JP2019054527A - Method and apparatus for operating companion device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method, corresponding apparatuses, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for operating a companion device and a companion device.SOLUTION: The method comprises detecting, at a companion device connected to a cellular network, presence of a primary device that is paired with the companion device in accordance with at least one short-range radio frequency communication technique. The method additionally comprises connecting the companion device to the primary device in accordance with the short-range radio frequency communication technique and at the same time disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network in response to detecting that the primary device is present, and maintaining the connection of the companion device to the cellular network in response to detecting that the primary device is not present.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication techniques including cellular communication techniques and near field communication techniques. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for operating a companion device, and a corresponding companion device.

  The following description of background art is not known in the related art at the time prior to this disclosure and is insight, discovery, understanding, or disclosure provided by this disclosure, or integral with the disclosure. An association may be included. Some such contributions of the present disclosure may be specifically pointed out below, and other such contributions of the present disclosure will be apparent from the respective contexts.

  Nowadays, more and more people in their daily lives are using matched wireless communication device pairs for portable communication, where one device is a short-range communication such as a Bluetooth device. The other device may be a cellular communication device such as a mobile phone in which a Bluetooth chip is incorporated to support Bluetooth communication with the Bluetooth device. Bluetooth devices are generally convenient because they have a small size and are relatively easy for people to use during physical exercises such as jogging or while driving. In these situations, incoming calls from the cellular network can be answered via a mobile phone via a Bluetooth device, such as a Bluetooth headset or a Bluetooth-enabled watch. Phones are not suitable for answering calls while walking, jogging, or driving due to their larger size and poor portability than Bluetooth devices.

  While the above-described combined use of Bluetooth and cellular devices provides great convenience to the user, it has several drawbacks. For example, since a Bluetooth device generally cooperates with a cellular device to access the cellular network, the user will not be connected to the cellular network if his mobile phone is not available. I will. Furthermore, if it is assumed that the Bluetooth device can be enabled to access the cellular network, the battery life will be significantly reduced due to such access.

  The following presents a brief summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. It should be noted that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and is not intended to identify key / essential elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. . Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises detecting in a companion device the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. The method also includes connecting the companion device to the cellular network when it detects that the primary device is not present.

  In one embodiment, the method further comprises connecting the companion device to the primary device as a short-range hands-free accessory upon detecting the presence of the primary device.

  In another embodiment, the method includes detecting whether the short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost and detecting that the short-range high-frequency link is lost. Connecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In yet another embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the method further comprises disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network.

  In a further embodiment, the method detects whether a short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and detects that the short-range high-frequency link is lost. Re-connecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In one embodiment, connecting the companion device to the cellular network comprises using the companion device's subscriber identity module to connect to the cellular network.

  In another embodiment, the at least one near field radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program instructions. The memory and computer program instructions are configured with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to detect the presence of the primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one short-range high frequency communication technique, at least in the companion device. Has been. The memory and computer program instructions are also configured with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to connect the companion device to the cellular network when the apparatus detects that at least the primary device is not present. .

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has means for detecting in the companion device the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. The apparatus also has means for connecting the companion device to the cellular network when it detects that no primary device is present.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon is provided that, when executed, is executed at a companion device in accordance with at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. It is configured to control the apparatus to detect the presence of a primary device paired with the device. The program code is also configured to control the device to connect the companion device to the cellular network when it detects that the primary device does not exist when executed.

  The aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be utilized separately or in combination, and various combinations are intended to at least some intents of the present disclosure referred to below. May be configured.

  According to aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, by operating as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory, it is possible to maintain a cellular network connection in the presence of a primary device or being available for cellular connection. Due to the good, the battery life of the companion device can be extended. Furthermore, due to the fact that both the primary device and the companion device support cellular connections, access to the cellular network based on the presence of the primary device may allow a user to access the cellular network, Relatively easy and possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure and advantages thereof, which are presented for illustrative purposes, will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connection architecture in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which specific embodiments of the disclosure are shown. However, this disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are This disclosure is provided by way of example so that it will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Throughout this specification, the same reference signs refer to the same elements.

  In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art, unless expressly defined otherwise herein. For example, the companion device may be a second or complementary device for a feature phone or smartphone (primary device) throughout this disclosure. A companion device may be recognized as having a relatively long battery life, small form, and limited functionality, usually configured with cellular voice and text messaging and possibly corresponding hardware or software. And supports cellular data. A companion device can be expected to be used in place of a primary device if the primary device is considered too bulky or too great for the event. The companion device could automatically adapt to the current environment. For example, if the primary device and the companion device are within the effective range of low power high frequency, the companion device consumes less power than operating as a stand-alone phone device for cellular access. It may be changed to a free device.

  Further, throughout the present disclosure, the primary device may be a mobile handset, multimedia tablet, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer that may be connected to a companion device according to at least one near field communication technique such as Bluetooth technique. It may be any type of mobile terminal such as a tablet computer or a personal communication device (PCS) device.

  Furthermore, a cellular network may refer to any existing cellular communication standard or specification or a cellular standard or specification that will be developed in the future throughout this disclosure. Existing cellular standards include, for example, without limitation, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), or UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network), E -UTRAN (Evolved-UTRAN), GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), or EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) network, GERAN (GSM / EDGE Radio Access Network), or generally OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) ) It may include one of 3GPP standardized mobile communication networks such as networks.

  All references to “an element, device, component, means, or step” refer to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, or step, unless expressly stated to the contrary. It needs to be interpreted openly as a thing. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the disclosed order unless explicitly stated. Also, the above and following description in relation to any of the aspects of the present disclosure is also applicable in parts related to any other aspects of the present disclosure.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, detection of a nearby mobile (primary) device initiates a disconnection or disconnection in the companion device from the cellular network and connects to the mobile device as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory Has been used as a trigger for. Furthermore, the detection of link loss of the short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device can be used, for example, to initiate a join procedure to the cellular network within the companion device using a SIM certificate within the companion device. It may be used as a trigger. Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connection architecture 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the architecture 100 has one companion device implemented as a Bluetooth headset and one primary device implemented as a mobile phone, and the companion device and primary device are May be connected to each other via the short-range wireless link 3 according to the corresponding short-range communication technique. FIG. 1 further illustrates a base station that provides cellular coverage, shown illustratively as an ellipse, to companions and primary devices. In other words, if desired by the user, the base station will establish cellular communication with one of the companion device and the primary device via individual radio links 1 or 2.

  The primary devices and companion devices shown herein are for illustrative purposes only and within the coverage area of a base station, depending on the coverage capabilities of that base station, some primary devices Note that there may also be individual companion devices. Further, depending on the different implementations, there may be additional entities in the architecture 100 that are not shown for simplicity. For example, the MME / S-GW entity is connected to a base station (eg, NodeB or E-NodeB (Evolved NodeB)) to connect the primary device to the core network and transfer data between the base station and the core network. You may connect.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method 200 for operating a companion device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, at S201, the method 200 detects the presence of a primary device paired with a companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique at the companion device. As mentioned above, the companion device herein may be any suitable near field communication device that can be pre-paired with a primary device such as a Bluetooth headset or watch. In S202, the method 200 connects the companion device to the cellular network when it detects that the primary device does not exist.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the method 200 detects the presence of the primary device as a short-range hands-free accessory (eg, headset or watch) to the companion device to the primary device. You may further have the step to connect. In another example, the method 200 detects whether the short-range high frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and upon detecting that the short-range high frequency link is lost. Connecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In some exemplary embodiments, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the method further comprises disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network. As a result, the case where two devices are accessing the cellular network can be avoided, and this can extend the battery life of the companion device.

  In some exemplary embodiments, the method 200 includes detecting whether the short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary is lost, and detecting that the short-range high-frequency link is lost. Re-connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detection. This can occur in scenarios where the companion device and the primary device are physically separated from each other to the extent that a close link between them cannot be maintained, for example tens of meters. Let's go. If the companion device is carried by the user and a cellular connection is deemed necessary, the companion device will initiate a combining procedure according to a cellular technique, such as a random access procedure, to connect to the cellular network. Become. This coupling procedure can be triggered as a default mode in the companion device or can be triggered manually.

  In some exemplary embodiments, connecting the companion device to the cellular network may include using a companion device subscriber identity module to connect to the cellular network. With a subscriber identity module separate from the primary device and its subscription, the cellular connection initiated by the companion device in accordance with the present disclosure may not involve or rely on a subscription in the primary device. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one near field radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  According to the method 200 described above in various embodiments that can be carried by a companion device and variations thereof, it is possible to avoid simultaneous access to the cellular network by both the primary device and the companion device, and thus Will save wireless communication resources. In addition, access to the cellular network by the companion device may be suspended if the primary device is in use, so the battery life of the companion device could be extended. In addition, users are given the option of choosing between primary and companion devices to access cellular radio services, for example, depending on their preferences or the context or environment with which they are involved. May be.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there will be two sets of subscriber identity modules and individual subscriptions, thus accompanying multi-SIM subscriptions where device call logs and messages are not synchronized Common problems can be encountered. For example, a call or read text message answered from one device will appear as an unanswered call or unread message on the other device. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize a communication protocol for call log synchronization. Also, the operating system (“OS: Operating System”) of the device may provide an application program interface (“API: Application Program Interface”) for operating call logs and message storage. Such integration is currently possible in many smartphones, as demonstrated by, for example, Skype call logs integrated with regular call logs. This type of synchronization protocol could be run on the Bluetooth generic attribute protocol, or on cellular data if supported on the companion device.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method 300 for operating a companion device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, in S301, the method 300 pairs the companion device with the primary device. This pairing operation may be performed by a conventional method. For example, the user may initiate a Bluetooth scanning procedure and thus the primary device may initiate scanning for nearby companion devices. Once the companion device is found, for example, the identity of the companion device is shown on the primary device display and the user is prompted to enter the password provided by the companion device, and thus the pairing procedure Is completed.

  In S302, the method 300 switches on the companion device at some point after the initial pairing operation and allows the companion device to enter the Bluetooth scan state. In other words, the companion device starts scanning the pre-paired primary device by using a normal Bluetooth scan procedure. In S303, the method 300 determines whether a known primary device is found. If found, at S304, the method 300 connects the companion device to the primary device as a Bluetooth handset, for example, using a Bluetooth hands-free profile. If not, at S305, the method 300 connects the companion device to the cellular network by using the procedure specified for the cellular network in question. After this, the companion device will operate in a standalone mode to provide cellular access to the user.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the companion device is connected to the cellular network and then moves in the vicinity of the primary device. The companion device may perform periodic Bluetooth page scan procedures, and the primary device may also perform known device paging. Once the primary device is found, as described above, the companion device connects to the primary device as a Bluetooth handset using the Bluetooth hands-free profile and uses the procedures defined for the cellular network in question. To uncouple from the cellular network. In the state where the companion device is connected over Bluetooth, a phone book access profile may be used for dialing based on name and to display the name of the caller of the incoming call. Similarly, as with many current Bluetooth car kits, a messaging access protocol may be used to send / receive text messages.

  From the foregoing, access to a cellular network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is very flexible, and thus the user is concerned with the selection of any device he desires for cellular access. It can be seen that it has a relatively large degree of freedom. Furthermore, when present, using the primary device for cellular communications can reduce the load on the companion device in terms of battery life and throughput.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method 400 for operating a companion device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first S401, the companion device may be connected to the primary device in a short distance in the hands-free mode, for example. In S402, the method 400 determines whether a Bluetooth link is still present between the companion device and the primary device. For example, a Bluetooth link management protocol may be applied to determine if a Bluetooth link is lost. If the Bluetooth link is lost, at S403, the method 400 has connected the companion device to the cellular network, and thus the companion device may begin operating in stand-alone mode. For example, the companion device joins the cellular network using the procedure defined for the cellular network of interest. If the answer in S402 is “No”, in S401, the companion device remains in the hands-free mode as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory.

  FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus 500 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, apparatus 500 includes at least one processor 501, such as a data processor, at least one memory (MEM) 502 coupled to processor 501, and a suitable RF coupled to processor 501. A transmitter TX and a receiver RX503. The MEM 502 stores a program (PROG) 504. TX / RX503 is for bidirectional wireless communication. Note that TX / RX 503 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, but in practice the device will typically have several antennas, eg, for MIMO communication. .

  PROG 504, when executed by processor 501, provides instructions that allow apparatus 500 to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein with methods 200-400. Assumed to include. For example, apparatus 500 may be implemented as a companion device for performing methods 200-400, or as part thereof.

  In general, embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by at least one processor 501 of apparatus 500, by hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

  The MEM 502 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and as non-limiting examples, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed It may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology such as memory and removable memory. Although only one MEM is shown in the device 500, there may be several physically separate memory units in the device 500. The processor 501 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and includes, but is not limited to, a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP). And one or more of processors based on a multi-core processor architecture. The apparatus 500 may include a plurality of processors, such as, for example, application specific integrated circuit chips coupled to operate without delay with respect to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the at least one memory and computer program instructions may be transmitted by the at least one processor when the apparatus 500 further detects the presence of the primary device. To the primary device as a short-range hands-free accessory. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one memory and computer program instructions are transmitted by the at least one processor so that the apparatus 500 and the short-range high frequency link between the companion device and the primary device are lost. It is configured to connect the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting whether and detecting that the short-range high-frequency link is lost.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the at least one memory and computer program instructions are connected by at least one processor by the apparatus 500 to further connect the companion device from the cellular network. It is configured to cut.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one memory and computer program instructions are transmitted by the at least one processor to determine whether the device 500 has further lost the short-range high frequency link between the companion device and the primary. And when the short-range high-frequency link is detected lost, the companion device is configured to reconnect to the cellular network.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one memory and computer program instructions are configured by at least one processor to cause the device 500 to use the companion device subscriber identity module to connect to the cellular network. ing.

  FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus 600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, apparatus 600 comprises means 601 for detecting the presence of a primary device paired with a companion device in accordance with at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. The apparatus 600 further comprises means 602 for connecting the companion device to the cellular network when detecting that the primary device does not exist.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 600 further comprises means for connecting the companion device to the primary device as a short-range hands-free accessory upon detecting the presence of the primary device. In another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 600 includes means for detecting whether the short-range high frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and that the short-range high-frequency link is lost. Means for connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detection.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the apparatus 600 further comprises means for disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network. In another exemplary embodiment, apparatus 600 includes means for detecting whether a short-range high frequency link between the companion device and the primary is lost, and detecting that the short-range high frequency link is lost. And means for reconnecting the companion device to the cellular network. In a further exemplary embodiment, the means 602 for connecting the companion device to the cellular network comprises means for using the companion device's subscriber identity module to connect to the cellular network. In a further exemplary embodiment, the at least one short-range high frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  It should be understood that apparatus 600 is capable of performing methods 200-400 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure and may be implemented as another form of companion device or as part thereof.

  The techniques described herein are described by an apparatus that implements one or more functions of a corresponding mobile entity described with an embodiment, as well as prior art means. So that it also has means for implementing one or more functions of the corresponding device being implemented, and may have separate means for each distinct function, or more than one means It may be implemented by various means such that it can be configured to perform the functions of For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or a combination thereof. In the case of firmware or software, implementation may be through modules (eg, procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. The software code may be stored in any suitable one or more processor / computer readable data storage media or one or more memory units or one or more products, and It may be executed by a processor / computer. The data storage medium or memory unit may be implemented within the processor / computer or external to the processor / computer, and if implemented externally, via various means known in the art. A processor / computer may be communicatively coupled.

  Those skilled in the art will envision many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure described herein that have the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. I want you to understand. Although specific terms are utilized herein, these terms are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (11)

A method,
Detecting in a companion device connected to a cellular network the presence of a primary device, wherein the detection of the primary device is detected by performing at least a scan according to a short-range radio frequency communication technique; and ,
In response to detecting that the primary device is present,
Connecting the companion device to the primary device according to the near field radio frequency communication technique; and
Disconnect the companion device from the cellular network;
Steps,
Responsive to detecting that the primary device is not present, maintaining a connection of the companion device to the cellular network;
A method comprising:   The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting that the primary device is present, the companion device is connected to the primary device as a short range hands-free accessory. Detecting whether a short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost;
Connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting that the short-range high-frequency link is lost;
The method of claim 2, further comprising:   The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the connection of the companion device to the cellular network comprises using a subscriber identity module of the companion device to connect to the cellular network.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the short-range high-frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique. A device connected to a cellular network,
At least one processor;
At least one memory containing computer program instructions;
Comprising
The at least one memory and computer program instructions, together with the at least one processor, on the apparatus, at least
Detecting the presence of a primary device, wherein the detection of the primary device is detected by performing at least a scan according to a short-range radio frequency communication technique;
In response to detecting that the primary device is present,
Connecting the apparatus to the primary device according to the short-range high-frequency communication technique; and
Disconnecting the device from the cellular network;
In response to detecting that the primary device is not present, maintaining the connection of the device to the cellular network;
The device is configured to let   The apparatus of claim 6, wherein in response to detecting that the primary device is present, the apparatus is connected to the primary device as a short range hands-free accessory. The apparatus further comprises at least:
Detecting whether a short-range high-frequency link between the apparatus and the primary device is lost;
Connecting the device to the cellular network upon detecting that the short-range high-frequency link is lost;
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is adapted to cause   7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus uses the apparatus's subscriber identity module to connect to the cellular network.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the short-range high-frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique. A non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, which when executed, on a device connected to a cellular network,
Detecting the presence of a primary device, wherein the detection of the primary device is detected by performing at least a scan according to a short-range radio frequency communication technique;
In response to detecting that the primary device is present,
Connecting the apparatus to the primary device according to the short-range high-frequency communication technique; and
Disconnecting the device from the cellular network;
In response to detecting that the primary device is not present, maintaining the connection of the device to the cellular network;
A medium configured to instruct to do.