JP2014187681A - Cordless telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cordless telephone system having an information terminal and a slave unit connected to each other via a predetermined interface to allow the information terminal to connect to a telephone line via the slave unit and a master unit and to allow the information terminal to send and receive voice data for long period of time by largely reducing the power consumption during a standby mode of the slave unit.SOLUTION: The cordless telephone system includes: a master unit 100 connected to a telephone line; a slave unit 202 that sends and receives radio waves with the master unit 100 via a radio channel; and an information terminal 300 which is physically and integrally connected to the slave unit 202. The slave unit 202 sets reception timing asynchronously with transmission timing of the master unit 100 during a standby mode on the basis of the operation made by a user on the information terminal 300 and establishes synchronism of sending and receiving with the master unit 100 when transmitting and receiving via the telephone line.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cordless telephone system capable of connecting an information terminal such as a smartphone to a telephone line.

  In recent years, users who use information terminals represented by smartphones are increasing. This type of information terminal is capable of making calls and connecting to the Internet using a wireless line such as 3G (3rd Generation) or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). On the other hand, a wired telephone line is often provided in a house or the like, but a user of an information terminal can make a call via a 3G wireless line even in a place where such a telephone line is provided. However, there is a problem that communication / call costs are increased.

  For such a problem, for example, an external interface connected to the control unit is provided in the battery box mounting part of the mobile phone, the cordless radio unit, the cordless antenna, the cordless battery part in the battery box mounting part, There has been disclosed a cellular phone that includes an adapter-side interface that is joined to an external interface and that is configured to be detachable from a cordless adapter that performs transmission and reception with a base unit using radio waves (Patent Document 1).

  A first transmitter / receiver using a first frequency used in a cordless telephone; and a second transmitter / receiver using a second frequency assigned by a general cellular phone. There is disclosed a mobile phone comprising switching means for switching the frequency and transmitting, and monitoring means for simultaneously monitoring the first and second frequencies of the received radio waves of the first and second transceivers (Patent Document 2). .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-334133 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-244088

  When using a cordless phone system to provide a smartphone with the function of connecting to a telephone line, a battery-powered slave unit that relays between the smartphone and the master unit is configured, and the user attaches the slave unit to the smartphone. Then, the use mode to carry is conceivable. In such a case, considering the portability of the smartphone, it is desirable to make the slave unit as small as possible. However, since the battery capacity is limited by the miniaturization of the slave unit, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit.

  On the other hand, the structure which supplies electric power to the subunit | mobile_unit from the battery of a smart phone is also considered. Recently, however, it is an important issue that the battery of a smartphone is consumed quickly. That is, a smartphone has a processing capability comparable to a PC (personal computer) and consumes a large amount of power because it has a relatively large image plane. If the handset tries to receive power from the smartphone, there is a risk of further accelerating the battery consumption of the smartphone. Therefore, even in such an aspect, it is necessary to significantly reduce the power consumption of the slave unit.

  The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 relays between a mobile phone and a base unit by a cordless adapter that is detachably mounted on the mobile phone. The detailed operation of the cordless adapter that is a slave unit is as follows. It is not disclosed, and it is difficult to reduce power consumption by the configuration disclosed in the literature.

  In addition, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 says that “the first and second frequencies of the received radio wave are simultaneously monitored”, the mobile phone eventually drives a plurality of transceivers at the same time. Rather, there is a possibility that power consumption is increased.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to connect the information terminal and the slave unit with a predetermined interface, and to connect the information terminal to the slave unit and the master unit. To provide a cordless telephone system that can be connected to a telephone line via a mobile phone, greatly reduce the power consumption when the slave is in standby, and can transmit and receive voice data using an information terminal for a longer period of time It is in.

  The cordless telephone system of the present invention includes a master unit connected to a telephone line, a slave unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the master unit, and an information terminal that is physically connected to the slave unit. And the cordless telephone system is configured based on a user operation on the information terminal, the slave unit sets a reception timing asynchronously with the transmission timing of the master unit at the time of standby, and When sending or receiving a call via a telephone line, synchronization of transmission and reception is established with the base unit.

  According to the present invention, since the reception timing of the slave unit is asynchronous with the transmission timing, the slave unit does not receive any control data from the master unit during the asynchronous period, that is, the standby period, and is simply intermittent reception. Since only the operation is executed, it is possible to greatly reduce the power consumption of the slave unit connected to the information terminal.

Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the main | base station in the cordless telephone system of 1st Embodiment, a 1st subunit | mobile_unit, a 2nd subunit | mobile_unit, and an information terminal. (A) is the whole perspective view of the main | base station of the cordless telephone system of 1st Embodiment, (b) is the whole perspective view of a 1st subunit | mobile_unit, (c) is the whole perspective view of a 2nd subunit | mobile_unit, d) is an overall perspective view of the information terminal. Block diagram showing the outline of the base unit of the cordless telephone system The block block diagram which shows the outline of the 1st cordless handset of the cordless telephone system Block diagram showing the outline of the second handset of the cordless telephone system Block diagram showing the outline of the information terminal Configuration diagram showing the relationship between software and hardware of information terminals Flow chart explaining outgoing and incoming call operations in information terminal Explanatory drawing explaining the frame structure of DECT Explanatory drawing which shows the transmission / reception content of the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit and the main | base station at the time of transmitting from an information terminal Explanatory drawing which shows the transmission / reception content of the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit and a main | base station at the time of an incoming call to an information terminal The block block diagram which shows the outline of the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit of the cordless telephone system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  The present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, includes a master unit connected to a telephone line, a slave unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the master unit, and a physically integrated unit with the slave unit. A cordless telephone system comprising: a connected information terminal; and based on a user operation on the information terminal, the slave unit sets a reception timing asynchronously with a transmission timing of the master unit when waiting. In addition, when sending or receiving a call via the telephone line, synchronization of transmission and reception is established with the base unit.

  As a result, the reception timing of the slave unit is made asynchronous with the transmission timing, so that the slave unit does not receive any control data from the master unit during the asynchronous period, that is, the standby period, and performs only intermittent reception operation. Therefore, the power consumption of the slave unit connected to the information terminal can be greatly reduced.

  In the present invention, the master unit transmits and receives voice data to and from the information terminal when the information terminal starts a call via the telephone line.

  Thus, based on the user's operation, the information terminal can make a call via the telephone line.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship among the base unit 100, the first handset 201, the second handset 202, and the information terminal 300 in the cordless telephone system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the cordless telephone system, one master unit 100 and, for example, two slave units 200 (first slave unit 201 and second slave unit 202. Hereinafter, the slave units 200 are not distinguished from each other. Is called a handset 200). The number of slave units 200 is not limited to two, and for example, a cordless telephone system may be configured by three or more units.

  Base unit 100 is connected to a telephone line (wired public line) (not shown) by cable 1a, and exchanges voice data with other telephones via the telephone line.

  Master device 100 communicates with first slave device 201 via a wireless line, and transmits and receives audio data and the like between master device 100 and first slave device 201. As a result, the first slave unit 201 can access the telephone line via the master unit 100. On the other hand, the second slave unit 202 (corresponding to “slave unit” in the claims) transmits / receives voice data and the like to / from the master unit 100 in the same manner as the first slave unit 201, while Bluetooth (registered trademark) ) Interface, which is connected to the information terminal 300. Bluetooth (registered trademark) is one of the architectures when communicating between many terminals. It is a communication method and model for peers (peers) to communicate with each other (peer-to-peer). Is said to be close to USB (Universal Serial Bus). Bluetooth (registered trademark) uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band, and performs communication between devices by time division multiplexing.

  Hereinafter, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is referred to as “short-range wireless communication” or “short-range wireless”. Further, the USB is referred to as a “serial bus”, and further, a component related to the serial bus is referred to as a “serial bus communication unit”, for example.

  The information terminal 300 transmits / receives voice data and the like to / from the second slave unit 202 via the short-range wireless communication interface, and the voice data and the like are further transmitted / received between the second slave unit 202 and the master unit 100. As a result, the information terminal 300 is connected to the telephone line via the second slave unit 202 and the master unit 100. That is, the information terminal 300 makes a call to the telephone line and makes an incoming call through the telephone line. In the following, “outgoing” refers to a so-called call, and “incoming” refers to a so-called incoming call.

  2A is an overall perspective view of the base unit 100 of the cordless telephone system of the first embodiment, FIG. 2B is an overall perspective view of the first handset 201, and FIG. 2C is a view of the second handset 202. FIG. 4D is an overall perspective view of the information terminal 300. FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the master unit 100, the first slave unit 201, the second slave unit 202, and the cordless telephone system according to the first embodiment, and An outline of the information terminal 300 will be described.

  In the first embodiment, a digital cordless telephone system that mainly conforms to the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) system will be described as an example. DECT is a standard for digital cordless telephones established in 2011. It uses a frequency of 1.9 GHz (1,895,616 KHz to 1,902,528 KHz), and the communication method is TDMA-WB (time division multiple). Connection method). In DECT, communication troubles due to radio wave interference with other devices can be reduced, and 1.9 GHz, which is a frequency band to be used, does not interfere with a wireless LAN or a microwave oven. DECT is also known as a method capable of communicating broadband audio data and the like, and the frequency band can be used efficiently by constantly monitoring the usage status of the frequency channel and selecting the optimum channel by the apparatus itself.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the user uses the display unit 6 and the operation unit 7 of the base unit 100 to call the telephone number of the other party and input a key as in the case of a normal landline telephone, Voice data is exchanged with other telephones connected to the line. The base unit 100 is provided with a microphone 8 for inputting the voice of the speaker and a speaker 9 for reproducing the voice of the other party, so that the user can talk with the other party in a hands-free state. As described above, the parent device 100 is not provided with a so-called handset, but may be provided with a wired or wireless handset.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, also in the first slave unit 201, the user uses the display unit 14 and the operation unit 15 to key-in the telephone number of the other party to call. The first handset 201 is also provided with a microphone 16 that acquires sound to be transmitted, a call speaker 17 that outputs sound obtained by demodulating the received signal, and a ringer speaker 18. The user transmits and receives audio data via the parent device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the second slave unit 202 does not have a user interface such as a display unit or an operation unit other than the switch 58, and the audio data input / output from the information terminal 300 described later is exclusively used as the master unit. It is specialized in the function to relay to 100. As will be described later, since the power consumption of the second slave unit 202 during standby is extremely small, the battery 58 can be driven for a long period of time, so the switch 58 may not be provided. Note that the antenna (second slave antenna) 53 in the second slave unit 202 and the antenna (short-distance wireless communication antenna) 57 in the information terminal 300 are both built in the housing.

  The second slave unit 202 is configured to be particularly small so that it can be easily carried by the user (specific size is about 50 × 25 × 7 mm). As shown in the figure, the second handset 202 may be attached to the information terminal 300 using a strap or the like. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to carry the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit 202 with the information terminal 300 easily. Moreover, it is good also as a utilization aspect which puts only the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit 202 in a bag.

  As shown in FIG. 2D, the information terminal 300 includes a touch panel 42, a call speaker 43, a microphone 44, an operation unit 45, a camera 46, an antenna 47, and a ringer speaker 48. The However, the antenna 47 is built in the information terminal 300, and the ringer speaker 48 is disposed on the back surface of the information terminal 300 and is not shown in the drawing.

  In the first embodiment, a so-called smartphone will be exemplified and described as the information terminal 300. The above-described components represent the user interface of the information terminal 300, and the user of the information terminal 300 uses the call speaker 43 and the microphone 44 to make a call with another person via the 3G mobile wireless line. Further, the user takes a still image or a moving image using the camera 46. In these normal operations, the user mainly uses the touch panel 42, but in some operations, an operation unit 45 configured by physical switches is used.

  Base unit 100 includes antenna (base unit antenna) 5, and antenna (first slave unit antenna) 13 provided in first slave unit 201 or antenna (second slave unit antenna) provided in second slave unit 202. ) 53, digital audio data superimposed on a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency is mutually transmitted and received. As a result, the parent device 100, the first child device 201, and the second child device 202 transmit and receive audio data and the like wirelessly.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 to activate predetermined application software, the information terminal 300 is connected to the telephone line via the second slave unit 202 and the master unit 100 described above. When the master device 100 receives an incoming call, the fact is notified to the information terminal 300, and the information terminal 300 rings the ringer speaker 48 to inform the user. In addition, voice data is similarly exchanged between the first slave unit 201 and the second slave unit 202 described above, and the user can make a call between the first slave unit 201 and the information terminal 300. .

  FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the base unit 100 of the cordless telephone system. Base unit 100 includes antenna 5, display unit 6 as a user interface, operation unit 7, monitoring instruction button 7 a, microphone 8, and speaker 9, and telephone line interface 1 as an external interface. It connects to a telephone line via the interface 1 and the cable 1a. Further, the base unit 100 is provided with a storage unit 3 composed of a flash memory or the like. For example, when the base unit 100 is used as an answering machine, it is transmitted from the other party. The voice data is digitized and stored.

  In addition, the base unit 100 is provided with a signal processing unit (control means) 10, and the signal processing unit 10 includes an analog multiplexer 10a, a codec 10b, a CPU block 10f, an encoding / decoding unit 10d, a frame processing unit 10e, and a CPU block. The digital speech processor (speech processing device) 10c and the amplifier module 25 are mounted on 10f. The signal processing unit 10 controls the entire base unit 100 as a control unit. Hereinafter, components of the signal processing unit 10 will be described.

  The analog multiplexer 10a has one input / output channel for an audio signal input via the telephone line interface 1, an audio signal received by the microphone 8, and an audio signal output to the speaker 9 (both audio signals are analog signals). Select a channel.

  The codec 10b is a so-called audio codec, and specifically includes a DA converter and an AD converter that mutually convert a digital signal and an analog signal. The codec 10b converts the analog audio signal input to the base unit 100 via the telephone line interface 1 and the analog audio signal acquired by the microphone 8 into digital audio data by the AD converter. On the other hand, digital audio data that has been digitally processed by a digital speech processor 10c described later is converted into an analog audio signal by a DA converter by the codec 10b, and this analog audio signal is output from the speaker 9.

  The CPU block 10f includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, a RAM (read only memory) as a work memory, a bus that couples these, and the like. The operation of the entire machine 100 is controlled. The CPU block 10f is equipped with a digital speech processor 10c that executes audio data processing. The digital speech processor 10c cancels noise or echo, or emphasizes a specific voice frequency for digital voice data AD-converted by the codec 10b or digital voice data decoded by an encoding / decoding unit 10d described later. , Performing encryption / decryption.

  Note that these audio data processing is generally based on filtering processing by convolution operation, and processing may be performed by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) specialized for these signal processing. The CPU (not shown) and the digital speech processor 10c may be configured by a single processor. Further, the entire signal processing unit 10 may be configured by one DSP.

  The encoding / decoding unit 10d encodes a digital signal used for wireless communication (transmission) via the antenna 5 out of the output of the digital speech processor 10c, and on the other hand, a signal received through the antenna 5 (here, , Already digitized). The encoding / decoding unit 10d employs, for example, an ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) method.

  The frame processing unit 10e includes a TDD / TDMA (Time Division Duplex / Time Division Multiple Access) processor (not shown). The TDD / TDMA processor divides a periodically provided frame into units called slots (channels) to enable a plurality of communications at the same frequency (time division multiple access). Thus, since the same frequency is shared and data is transmitted and received in a very short time, it is possible to make it appear as if transmission and reception are being executed substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, in TDMA, by using together FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) which divides | segments a frequency band, many channels can be ensured and frequency interference can be avoided. Thus, the frame processing unit 10e periodically switches between transmission (Tx) and reception (Rx) within a short time. The structure of the frame used in DECT will be described later.

  The frame processing unit 10e includes a DA converter and an AD converter (not shown). The frame processing unit 10e converts a digital signal (transmission signal) input from the digital speech processor 10c via the encoding / decoding unit 10d into an analog signal by a DA converter and outputs the analog signal to the amplifier module 25. An analog signal (received signal) input from the LNA 36 of the wireless unit 12 via the amplifier module 25 is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter and output to the encoding / decoding unit 10d. As described above, an analog signal interface including the amplifier module 25 is configured between the frame processing unit 10 e and the radio unit 12.

  In the wireless unit 12, the transmission signal (analog signal) output from the amplifier module 25 is emitted from the antenna 5 through a transmission circuit (not shown), and the reception signal (analog signal) received by the antenna 5 is not shown. To the amplifier module 25.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the first handset 201 of the cordless telephone system. The first handset 201 includes a display unit 14 for confirming a destination number at the time of incoming call and dial information at the time of outgoing (call), an operation unit 15 for inputting dial information, and the voice of the speaker. Microphone 16 to be input, speaker 17 for calling to reproduce the voice of the other party to be called, storage unit 11 storing speed dial information, voice guide, and the like, speaker for ringer 18, parent device 100 and other child devices 200 ( It comprises an antenna 13, a signal processing unit 10, and a radio unit 12 that transmit and receive radio waves to and from the second slave unit 202).

  The first slave unit 201 is generally designed to be small in order to have portability, but the basic function is the same as that of the master unit 100 described with reference to FIG. That is, the configurations and functions of the signal processing unit 10 and the radio unit 12 of the first slave unit 201 are substantially the same between the signal processing unit 10 and the radio unit 12 described in the base unit 100. Therefore, the detailed description in the 1st subunit | mobile_unit 201 is abbreviate | omitted.

  However, the frame processing unit 10e of the signal processing unit 10 of the first slave unit 201 is provided with a synchronization control unit 10s. The synchronization control unit 10 s matches the transmission timing of the parent device 100 and the reception timing of the first child device 201. That is, for example, at the beginning of power-on, the first slave unit 201 autonomously starts a reception operation at a predetermined timing, and at that time, the synchronization control unit 10s determines the synchronization request (synchronized timing from the master unit 100). The relative timing is included as data), the reception timing is determined so as to correct the shift, and the frame processing unit 10e performs signal processing hardware according to the corrected reception timing. Mediation. Thus, the reception timing of the first slave unit 201 is measured in accordance with the transmission timing of the slot during one frame period in which the master unit 100 identifies and transmits the first slave unit 201.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of the second handset 202 of the cordless telephone system. As shown in FIG. 5, the second slave unit 202 includes a storage unit 11, a radio unit 12, an antenna 53, a switch 58, a power supply unit 59, timer units 60 and 62, a first clock 61, 2 clocks 63, a signal processing unit 10, a wireless unit 12, and a short-range wireless communication unit 54. The configuration of the signal processing unit 10 and the radio unit 12 of the second slave unit 202 is the same as that of the first slave unit 201.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 54 includes a wireless control unit 54a, a control data buffer 54b, an audio data transmission buffer 54c, and an audio data reception buffer 54d. The short-range wireless communication unit 54 exchanges control data with the signal processing unit 10 and inputs voice data for transmission output from the digital speech processor 10c. Conversely, the voice data received by the radio control unit 54a is converted into digital speech. Output to the processor 10c.

  The audio data transmitted from the second handset 202 to the information terminal 300 is temporarily stored in the audio data transmission buffer 54c, while the audio data received from the information terminal 300 is temporarily stored in the audio data reception buffer 54d. The radio control unit 54a extracts the audio data stored in the audio data transmission buffer 54c together with the control data stored in the control data buffer 54b, performs analog modulation, and transmits the analog data from the antenna 57. Radio control unit 54a receives voice data and control data transmitted from antenna 47 of information terminal 300 via antenna 57, digitizes them, and stores them in control data buffer 54b and voice data reception buffer 54d. To do. As described above, the short-range wireless communication unit 54 has a function of transmitting and receiving voice data and the like between the second slave unit 202 and the information terminal 300 on the second slave unit 202 side. That is, the second slave unit 202 functions as an adapter (DECT adapter) that relays between the master unit 100 and the information terminal 300. The DECT adapter has a function of converting the data format between DECT and other short-range wireless communication systems so as to be consistent with the respective standards.

  Note that the synchronization control unit 10s is also provided in the frame processing unit 10e of the second slave unit 202. The synchronization control unit 10 s matches the transmission timing of the parent device 100 and the reception timing of the first child device 201. However, unlike the first slave unit 201, the synchronization control unit 10s of the second slave unit 202 synchronizes with the master unit 100 when a call is made or received by the information terminal 300 connected to the second slave unit 202. Try to establish. When the call by the user is completed, the asynchronous state is restored again.

  In addition, although 1st Embodiment demonstrates as the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit 202 is provided with the near field communication part 54, the 1st subunit | mobile_unit 201 may be provided with the near field communication part 54. If the first slave unit 201 includes the short-range wireless communication unit 54, the hardware of the synchronization control unit 10s is equivalent, and the first slave unit 201 includes a user interface such as the display unit 14 and the operation unit 15. Thus, if the timing for establishing synchronization is changed by command input using these, the first slave unit 201 can be used as the second slave unit 202.

  The power supply unit 59 is composed of a rechargeable battery (not shown), and a power supply voltage is supplied to the second slave unit 202 via the switch 58. In the second slave unit 202, a signal obtained by frequency division of the clock signal output from the second clock 63 by the timer unit 62 is supplied to the signal processing unit 10 during a call, and the operation timing of the hardware constituting the signal processing unit 10 is determined. Figured. On the other hand, during standby such as immediately after the switch 58 is turned on, the first clock 61 is used as the clock signal. The first clock 61 has a lower frequency (low speed clock) than the second clock 63 used during a call. Further, at the time of standby, a frequency division rate is set from the signal processing unit 10 to the timer unit 60, and the first clock 61 or a clock signal obtained by dividing the first clock 61 is output to the signal processing unit 10. Thus, by lowering the frequency of the clock signal, the second slave unit 202 reduces battery consumption as much as possible. A dry battery (primary battery, including button battery) may be used as the battery constituting the power supply unit 59.

  FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the information terminal 300. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the information terminal 300 includes a control unit 72, a short-range wireless communication unit 70, and a user interface unit 73.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 70 includes a wireless control unit 70a, a control data buffer 70b, an audio data transmission buffer 70c, and an audio data reception buffer 70d. The short-range wireless communication unit 70 of the information terminal 300 is a component that has a dual relationship with the short-range wireless communication unit 54 provided in the second slave unit 202. The voice data transmitted from the information terminal 300 to the second slave unit 202 is temporarily stored in the voice data transmission buffer 70c, while the voice data received from the second slave unit 202 is temporarily stored in the voice data reception buffer 70d. . The radio control unit 70a extracts the audio data stored in the audio data transmission buffer 70c together with the control data stored in the control data buffer 70b, performs analog modulation, and transmits the analog data from the antenna 47. The radio control unit 70a receives the audio data and control data transmitted from the antenna 57 of the second slave unit 202 via the antenna 47, digitizes them, and then controls the control data buffer 70b and the audio data reception buffer 70d. To store. As described above, the short-range wireless communication unit 70 has a function of transmitting and receiving voice data and the like between the information terminal 300 and the second slave unit 202 on the information terminal 300 side.

  The control unit 72 includes an audio data processing unit 72a, a reproduction buffer 72b, a recording buffer 72c, and an application processing unit 72d. The control unit 72 includes a CPU (MPU) (not shown), an EEPROM that stores a control program, a RAM as a work memory, a bus that couples these, and the like, and controls the operation of the information terminal 300 as a whole.

  The voice data processing unit 72a has the same function as that of the digital speech processor 10c (see FIG. 3) described above, and cancels noise and echo, and emphasizes a specific voice frequency for digitized voice data. , Performing encryption / decryption. The reproduction buffer 72b is composed of, for example, a FIFO (First In, First Out), temporarily stores the audio data output by the audio data processing unit 72a, and sequentially outputs the audio data at a predetermined timing. The recording buffer 72c is also composed of a FIFO, and temporarily stores audio data to be input to the audio data processing unit 72a. The application processing unit 72d executes application software described later. The application software is executed by the CPU (not shown).

  The user interface unit 73 includes a ringer speaker 48, a touch panel 42, an operation unit 45, a DA conversion unit 75, an AD conversion unit 76, a call speaker 43, and a microphone 44.

  The voice data and control data transmitted from the second handset 202 are received by the radio control unit 70a via the antenna 47, and digitized voice data is generated. The audio data is stored in the audio data reception buffer 70d, and the control data is stored in the control data buffer 70b. The control unit 72 extracts the audio data from the audio data reception buffer 70d, processes it with the audio data processing unit 72a, and outputs it to the reproduction buffer 72b. The DA converter 75 converts the output of the reproduction buffer 72b into an analog audio signal, and outputs the analog audio signal to the call speaker 43 via an amplifier (not shown).

  The control unit 72 can detect the state of the second slave unit 202, for example, whether or not the master unit 100 has arrived, by extracting the control data from the control data buffer 70b and analyzing it.

  On the other hand, the analog audio signal recorded by the microphone 44 is input to the AD conversion unit 76 via an equalizer or an amplifier (not shown). The AD conversion unit 76 outputs audio data obtained by digitizing the analog audio signal to the recording buffer 72c. The audio data stored in the recording buffer 72c is processed by the audio data processing unit 72a and then output to the audio data transmission buffer 70c. The audio data is analog-modulated by the radio control unit 70a and transmitted from the antenna 47.

  At the time of transmission, the application processing unit 72d generates control data and writes it in the control data buffer 70b. The control data is transmitted to the second slave unit 202 by the wireless control unit 70a. Here, the control data written by the application processing unit 72d includes information such as the state of the information terminal 300, for example, whether or not the user inputs dial information using the touch panel 42. The master unit 100 and the second slave unit 202 obtain the control information and detect the dial information by the information terminal 300 and the presence / absence of the input.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a relationship between the software 78 and the hardware 79 of the information terminal 300. The software 78 is executed by the control unit 72 of the information terminal 300, particularly the application processing unit 72d (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7, the software 78 of the information terminal 300 includes an application 78a, a standard library 78b, and a kernel 78c, and these software groups directly or indirectly control the hardware 79. Yes.

  The application 78a includes a state management program 80 that controls the start and stop of the lower-level program, a screen display program 81 that controls the screen display of the information terminal 300, and a short-range wireless communication control program 85 that will be described later using a flowchart. The audio processing program 90 manages the reproduction and recording of audio data to be transmitted and received. The operations of these applications 78a are managed under a predetermined OS (Operating System). The application 78a in the first embodiment is an “application for managing connection between the second slave unit 202 and the information terminal 300 and transmission / reception of audio data” (hereinafter referred to as “connection application”). The user operates the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 to activate the application 78a when starting a call, and terminates the call after completing the call. There are two cases of “starting a call”: a case where a call is made from the information terminal 300 and a case where an incoming call is received at the information terminal 300.

  Here, the standard library 78b refers to a program in which a program having a specific function is converted into a component (functionalized) so that it can be used by another program, and a plurality of program components are collected into one file. The driver refers to an element that directly controls the hardware by writing a control value at an address assigned to the hardware (register).

  The screen display program 81 uses the screen display library 82 and the touch panel library 83 as the standard library 78b. The screen display library 82 performs, for example, coordinate conversion and color conversion, and the touch panel library 83 acquires, for example, detection of touch operation and hover operation and coordinates specified by these operations. These libraries control the touch panel 42 having a display function via the display driver 84.

  The near field communication control program 85 uses the near field communication connection management library 86 and the near field communication data transfer library 87 as the standard library 78b. The short-range wireless communication connection management library 86 and the short-range wireless communication data transfer library 87 include, for example, a connection function, a registry access function, a state acquisition function, and the like. After the initialization of the short-range wireless communication unit 70 (see FIG. 6), information setting, registry registration, inquiry of the other party during transmission and reception, service information acquisition, etc. are performed via Communication is performed with

  The audio processing program 90 uses an audio reproduction library 91 and an audio recording library 92 as the standard library 78b. The audio reproduction library 91 writes the audio data stored in the register of the audio data processing unit 72a, for example, into the reproduction buffer 72b at once. On the other hand, the audio recording library 92, for example, extracts all the audio data stored in the recording buffer 72c and passes it to the audio data processing unit 72a. Then, the audio driver 93 drives the call speaker 43 to reproduce the sound, and drives the microphone 44 to acquire the sound.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the outgoing and incoming call operations in the information terminal 300. The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows a process in which the state management program 80, the short-range wireless communication control program 85, the voice processing program 90, and the like are executed by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 72 described above.

  The user turns on the switch 58 (see FIG. 2D and FIG. 5) of the second handset 202 when making a call from the information terminal 300 or receiving an incoming call at the information terminal 300, The touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 is operated to activate the “connection application” (ST1). The user's operation on the touch panel 42 is detected by the CPU constituting the control unit 72 (see FIG. 6), and the CPU expands the “connection app” on the work memory based on the operation and starts processing. As a result, the information terminal 300 first enters a standby state (ST2). The standby state here refers to a state in which both outgoing and incoming calls are possible (details will be described later).

  Next, the CPU confirms whether or not there is an incoming call to the parent device 100 via the second child device 202 (ST3). When the parent device 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) receives an incoming call via the telephone line in the standby state, the parent device 100 transmits an activation signal to the second child device 202, and then the second child device 202. Establishes synchronization with base unit 100 (details will be described later). The fact that synchronization has been established (synchronization establishment notification) is transmitted to the short-range wireless communication unit 70 of the information terminal 300 via the short-range wireless communication unit 54 of the second slave unit 202, whereby the CPU indicates that the incoming call has been received. recognize.

  When the CPU recognizes that the incoming call has been received (Yes in ST3), the incoming call is detected (ST4). Here, the incoming call detection means that control data (described later) transmitted from the parent device 100 via the second slave device 202 is acquired by the information terminal 300, and this control data is analyzed to detect incoming information. That means. The incoming call information includes, for example, a ringing command for ringing the ringer speaker 48 (see FIG. 6) of the information terminal 300.

  The CPU rings the ringer speaker according to the above-described command (ST5). Thereafter, the CPU confirms the presence / absence of a call start instruction via the operation unit 45 (see FIG. 6) (ST6). If a call start instruction is received (Yes in ST6), the call is started (ST10). On the other hand, when there is no instruction to start a call (No in ST6), the process proceeds to ST5. The call start instruction refers to an instruction for the CPU to start a call by operating the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 or the like.

  If the CPU determines that there is no incoming call in ST3 (No in ST3), it checks whether there is a call operation (ST7). Here, the calling operation refers to an operation in which the user uses the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 to input the telephone number (dial information) of the other party with whom the call is made.

  When there is a call operation (Yes in ST7), the CPU further checks whether or not there is a call start instruction (ST8). When there is an instruction to start a call (Yes in ST8), the CPU transmits dial information from the short-range wireless communication unit 70 (see FIG. 6) of the information terminal 300 to the short-range wireless communication unit 54 of the second handset 202. (ST9). This dial information is transmitted from the second handset 202 to the base unit 100, and the base unit 100 executes transmission toward the telephone line based on the dial information.

  Thereafter, a call is started using information terminal 300 (ST10). In the call processing after the call is started, the audio data transmission processing shown in ST11 to ST15 and the audio data reception processing shown in ST16 to ST20 when viewed from the information terminal 300 side are processed in parallel. However, the parallel processing here does not indicate perfect simultaneity, but means a state in which transmission processing and reception processing are executed in synchronization with time division.

Hereinafter, transmission processing and reception processing will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in the transmission process, an analog audio signal is acquired from the microphone 44 (ST11). The acquired analog audio signal is amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and then digitized by the AD conversion unit 76 and converted into audio data. The audio data is temporarily stored in the recording buffer 72c (ST12). The voice is continuously captured by the microphone 44 and AD converted. The transmission of the voice data from the information terminal 300 to the second slave unit 202 and the transmission of the voice data from the second slave unit 202 to the master unit 100 are as follows. The recording buffer 72c absorbs these timing differences because the time division multiplexing is performed intermittently.

  The audio data stored in the recording buffer 72c is subjected to the digital signal processing described above in the audio data processing unit 72a (ST13). The digital audio data subjected to the signal processing is temporarily stored in the audio data transmission buffer 70c of the short-range wireless communication unit 70 (ST14), and then analog-modulated by the radio control unit 70a and transmitted through the antenna 47. It is transmitted to the two slave unit 202 (ST15). Second slave unit 202 transmits the received audio data to master unit 100.

  Next, in the reception process, the wireless control unit 70a acquires (receives) an audio signal from the second slave unit 202 via the antenna 47 (ST16). The acquired audio signal is converted into audio data digitized by the radio control unit 70a, and is temporarily stored in the audio data receiving buffer 70d (ST17). Thereafter, the audio data is subjected to the digital signal processing described above in the audio data processing unit 72a (ST18), and temporarily stored in the reproduction buffer 72b (ST19).

  The digital audio data stored in the reproduction buffer 72b is converted into an analog audio signal by the DA converter 75, amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and reproduced by the call speaker 43 (ST20). Transmission of voice data from the second slave unit 202 to the information terminal 300 and transmission of voice data from the master unit 100 to the second slave unit 202 are performed intermittently by time division multiplexing. Since the reproduction is performed continuously, the reproduction buffer 72b absorbs these timing differences.

  Each time these transmission processing or reception processing is performed, the CPU confirms whether or not there is a call termination instruction (ST21). If there is no call termination instruction (No in ST21), the CPU moves the process to either ST11 or ST16. As described above, since the transmission process and the reception process are processed in a time-sharing manner in synchronization, ST11 and ST16 are normally executed alternately. The call end instruction is an instruction for the CPU to end the call by operating the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 or the like.

  On the other hand, if there is an instruction to end the call (Yes in ST21) or if there is no dialing operation or the like by the user (No in ST7), the CPU checks whether there is an instruction to end the “connection app” (ST22). The “connection application” termination instruction refers to an instruction for the CPU to terminate the application by operating the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300 or the like.

  If termination of “connected app” is instructed (Yes in ST22), the CPU executes termination processing (ST23). In the termination process, the CPU stops transmission / reception performed between the information terminal 300 and the second slave unit 202, and releases the work memory used by the application. On the other hand, when the termination of the “connection application” is not instructed (No in ST22), the CPU moves the process to ST2 and enters a standby state.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a DECT frame configuration. In DECT, one frame with a period of 10 ms includes 24 slots (12 slots for uplink and 12 slots for downlink). Normally, slot 1 (S1) to slot 12 (S12) are used for communication from parent device 100 to child device 200, and slot 13 (S13) to slot 24 (S24) are used from child device 200 to parent device 100. Used for communication. In communication between base unit 100 and base unit 200, slots having a positional relationship of 5 ms apart such as slot 1 (S1) and slot 13 (S13), slot 2 (S2) and slot 14 (S14) are combined. (Pair slot), used as one communication channel.

  At least one of the 12 slots (for example, slot 1 (S1)) transmitted from the parent device 100 to the child device 200 is a control slot for sending control data. The control data is constantly (periodically) transmitted from the parent device 100 in one slot in the frame. It should be noted that in the case where radio wave interference occurs during control communication from the parent device 100 to the child device 200, the idle slot (for example, when slot 1 (S1) is used as the control slot, 2 (S2) to slot 12 (S12)), it is detected whether the slot is being used by another device. If radio wave interference or the like actually occurs in slot 1 (S1), the control slot is 2 (S2). In conjunction with this, a response slot for the control slot (a slot used for a response to the control slot, which is used when data is transmitted from the slave unit 200 to the master unit 100) is set in the slot 14 (S14). . In this way, which slot is used as the control slot is determined by negotiation between the parent device 100 and the child device 200.

  Each slot is defined by a width of 416.67 μs (= 10 ms / 24). In each slot, a synchronization signal field 30, a control data field 31, a CRC1 field 32, an information data field 33, and a CRC2 field 34 are defined. Has been.

  The synchronization signal field 30 includes fixed data composed of a data string for bit synchronization and a data string for slot synchronization. A CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code calculated based on the data string of the control data field 31 is written in the CRC1 field 32, and a transmission error in the control data field 31 is detected. The CRC2 field 34 detects a transmission error in the information data field 33 in the same manner. When an error is detected by the CRC, the slave unit 200 can make a retransmission request to the master unit 100.

  The control data field 31 (sometimes referred to as A-field) is a field for passing control data from the parent device 100 to the child device 200. The control data field 31 contains control data necessary for outgoing / incoming calls, standby time, etc. Communicate. Specifically, the control data includes identification information (so-called ID), device capability, communication quality, call setup / disconnection, retransmission control data when a transmission error is detected, and the like.

  In the first embodiment, the control data includes the above-mentioned “synchronization establishment notification” and “ring command”. Accordingly, the second slave unit 202 acquires control data by referring to the control data field 31 among the data received in the control slot, and recognizes an instruction from the master unit 100. These instructions are also transmitted from the second slave unit 202 to the information terminal 300 by short-range wireless communication.

  On the other hand, the information data field 33 (sometimes referred to as B-field) is a field for storing packets of audio data and image data.

  When audio data is transmitted and received between the parent device 100 and the child device 200, the audio data is written in the information data field 33. However, the synchronization signal field 30, the control data field 31, and the CRC1 field 32 are valid in the control slot. The information data field 33 and the CRC2 field 34 are not used. In other words, even if the cordless telephone system does not receive a call (even in a standby state), the base unit 100 transmits control data to the handset 200 in a control slot for each frame period, and the handset 200 Has received the control data.

  Then, the slave unit 200 transmits data to the master unit 100 using the response slot corresponding to the control slot, if necessary. In the first embodiment, by using this, the second slave unit 202 can transmit the “dial information” described above to the master unit 100.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing transmission / reception contents between the second slave unit 202 and the master unit 100 when making a call from the information terminal 300. As described with reference to FIG. 9, the actual pair slot is 5 ms apart, but in FIG. 10, this is simplified (the same applies to FIG. 11).

  Hereinafter, a transmission / reception process performed between the information terminal 300, the second slave unit 202, and the master unit 100 when making a call from the information terminal 300 to the telephone line will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, transmission / reception between the parent device 100 and the second child device 202 is performed based on the DECT standard, while transmission / reception between the second child device 202 and the information terminal 300 is performed by short-range wireless communication. This is done according to the control profile. Transmission / reception of voice data and the like between the second slave unit 202 and the information terminal 300 uses a known technique, and a description thereof will be omitted (the description using FIG. 11 is the same).

  Hereinafter, the operations of base unit 100 and second handset 202 will be mainly described by dividing into a standby period, a synchronous search period, and a call period.

<Standby period>
In the standby period, base unit 100 sets a period TxP (n) (n = 1, 2, 3... Hereafter) as a control slot at a frame period (first period) every 10 ms. Send control data periodically. Then, a period RxP (n) is set as a response period (response slot) for the control slot, and response data responding to the control data is received during this period. Thus, the response period is also provided for every 10 ms frame period. Actually, when transmitting / receiving audio data, the control slot and the response slot are used. At this time, the audio data is written in the information data field 33 (see FIG. 9) of the control data and the response data.

  As described above, the first slave unit 201 has already established synchronization with the master unit 100 at the beginning of power-on, and the synchronization is maintained even in the standby period. However, in the first slave unit 201, the reception timing is set in the period RxC1 (n), and the period is provided, for example, at a period of 640 ms as illustrated. That is, in the standby period, the first slave unit 201 sets the reception timing in accordance with the transmission timing of the master unit 100, but the period of the reception timing is set larger than the cycle of the transmission timing of the master unit 100 (first period). . Thus, by setting the reception timing intermittently, the power consumption of the first slave unit 201 is kept low.

  On the other hand, in the standby period, the second slave unit 202 performs reception by setting the reception timing asynchronously with the transmission timing of the master unit 100 as indicated by the periods RxC2 (1) and RxC2 (2). Specifically, after receiving power correction data for correcting a relative shift in reception timing from the master unit 100 after the second slave unit 202 is powered on, the second slave unit 202 loses synchronization. Set the reception timing by timing. That is, the second slave unit 202 shifts the reception timing so as not to synchronize the transmission / reception timing with the master unit 100. Moreover, the generation period of the reception periods RxC2 (1) and RxC2 (2) of the second slave unit 202 is set to a long period of about 2 seconds as shown in the figure (second period).

  By making the reception timing of the second slave unit 202 asynchronous with the transmission timing of the master unit 100, the second slave unit 202 does not need to interpret the control data received from the master unit 100. For this reason, in the 2nd subunit | mobile_unit 202, the signal processing part 10 (refer FIG. 5) does not operate | move during a standby period, Compared with the 1st subunit | mobile_unit 201, a significant reduction in power consumption is implement | achieved. Note that the second slave unit 202 may not intentionally generate an asynchronous state with the master unit 100 immediately after the power is turned on. That is, the second slave unit 202 may execute intermittent reception at a preset reception cycle (for example, 2 sec as described above) with a predetermined time elapse after the power is turned on.

  As described above, in DECT, one frame (10 ms) is divided into 24 to form slots. Therefore, if the first reception timing at which the second slave unit 202 starts reception is set at random, the transmission timing of the master unit 100 There is a probability of 1/24 to synchronize with. In addition, in this case, since adjustment using the synchronization signal field 30 (see FIG. 9) is not performed, the probability that the parent device 100 and the second child device 202 are synchronized is further reduced. Even if they are synchronized, the second slave unit 202 receives control data once every 2 seconds, and if the second slave unit 202 receives control data during the standby period, If processing for shifting the timing by, for example, 1 ms is performed, the synchronization between the parent device 100 and the second child device can be reliably removed.

  Note that, during the standby period, the second slave unit 202 also transmits and receives voice data and control data to and from the information terminal 300 in accordance with the short-range wireless communication control profile. In this short-range wireless communication standard, the power consumption required for communication is several mW, and the influence on the power consumption of the entire second slave unit 202 is extremely small.

<Synchronous search period>
Hereinafter, the operation of base unit 100 and second handset 202 during the synchronous search period will be mainly described. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, the subject that establishes synchronization will be described as the second slave unit 202. However, in actuality, the synchronization control unit 10s provided in the signal processing unit 10 of the second slave unit 202, the frame processing unit 10e, CPU block 10f, etc. cooperate to establish synchronization (the same applies to the “activation period” when receiving an incoming call by the information terminal 300).

  In the synchronous search period, the user first inputs an outgoing dial using the touch panel 42 of the information terminal 300. This dial information is transmitted to the second handset 202 based on the short-range wireless communication control profile. When the second handset 202 receives the dial information, the second handset 202 sets a period RxC2 (3) as a receiving period. This reception period is set to 100 ms, for example, and is longer than the transmission timing period of 10 ms.

  During this period RxC2 (3), the second slave unit 202 receives control data from the master unit 100. Originally, the cycle of the transmission timing of base unit 100 is determined to be 10 ms. Therefore, for example, when second slave unit 202 receives control data in period TxP (10), it starts at the timing at which the control data is received at a cycle of 10 ms. An event is generated, and based on this, the signal processing unit 10 (see FIG. 5) determines the reception timing (reception period). Then, control data exchanged during the transmission period TxP (12) of the parent device 100 and the reception period RxC2 (4) of the second child device 202, and then the second child device 202 responds to the transmission period TxC2 (1). Synchronization is established with the response data, and the asynchronous reception so far shifts to synchronous reception.

  Here, base unit 100 receives the response data in period RxP (12). The control data field 31 of the response data includes dial information, whereby the master unit 100 acquires the telephone number input at the information terminal 300 and executes the call toward the telephone line.

<Call period>
Thereafter, the call is started. During a call, synchronization is established between the master unit 100 and the second slave unit 202, and voice data and the like are transmitted and received in a 10 ms cycle (first cycle). Specifically, in the period TxP (13), the base unit 100 writes and transmits audio data in the information data field 33 (see FIG. 9), which is received by the second handset 202 in the period RxC2 (5), The second handset 202 takes out audio data from the information data field 33. This audio data is then passed to the information terminal 300. On the other hand, the information terminal 300 transmits audio data to the second slave unit 202. Receiving this, second handset 202 transmits audio data in period TxC2 (2), and this is received by base unit 100 in period RxP (13). As a result, voice data is transmitted and received at high speed between the master unit 100 and the second slave unit 202, and a clear voice call is ensured. Audio data (including the control data field) is transmitted / received until the call ends. The end of the call is executed when the user selects the end of the call with the “connection app”.

  The end of the call is transmitted from the information terminal 300 to the second handset 202, and the second handset 202 that has received the call transmits it to the base unit 100 by including that fact in the response data. The base unit 100 that receives this disconnects the connection with the telephone line. Thereafter, the second slave unit 202 changes the setting of the timer unit 60 (see FIG. 5), and the reception timing of the second slave unit 202 has a long period as described above, and is further asynchronous with the transmission timing of the master unit 100. Set to

  Hereinafter, a process in which an incoming call is performed by the information terminal 300 will be mainly described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of transmission / reception between the second slave unit 202 and the master unit 100 when receiving an incoming call to the information terminal 300. Hereinafter, a process of transmission / reception performed between the parent device 100, the second child device 202, and the information terminal 300 when the parent device 100 receives an incoming call via a telephone line will be described with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operations of the parent device 100 and the second child device 202 will be mainly described while being divided into an activation period and an incoming call notification period. The operations for the standby period and the call period are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

<Startup period>
When the main unit 100 receives an incoming call via the telephone line, it stops the transmission that has been performed in the 10 ms period (first period) and sets the activation signal transmission period TxP (8). Then, the activation signal is continuously transmitted in the activation signal transmission period TxP (8). As described above, the second slave unit 202 performs reception in the standby period asynchronously with the transmission timing of the master unit 100 in a 2 sec cycle (second cycle), but the master unit 100 has a period exceeding at least 2 sec. Continue to send the start signal over. In the first embodiment, the activation signal is transmitted for a slot width of 0.417 ms × 24 slots × 210 times = 2.1 sec. However, this second period depends on the period of the reception timing of the second slave unit 202 in the standby period, and the above-mentioned 2 sec numerical value itself is not important. For example, if the period of the reception timing of the second slave unit 202 is 1.5 sec, the activation signal may be transmitted for about 1.6 sec.

  The activation signal described above is a type of control data. In activation signal transmission period TxP (8), base unit 100 continuously transmits control data (activation signal) during this period with all slots as control slots. However, at this time, each control data includes correction data for correcting a relative deviation from a slot (channel) to be used by base unit 100 when synchronization is established. That is, different correction data is written and transmitted for slot 1 (S1) to slot 24 (S24). By receiving this control data, the second slave unit 202 can know the response slot setting timing (ie, reception timing) in order to synchronize with the master unit 100.

  Since the second slave unit repeats reception at a cycle of 2 sec and the master unit 100 continues to transmit control data over a period exceeding this, the second slave unit 202 transmits at least 1 control data in the activation signal transmission period TxP (8). Can be received once. The second slave unit 202 that has received the control data refers to the correction data included in the control data and immediately changes the setting of the timer unit 60 (see FIG. 5), and based on this, the signal processing unit 10 (see FIG. 5). Reference) generates reception timing.

  Preparation for synchronization (setting of correction data) is performed by the control data received in the reception periods RxC2 (3) to RxC2 (6) of the second slave unit 202. Finally, the master unit 100 is in the start signal transmission period TxP ( After completing 8), the timings of the period TxP (9) set by the parent device 100 and the period RxC2 (7) set by the second child device 202 coincide with each other to establish synchronization. However, the above-described RxC2 (3) to RxC2 (6) are merely examples, and the synchronization process varies depending on the timing at which the second slave unit 202 receives control data in the activation signal transmission period TxP (8). .

  Now, the activation signal transmission period TxP (8) provided by the parent device 100 is a period in which only transmission of control data is executed. Therefore, during the activation signal transmission period, base unit 100 cannot receive the response data transmitted from slave unit 200. For this reason, in this example, between RxC2 (3) to RxC2 (7), a period during which voice data cannot be transmitted / received to / from the first slave unit 201 and the second slave unit 202 occurs. In order to shorten this period, for example, a configuration in which the activation signal transmission period TxP (8) is divided into a plurality of parts and the base unit 100 provides a reception period at the end of each divided period is conceivable.

<Incoming call notification period>
When synchronization is established, the second slave unit 202 analyzes the control data received during the period RxC2 (7) and confirms that this includes a “ring command”. Is transmitted to the information terminal 300. Receiving this, the information terminal 300 rings the ringer speaker 48 (see FIG. 6). Note that the control data transmitted by the parent device 100 at TxP (9) is also received by the first child device 201 in the period RxC1 (7), and the ringer speaker 18 also rings in the first child device 201.

  Here, while the ringer is ringing, the second slave unit 202 maintains the synchronization with the master unit 100, and the reception period is, for example, a period of 640 ms as shown as RxC2 (8) to RxC2 (9) ( 3rd cycle). The period of 640 ms is longer than the first period (10 ms) described above and shorter than the second period (2 sec). The second handset 202 is provided with a reception timing of 640 ms until the user instructs to start a call.

  Here, the numerical value itself of 640 ms is not important. 640 ms is the period of the reception timing of the first slave unit 201 described above, and this is the maximum response from the master unit 100 when the user performs any operation on the first slave unit 201 or the second slave unit 202. Means a delay of 640 ms. Therefore, the third period may be a period that does not cause inconvenience for the convenience of the user. However, if the period is 10 ms (first period), the power consumption increases. Therefore, the third period is an intermediate value between the first period and the second period.

  Here, a synchronous relationship is maintained between the parent device 100 and the second child device 202 (because it shifts to a call thereafter). Thus, in order to ensure the future 1: 1 synchronization, the reception timing cycle of the second slave unit 202 in the incoming notification period is 1 / n (n of the transmission timing cycle set by the master unit 100. : Integer greater than or equal to 2), and in the first embodiment, 1/64 intermittent reception is performed.

  Thereafter, when the user performs a response operation using the information terminal 300, the fact that the incoming call response has been received is received by the second slave unit 202 using short-range wireless communication, and further a response to the period TxP (14) that is a control slot. It is transmitted to base unit 100 in period TxC2 (1) which is a slot. When base unit 100 receives the incoming call response with RxP (13), it executes a call process.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the second handset 202 of the cordless telephone system according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the second slave unit 202 and the information terminal 300 are connected by short-range wireless communication. However, in the second embodiment, both are connected by a wired line, particularly a serial bus interface.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the second slave unit 202 includes a storage unit 11, a radio unit 12, an antenna 53, a switch 58, timer units 60 and 62, a first clock 61, a second clock 63, The signal processing unit 10, the radio unit 12, the serial bus communication unit 55, and the serial bus connection unit 56 are configured. The configuration of the signal processing unit 10 and the radio unit 12 of the second slave unit 202 is the same as that of the first slave unit 201.

  The serial bus communication unit 55 includes a communication control unit 55a, a control data buffer 55b, an audio data transmission buffer 55c, and an audio data reception buffer 55d. The serial bus communication unit 55 exchanges control data with the signal processing unit 10, inputs the audio data to be transmitted output from the digital speech processor 10c, and outputs the received audio data to the digital speech processor 10c.

  Second slave unit 202 and information terminal 300 are physically connected by serial bus cable 95, and second slave unit 202 is supplied with power from information terminal 300 via serial bus cable 95. That is, the second slave unit 202 operates with so-called bus power. As a result, a battery is not required for the second slave unit 202, so that the second slave unit 202 can be made smaller and lighter.

  The audio data transmitted from the second handset 202 to the information terminal 300 is temporarily stored in the audio data transmission buffer 55c, while the audio data received from the information terminal 300 is temporarily stored in the audio data reception buffer 55d. The communication control unit 55a extracts the audio data stored in the audio data transmission buffer 55c together with the control data stored in the control data buffer 55b, and transmits it through the serial bus connection unit 56 and the serial bus cable 95. Conversely, the communication control unit 55a receives audio data and control data from the information terminal 300 and stores them in the audio data reception buffer 55d. Thus, the serial bus communication unit 55 has a function of transmitting and receiving audio data and the like between the second slave unit 202 and the information terminal 300 on the second slave unit 202 side.

  In the second embodiment, the second slave unit 202 includes the serial bus communication unit 55. However, the first slave unit 201 may include the serial bus communication unit 55.

  Electric power is supplied to the second slave unit 202 via the serial bus cable 95 and the switch 58. Since the configurations and functions of the timer units 60 and 62, the first clock 61, and the second clock 63 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  By connecting the second slave unit 202 configured as described above to a serial bus interface (not shown) provided in the information terminal 300, the master unit 100, the second slave unit 202, and the information terminal 300 are organically connected. The information terminal 300 is connected to the telephone line via the parent device 100 and the second child device 202. Since the configuration and function of other elements are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Although the cordless telephone system according to the present invention has been described in detail based on specific embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  For example, in each embodiment, although the smart phone was illustrated and demonstrated as the information terminal 300, this invention can be applied not only to a smart phone but the information terminals 300 generally, such as a tablet. Furthermore, the information terminal 300 does not need to be portable. That is, the present invention is useful for a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a server client system, and the like.

  In the first embodiment, the information terminal 300 and the second slave unit 202 are connected by short-range wireless communication using radio waves, and in the second embodiment, they are connected by the serial bus cable 95. The present invention can be applied regardless of the interface connecting them. That is, the information terminal 300 and the second slave unit 202 may be connected using, for example, an infrared communication interface or near field wireless communication (Near Field Communication).

  In each embodiment, the master unit 100 and the second slave unit are described as transmitting and receiving voice data and the like by the DECT method. However, the present invention is a PHS (Personal Handy-) that employs a time division multiple access method. phone System), sPHS (Super PHS), and the like.

  In each embodiment, the second slave unit 202 connected to the information terminal 300 is described as one unit. However, a plurality of second slave units 202 are provided, and the information terminal 300 is connected to each of the second slave units 202. It is good also as a structure which does. As described in the first embodiment, since the cordless telephone system according to the present invention performs time division multiple access, it is possible to independently set slots for transmission and reception with a plurality of second slave units 202. is there.

  The cordless telephone system according to the present invention is configured such that the reception timing of the second slave unit is asynchronous with the transmission timing of the master unit during the standby period based on a user operation on the information terminal. Because it is possible to perform only intermittent reception operation without receiving any control data from the machine and to greatly reduce the power consumption of the second slave unit physically connected to the information terminal. , DECT, PHS, sPHS and the like can be suitably used in a cordless telephone system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Signal processing part 10c Digital speech processor 10e Frame processing part 10f CPU block 10s Synchronization control part 12 Radio | wireless part 13 Antenna (1st subunit | mobile_unit antenna)
31 Control data field 33 Information data field 47 Antenna (smart phone antenna)
53 Antenna (2nd handset antenna)
54 Near field communication unit 54a Wireless control unit 54b Control data buffer 54c Audio data transmission buffer 54d Audio data reception buffer 57 Antenna (Near field communication antenna)
70 Short-range wireless communication unit 70a Wireless control unit 70b Control data buffer 70c Audio data transmission buffer 70d Audio data reception buffer 72 Control unit 95 Serial bus cable 100 Master unit 200 Slave unit 201 First slave unit 202 Second slave unit (slave unit) )
300 Information terminal (smartphone)

Claims (2)

A main unit connected to the telephone line,
A handset that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the base unit through a wireless line;
A cordless telephone system comprising an information terminal physically and integrally connected to the slave unit,
Based on the user's operation on the information terminal, the slave unit sets a reception timing asynchronously with the transmission timing of the master unit at the time of standby, and when sending or receiving a call via the telephone line, A cordless telephone system characterized by establishing synchronization of transmission and reception with a base unit.   2. The cordless telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the base unit transmits and receives voice data to and from the information terminal when the information terminal starts a call via the telephone line.

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