth.

  The in-vehicle device 100 includes a control unit 110, an operation reception unit 120, a display unit 130, a storage unit 140, an audio processing unit 150, and a Bluetooth communication unit 160. However, the configuration and function of the in-vehicle device 100 can be appropriately changed according to the model, application, and the like of the in-vehicle device 100.

  The control part 110 is comprised by CPU etc. which operate | move according to a control program, and controls the various operation | movement in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 100. FIG. The operation reception unit 120 includes operation keys, an operation panel, and the like, and receives operations from the user. The display unit 130 includes a liquid crystal display device and the like, and displays an operation menu and information related to various processes. The storage unit 140 includes volatile and nonvolatile storage devices, and stores information necessary for processing by the control unit 110 and information necessary for communication processing. The voice input / output unit 150 includes a microphone, a speaker, and the like, and performs voice input / output in a hands-free call or the like.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 160 is a functional block that controls communication using Bluetooth, and includes one or a plurality of profiles 161 and a connection management unit 162. The profile 161 includes an HFP (Hands-Free Profile) for realizing hands-free communication. The number of HFP and other profiles will be described later by dividing them into patterns. The connection management unit 162 manages and controls connection processing with other devices using Bluetooth. In particular, in the present embodiment, management control is performed for connection processing when a connection request is received from another device during Bluetooth connection with a certain device, and automatic connection processing with another device when the in-vehicle device 100 is activated. .

  The mobile phone 200 can use a general mobile phone having a Bluetooth communication function, and includes a control unit 210, a call / communication processing unit 220, an operation receiving unit 230, a display unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a Bluetooth communication unit 260. It has.

  The control unit 210 controls various operations in the mobile phone 200. The call / communication processing unit 220 communicates with the base station and performs normal telephone function processing such as voice call / data communication. The operation receiving unit 230 includes operation keys and the like, and receives an operation from the user. The display unit 240 displays information related to the operation menu and various processes. The storage unit 250 includes volatile and non-volatile storage devices, and stores information necessary for processing by the control unit 210 and information necessary for call / communication processing.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 260 is a functional block that controls communication by Bluetooth, and includes an HFP as a profile 261 for realizing hands-free communication.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device 100 in the present embodiment will be described. First, a basic operation when a Bluetooth connection request is received from the mobile phone 200 during Bluetooth connection with another device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as an example, a connection request is received from the mobile phone B 200b during the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a.

  When a Bluetooth connection request is received from the mobile phone B 200b during Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a (S101: Yes), it is determined whether the connected mobile phone A 200a is in a disconnectable state (S102). Here, a criterion for determining whether or not the cutting is possible is determined in advance. For example, if the mobile phone A 200a is in a standby state or the like, it can be disconnected, and if the mobile phone A 200a is in a hands-free call state or the like via the in-vehicle device 100, it can be disconnected. Further, if the in-vehicle device 100 is simply acquiring information such as a phone book from the mobile phone A 200a, it can be disconnected.

  As a result, if the mobile phone A 200a is not in a disconnectable state (S102: No), the connection request from the mobile phone B 200b is rejected (S104). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the call state and the like from being disconnected. If the mobile phone B 200b uses a communication protocol that allows the connection request state to be continued, the connection request may be made to wait until the mobile phone A 200a becomes in a disconnectable state.

  On the other hand, if the mobile phone A 200a is in a disconnectable state (S102: Yes), the connection with the mobile phone A 200a is automatically disconnected (S103). This saves the user from manually disconnecting the connection. At this time, the user may be notified that the connection with the mobile phone A 200a is automatically disconnected, or permission may be requested for automatic disconnection.

  When the connection with the mobile phone A 200a is automatically disconnected, if there is a need for pairing with the mobile phone B 200b that has accepted the connection request (S105: Yes), pairing is performed according to a predetermined procedure (S106). Here, the pairing is a connection setting performed between devices connected for the first time.

  When the mobile phone B 200b has already been paired (S105: No) or when the pairing is completed, a Bluetooth connection is made with the mobile phone B 200b (S107). As described above, in this embodiment, when a connection request is received from another device during connection, the connection with the currently connected device is automatically disconnected unless the disconnection is possible, and the connection with the device that requested the connection is established. To do. For this reason, it is possible to save the user from manually disconnecting the connected device, and the operability of the in-vehicle device 100 can be improved.

  The in-vehicle device 100 reconnects with the mobile phone A100a if the automatically disconnected mobile phone A100a can be simultaneously connected (S108). This saves the user from having to manually reconnect. Here, the state where simultaneous connection is possible is a case where a profile that can be connected to the mobile phone A 100a is empty. For example, when the in-vehicle device 100 has two HFPs, after the mobile phone B 200b and the HFP are connected, the mobile phone A 100a can be reconnected with the other HFP.

  Next, a specific operation example when the in-vehicle device 100 according to the present embodiment receives a Bluetooth connection request from the mobile phone 200 during the Bluetooth connection with another device will be described by dividing it into patterns. In the following example, it is assumed that the connected device is in a disconnectable state. In addition, it is assumed that each device has been paired with the in-vehicle device 100.

  First, as a first pattern, as shown in FIG. 3A, an operation when the in-vehicle device 100 corresponding to one HFP receives a connection request from the mobile phone B 200b during the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a. explain.

  In this case, the in-vehicle device 100 automatically disconnects the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the Bluetooth connection is established with the cellular phone B200b that has requested connection. Since the in-vehicle device 100 corresponds to one HFP, there is no HFP available and reconnection with the mobile phone A 200a is not performed.

  Next, as a second pattern, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the in-vehicle device 100 corresponding to two HFPs receives a connection request from the mobile phone B 200b during the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a. Will be described.

  In this case, the in-vehicle device 100 automatically disconnects the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the Bluetooth connection is established with the cellular phone B200b that has requested connection. Since the in-vehicle device 100 supports two HFPs, one HFP is vacant. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4D, the mobile phone A 200a is reconnected.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, as the third pattern, the in-vehicle device 100 that supports two HFPs accepts a connection request from the mobile phone C200c during the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A200a and the mobile phone B200b. The operation in the case of failure will be described.

  In this case, the in-vehicle device 100 automatically disconnects the Bluetooth connection with the mobile phone A 200a and the mobile phone B 200b as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, a Bluetooth connection is established with the mobile phone B200c that has made a connection request. Since the in-vehicle device 100 supports two HFPs, one HFP is vacant. For this reason, the mobile phone A200a or the mobile phone B200b is reconnected. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the mobile phone A 200a is reconnected.

  Which mobile phone 200 is connected is determined according to a predetermined rule. For example, it is possible to reconnect with the person who connected first, reconnect with the person who made the call last, or reconnect with the person who performed the disconnection process later. Further, as will be described later, the mobile phone 200 having a higher priority may be reconnected.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, as the fourth pattern, the in-vehicle device 100 corresponding to one HFP and one A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) is connected to the audio device X300 and Bluetooth with A2DP. The operation when a connection request is received from the mobile phone A 200a compatible with HFP will be described.

  In this case, the in-vehicle device 100 automatically disconnects the Bluetooth connection with the audio device X300 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, a Bluetooth connection is established with the mobile phone A 200a that has made a connection request by using HFP. Since the in-vehicle device 100 supports one HFP and one A2DP, one A2DP is free. For this reason, as shown in FIG.7 (d), it reconnects with acoustic apparatus X300 and A2DP.

  Next, as a fifth pattern, as shown in FIG. 8A, an in-vehicle device 100 corresponding to one HFP and one A2DP has a cellular phone A200a corresponding to one HFP and one A2DP, an HFP, An operation when a connection request is received from the mobile phone B 200b compatible with HFP during Bluetooth connection with A2DP will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B, the in-vehicle device 100 automatically disconnects the Bluetooth connection by the HFP and A2DP with the mobile phone A200a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), Bluetooth connection is established with the cellular phone B200b that has made a connection request using HFP. Since the in-vehicle device 100 supports one HFP and one A2DP, one A2DP is free. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8D, reconnection is performed between the mobile phone A200a and the A2DP.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device (on-vehicle device 100) in the present embodiment, when a new connection request is made, a new connection request is made in a state where the connection of the device connected at that time is once disconnected. Since connection with a portable terminal is performed, connection with a new portable terminal can be performed stably.

  Next, as an operation of the in-vehicle device 100 in the present embodiment, an automatic connection process with another device at the time of startup or the like will be described. The Bluetooth communication unit 160 of the in-vehicle device 100 attempts automatic connection with another device connected in the past based on the activation of the in-vehicle device 100 or an automatic connection instruction from the user. Further, automatic connection may be attempted even when a connected device is disconnected. Automatic connection with other devices is performed in accordance with the priority order managed by the Bluetooth communication unit 160. By trying the automatic connection according to the priority order, user convenience can be further enhanced. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic connection operation with another apparatus.

  Here, it is assumed that the in-vehicle device 100 has been connected to a plurality of mobile phones 200 in the past, and the Bluetooth communication unit 160 of the in-vehicle device 100 supports a plurality of HFPs as the profile 161.

  Further, the connection management unit 162 of the Bluetooth communication unit 160 manages the priority list of 1 to N, and among the mobile phones 200 that have been connected in the past, the most recently connected N units are the priority list. Shall be registered. How to determine the priority order will be described later.

  First, 1 is set to the variable M (S201). Here, the variable M corresponds to the priority order to be processed. In other words, processing is performed in descending order of priority. Then, the mobile phone 200 registered in the priority order M is searched and detected (S202: Yes), and the mobile phone 200 with the priority order M is connected (S203).

  When all the HFPs are already connected as a result of the connection with the mobile phone 200 having the priority order M (S204: Yes), the automatic connection process is terminated. In addition, the automatic connection process is also ended when the process is completed up to the Nth priority list (S205: Yes) regardless of the presence or absence of detection.

  In other cases, M + 1 is substituted for M, and the search process for the mobile phone 200 with the next priority is performed (S202). As a result, the mobile phone 200 can be automatically connected in descending order of priority.

  Next, management of the priority list performed by the connection management unit 162 of the Bluetooth communication unit 160 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the devices to be connected are more generalized and described using the devices X and Y.

  When the in-vehicle device 100 is connected to a certain device X (S301: Yes), the connection management unit 162 sets the priority of the device X as the highest priority and lowers the ranking of other devices (S302). That is, when the device X is connected, the priority order of the device X is the highest. This is because the latest connected device X is considered to be used by the user at the next startup. Further, by lowering the order of other devices as they are, the permutation itself of the other devices is maintained. At this time, if the number of devices that can be registered in the priority list is exceeded, the lowest device is removed from the priority list. Note that at least the priority of a newly connected device may be set higher than that of a device that has been disconnected.

  In addition, when the in-vehicle device 100 is disconnected from a certain device Y (S303: Yes), the connection management unit 162 determines whether another device is connected (S304). As a result, if there is no other connected device (S304: No), the priority order is not changed. On the other hand, if there is another connected device (S304: Yes), the priority of the other connected device is set to the highest priority, and the ranking of the other devices is lowered (S305). This is because the other connected devices are devices that have been connected until more recently, and are considered to be used by the user at the next startup. When the user operates the device Y and intentionally disconnects the device Y, the priority order of the device Y may be made the lowest order or may be removed from the priority order list. As a result, it is possible to prevent an apparatus that is determined to be unnecessary by the user from being automatically connected. It should be noted that at least if the device is intentionally disconnected by an operation by the user, the priority order of the device that has been intentionally disconnected should be significantly lower than when the device is unintentionally disconnected. Good.

  The above processing is repeated until the in-vehicle device 100 is powered off (S306). As a result, the priority order of the devices connected until recently becomes higher in the priority order list, and the priority order according to the disconnection order is given.

  Next, a specific example of priority list management performed by the connection management unit 162 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, “deviceA”, “deviceB”... Indicate devices to be connected, and the connection management unit 162 manages priority levels 1 to 5. Also, the Bluetooth communication unit 160 can be connected to a maximum of two devices at the same time, and the devices enclosed in the double frame are in a connected state.

  First, the example shown in FIG. 11A will be described. In this example, it is assumed that “deviceA” and “deviceB” are in a connected state at P11 immediately before the power-off of the in-vehicle device 100. After that, when the vehicle-mounted device 100 is activated at P12, it is assumed that “device A” with priority 1 is detected and automatically connected. At this time, the connected “device A” maintains the priority level 1.

  Next, it is assumed that “deviceB” of priority 2 is detected at P13 and an automatic connection is established. As a result, the newly connected “deviceB” is set as the priority order 1 and the priority order of other devices including “deviceA” is lowered.

  Next, the example shown in FIG. 11B will be described. In this example, it is assumed that “deviceA” and “deviceB” are in a connected state at P21 immediately before the power-off of the in-vehicle device 100. After that, when the vehicle-mounted device 100 is activated at P22, it is assumed that “device A” with priority 1 is detected and automatically connected. At this time, the connected “device A” maintains the priority level 1.

  Next, it is assumed that “deviceB” with priority 2 is searched in P23 but is not detected, and “deviceC” with priority 3 is detected and automatically connected in P24. As a result, the newly connected “deviceC” is set to the priority order 1, and the priority order of other devices including “deviceA” is lowered.

  Next, the example shown in FIG. In this example, it is assumed that in “P31”, “deviceA” out of “deviceA” and “deviceB” in the connected state is manually disconnected. Since “deviceB” is being connected when “deviceA” is disconnected, “deviceB” is set to priority 1 in P32, and the priority of other devices including “deviceA” is lowered. As described above, the priority of “deviceA” intentionally disconnected may be further lowered or excluded from the priority list.

  Thereafter, when “deviceC” is manually connected, in P33, the newly connected “deviceC” is set as priority 1, and the priority of other devices including “deviceB” being connected is lowered.

  Next, the example shown in FIG. 12B will be described. In this example, there is a connection request from another device during connection with the two devices described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and the automatic connection after the two devices are automatically disconnected is an example.

  Assume that there is a connection request from “deviceC” while connecting to “deviceA” and “deviceB” in P41. At this time, it is assumed that “deviceA” has priority 1 and “deviceB” has priority 2.

  Then, the connection management unit 162 automatically disconnects “deviceA” and “deviceB” in P42. Next, in “P43”, “deviceC” is connected, and the newly connected “deviceC” is set as priority 1, and the priority of other devices is lowered. In this state, since priority 2 with the next highest priority is “deviceA”, the connection management unit 162 automatically connects with “deviceA” in P44. Thereafter, the reconnected “device A” may be set to the priority order 1 or “device C” may be kept the priority order 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless communication system 100 ... In-vehicle apparatus (wireless communication apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Control part 120 ... Operation reception part 130 ... Display part 140 ... Memory | storage part 150 ... Audio | voice processing part 150 ... Voice input / output part 160 ... Bluetooth communication part 161 ... Profile 162 ... Connection management part 200 ... Mobile phone 210 ... Control part 220 ... Call / communication processing unit 230 ... Operation receiving unit 240 ... Display unit 250 ... Storage unit 260 ... Bluetooth communication unit 261 ... Profile 300 ... Sound device

Claims (9)

  When a connection request is received from another device during wireless connection with one or a plurality of devices, a communication unit that releases the connection state with the one or more devices and wirelessly connects to the other device is provided. A wireless communication apparatus. The communication unit is
When a connection request is received from the other device during predetermined communication with any one of the one or more devices that are wirelessly connected, the connection status with the one or more devices is changed. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus maintains and rejects a connection request from the other apparatus. The communication unit is
3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when wirelessly connected to the first device or the plurality of devices after wireless connection to the other device, reconnecting to the one or more devices. Wireless communication device. The communication unit is
After releasing the connection state with the one or a plurality of devices and wirelessly connecting with the other devices, if the wireless connection with a part of the first or a plurality of devices is possible, The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein reconnection is performed in descending order of priority set according to a predetermined rule. The communication unit is
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the priority order is set so that the order of the latest connected apparatus is higher. The communication unit is
The wireless communication device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when another device is disconnected, if another device is connected, priority is set so that the other device has a higher priority.   The case where the wireless connection is possible is a case where there is an unused protocol which can be connected to the first device or the plurality of devices. Wireless communication device.   When a connection request is received from another device during wireless connection with one or more devices, the connection state with the one or more devices is canceled and wireless connection is established with the other device. A connection control method in wireless communication. To the computer of the wireless communication device,
When a connection request is received from another device during wireless connection with one or a plurality of devices, the connection state with the one or a plurality of devices is canceled and a step of performing a wireless connection with the other device is executed. A computer program characterized by the above.