JP3390398B2 - Communication system and communication control method using PHS data communication card - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system using a PHS card, and more particularly to a communication system for selecting a communication path having a high communication speed when connecting to the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a communication system of this type, P
An IC card unit including a CMCIA interface unit, a memory storing connection destination identification information, an IC card control unit that controls the IC card, and an infrastructure-compatible interface unit is provided for a plurality of infrastructures for multipoint connection with a system device. The IC card control unit, which is installed between the corresponding unit and receives the designation of the used infrastructure corresponding unit and the data communication start command input from the system device via the PCMCIA interface unit, searches the memory and designates. A communication system that detects infrastructure identification information, matches it with specified infrastructure identification information, selects a matching infrastructure corresponding part, and transmits information from the selected infrastructure corresponding part to an external infrastructure via an antenna is, for example, Kaihei 07-
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 234922 (first prior art).

As described above, in the first conventional technique, the IC card unit is not replaced for one infrastructure network arbitrarily set from a plurality of infrastructure networks by command control or the like for each call from the system device side. Data communication is enabled by the same system unit.

Also, a PCMCIA card type mobile unit equipped with an IC card consisting of a PCMCIA unit, a radio unit including a memory for storing communication protocol type information, and an antenna, a PCMCIA slot unit, and data communication. The control unit includes a memory for storing a plurality of communication protocol control information to be used, and an information terminal having data input / output, display, and edit processing means. When it is detected that the terminal is inserted in the PCMCIA slot part of the terminal, the communication protocol type information to be used is received from the memory of the mobile device, the corresponding communication protocol is selected from the memory of the control part, and the data communication by the selected communication protocol is performed. PCMCI to start
An A-card type mobile device system is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-16.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4171 (second prior art).

As described above, in the second conventional technique, a PCMCIA card having an antenna section and a wireless section of a mobile device is connected to a portable personal computer (personal computer) which is an information terminal, and communication protocol control is performed by software of the personal computer. By doing so, the functions on the mobile device side can be minimized, cost can be reduced, and size can be reduced. By changing the wireless unit and communication protocol, it is possible to support the frequencies of PHS and mobile phones, that is, one interface. It enables data communication using any of a plurality of communication protocols.

Further, when the PIAFS is mounted on the ISDN terminal adapter and the PHS to perform data communication with the partner terminal via the communication line, a bulk function is added to the communication of the PIAFS to simultaneously use a plurality of channels, make a call / receive a call, and terminate the call. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-027 discloses a data communication device that can change the number of channels in use and the number of channels in use according to the amount of communication, thereby increasing the speed and efficiency of data communication.
No. 740 (third prior art).

As described above, the third conventional technique is PIAFS.
A plurality of channels are simultaneously used by the bulk communication means added to, and the number of channels in use at the same time is adjusted depending on the call connection / termination and the communication volume.

[0008]

The first conventional technique is to install an IC card unit for one infrastructure network arbitrarily set from a plurality of infrastructure networks by command control etc. for each call from the system device side. It enables data communication by the same system device without replacement, and does not simultaneously make a call to a plurality of communication routes to the same called party.

The second prior art is an antenna section of a mobile unit,
By connecting a PCMCIA card with a wireless unit to a portable personal computer (personal computer) that is an information terminal and controlling the communication protocol by software of the personal computer, the functions on the mobile unit side can be reduced to a minimum and cost can be reduced. By downsizing and changing the radio section and the communication protocol, it is possible to support the frequencies of PHS and mobile phones, that is, data communication is possible using one of multiple communication protocols with one interface. However, it does not make simultaneous calls to a plurality of communication routes to the same called party.

A third conventional technique is to use a plurality of channels at the same time by a bulk communication means added to PIAFS, and adjust the number of channels being used at the same time depending on call connection / termination and communication traffic. It does not simultaneously send to the same called party through a plurality of communication routes.

An object of the present invention is to make a call to two communication paths at the same time when making a call and to connect to a communication path having a high communication speed.
It is to provide a communication system using an HS data communication card.

[0012]

A communication system using a PHS data communication card according to the present invention includes a data input / output,
When the PHS data communication card is attached to the information terminal having the display / edit function and the Internet provider of the same destination accommodated in the ISDN network is accessed, the ISD
Simultaneous transmission to multiple communication routes accommodated in N network,
It is characterized in that it has a communication route selecting means for preferentially selecting a communication route having the highest communication speed.

Further, the information terminal is a personal computer having a card connection means capable of detachably connecting the PHS data communication card.

Further, the PHS data communication card includes a transmitting means for simultaneously transmitting to a plurality of communication paths for the same destination, a communication speed determination information storage means, and a communication speed determination means for the plurality of communication paths. A communication path selecting means for selecting the communication path having the highest communication speed based on the determination result of the communication speed determining means; and a PIAHS (PHS Int).
ernet Access Forum Standard
rd) procedure control means, PHS interface means,
PCMCIA (Personal Computer)
Memory Card International
Association) interface means, P
It is characterized by having an IAHS control program storage means, a baseband unit, a radio unit, an antenna unit, and a control unit that controls the overall control.

The PHS data communication card is connected to the card connection unit of the information terminal via the card connection unit PCMCIA interface means, and
A connection cable is used to connect to an external PHS via the PHS interface means.

[0016] Further, the information terminal for connecting the PHS data communication card to the card connecting means via the PCMCIA interface means, and the master unit connected via a private radio channel via the antenna section of the PHS data communication card. Accommodating the PHS connected by a connection cable via the PHS interface means, a base station connected to the PHS via a public wireless channel, the master station, the base station, and the Internet provider. Having an ISDN network, when accessing the Internet provider, simultaneous transmission processing is performed through the private wireless channel and the public wireless channel, and a communication path with the highest communication speed is selected to form a data transmission path. It is characterized by doing.

According to the communication control method of the present invention, when a call requesting a call to the Internet provider is input from the information terminal, the communication is controlled by the master unit and the second communication route via the private wireless channel which is the first communication route. A first step of simultaneously transmitting to a base station via a certain public wireless channel, and a current channel use state returned from the master unit and the base station via a first communication path and a second communication path A second step of selecting a communication path having a high communication speed by collating the information with the communication speed determination information stored in advance; and a third step of releasing the communication path having a low communication speed. To do.

In the second step, both the communication paths of the first communication path and the second communication path 6
A fourth step of determining whether or not 4K PIAFS communication is possible, a fifth step of determining whether or not a preferential connection path is set when both communication paths are capable of 64K PIAFS communication, and a priority connection path The sixth step of connecting to the set communication path when there is a setting and releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path, and connecting to the connection path with a small communication charge or communication delay time when the priority connection path is not set ,
A seventh step of releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path, and when either one of the first communication path and the second communication path is capable of 64K PIAFS communication, the communication path is connected to the communication path. And an eighth step of releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path.

A ninth step of determining whether or not 32K PIAFS communication is possible when 64K PIAFS communication is not possible on both the first communication path and the second communication path, When the PIAFS communication of 32K is possible for both communication paths, it is determined whether or not the preferential connection path is set.
Step 0, the 11th step of connecting to the set communication path when the priority connection path is set and releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path, and the communication charge or communication when the priority connection path is not set A twelfth step of connecting to a connection path with a short delay time and releasing a wireless channel of the other communication path, and one of the first communication path and the second communication path is 32K PIAFS
A twelfth step of connecting to the communication path when communication is possible and releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path, and both the communication paths of the first communication path and the second communication path 3
And a thirteenth step of ending the calling process when 2K PIAFS communication is not possible.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a PHS data communication card, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of outgoing connection processing.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system using a PHS data communication card according to the present invention includes a personal computer 10 having a card connecting portion (not shown) in which a PHS data communication cart is detachably attached, and a personal computer 10. PHS detachably attached to the card connection part of
Data communication card 20 and PHS data communication card 20
And the PHS, which is connected to the PHS with a self-employed wireless channel.
The PHS 40 connected to the data communication card 20 by wire (connected by the connection cable 80), the base station 50 connected to the PHS 40 via a public wireless channel, the base unit 30 and the base station 50, the ISDN line or the telephone line 90, respectively. 1
The ISDN network 60 is connected to the ISDN network 60, and the Internet provider 70 is connected to the ISDN network 60 via the ISDN line or the telephone line 110.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the PHS data communication card 20 has a RAM 2 which is a work area of the CPU.
1 and a ROM 22 in which a program for controlling the operation of this system is stored, and communication speed determination information for performing communication at a higher speed and communication charge information corresponding to a communication path are registered. The PIAFS (PH) that controls the data communication between the CPU 23 that controls the programs stored in the PHS 40 and the wireless unit 26.
S Internet Access Forum S
control unit 24, a baseband unit 25 that performs signal processing necessary for PHS including A / D, D / A conversion function, codec processing function, etc., and a private wireless channel is used between the base unit. Radio unit 26 for transmitting and receiving various information
, The antenna 27, and a PCMCIA (Personal) to be attached to the card connection of the personal computer.
Computer Memory Card Int
It is composed of an international association) interface section 28 and a PHS interface section 29 for connecting to a PHS via a connection cable.

RAM 21, ROM 22, CPU 2
3, the PIAFS controller 24 and the baseband unit 25 are connected by an internal bus.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 together with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the outgoing connection processing to the provider will be described.

The user connects the PCMCI of the PHS data communication card 20 to the card connection section of the personal computer 10.
Insert the A interface unit 28 and use the connection cable 80 for the PHS interface unit 29 to connect the PHS
40 is connected and the telephone number of the desired provider 70 is input (step S101 in FIG. 3).

The PHS data communication card 20 transmits connection request information (channel setting request) to the provider 70 to the base unit 30 in a predetermined format by using the private radio channel via the antenna 27 to transmit to the provider 70. Send.

At the same time, the connection request information is also transmitted to the PHS 40 via the connection cable 80, and the PHS 40 transmits the connection request information (channel setting request) to the base station 50 using a public wireless channel in a predetermined format. (S102).

When the base unit 30 receives the connection request information, it searches the current channel use state to detect the presence / absence of a free channel, and the free channel information is sent to the PHS data communication card 20.
Reply to. Upon receiving the connection request information, the base station 50 similarly searches the current channel use state, detects the presence / absence of an empty channel, and returns the empty channel information to the PHS data communication card 20 via the PHS 40.

The PHS data communication card 20 is a base unit 30.
When the free channel information returned from the PHS 40 and the free channel information returned from the PHS 40 are received, the wireless connection state is confirmed based on the communication speed determination information stored in advance in the ROM 22 (S103).

The confirmation of the wireless connection state is first performed by PHS.
Data communication card 20 to master device 30 to communication path of ISDN network 60 (hereinafter, master device side path) and PHS data communication card 2
0 to PHS 40 to base station 50 to ISDN network 60 communication path (hereinafter referred to as PHS side path) with 64K PI
It is determined whether AFS communication is possible (S104).

If the result of determination in step S104 is that 64K PIAFS communication is possible for both routes, ROM
The presence / absence of registration of the preferential connection setting route information stored in 22 is determined (S108).

If the result of the determination in step S108 is that the priority connection setting route information is registered, it is connected to the registered priority connection setting route (for example, the base unit side route) and the other route (for example, the PHS side route) is connected. The wireless channel is released (S109).

If the result of determination in step S108 is that the preferential connection setting route information has not been registered, the communication charge information stored in the ROM 22 is referred to connect to the route with the lower communication charge, and the wireless channel of the other route is set. Release (S
110), when the called party (provider 70) responds (S)
113) and start communication (S114).

If the result of the determination in step S104 is that PIAFS communication of 64K on any of the routes is not possible, it is subsequently determined whether or not PIAFS communication of 64K on the master side route is possible (S105).

If the result of determination in step S105 is that PIAFS communication in which the parent device side route is 64K is possible, connection is made with the parent device side route, the wireless channel of the PHS side route is released (S111), and the destination (provider 70 ) Responds (S113), communication is started (S114).

If the result of the determination in step S105 is that PIAFS communication with the master side path of 64K is not possible, it is subsequently determined whether or not PIAFS communication with the PHS side path of 64K is possible (S106).

The determination result in step S106 is P
If PIAFS communication with the HS side route of 64K is possible, P
When the call is connected to the HS side route, the wireless channel of the master side route is released (S112), and the called party (provider 70) responds (S113), communication is started (S114).

The determination result in step S106 is P
If PIAFS communication with the HS side route of 64K is not possible,
Since 64K PIAFS communication is not possible for both the parent device side route and the PHS side route (S107), the process proceeds to the determination process shown in FIG. 4 as to whether 32K PIAFS communication is possible.

In step S107 (FIG. 3), if 64K PIAFS communication is not possible for both the parent device side route and the PHS side route, 32K PIAFS communication is continued on both the parent device side route and the PHS side route. Is determined (step S201 in FIG. 4).

If the result of determination in step S201 is that 32K PIAFS communication is possible for both routes, ROM
The presence / absence of registration of the priority connection setting route information stored in 22 is determined (S205).

If the result of the determination in step S205 is that the preferential connection setting route information is registered, it is connected to the registered preferential connection setting route (for example, the main unit side route) and the other route (for example, the PHS side route) is connected. The wireless channel is released (S206).

If the result of determination in step S205 is that the preferential connection setting route information has not been registered, the communication charge information stored in the ROM 22 is referred to connect to the route with the lower communication charge, and the wireless channel of the other route is set. Release (S
207), when the called party (provider 70) responds (S)
210) and communication is started (S211).

If the result of the determination in step S201 is that PIAFS communication of 32K on any of the routes is not possible, it is subsequently determined whether or not PIAFS communication of 32K on the parent device side is possible (S202).

If the result of determination in step S202 is that the master side path is 32K and PIAFS communication is possible, it is connected to the master side path, the wireless channel of the PHS side path is released (S208), and the destination (provider 70 ) Responds (S210), communication is started (S211).

If the result of the determination in step S202 is that PIAFS communication with the master side path of 32K is not possible, then it is determined whether or not PIAFS communication with the PHS side path of 32K is possible (S203).

The determination result in step S203 is P
P when PIAFS communication with 32K HS side route is possible
When the call is connected to the HS side route, the wireless channel of the master side route is released (S209), and the callee (provider 70) responds (S210), communication is started (S211).

The determination result in step S204 is P
If PIAFS communication with the HS side route of 32K is not possible,
Since PIAFS communication of 64K and 32K for both the parent device side route and the PHS side route is impossible (S204), the originating connection process is terminated.

As a result, all the radio channels of the main unit side route and the PHS side route are released and the standby state is set.

In this way, the personal computer 10
When accessing the Internet provider 70 from
The transmission process is performed at the same time for the two communication routes, the master side route and the PHS side route, and the communication route with a high communication speed is selected based on the current connection status information (vacant channel information) of the master side route and the PHS side route. High speed communication can be realized by selection.

For example, when the user desires PIAFS communication of 64K and requests the addition of one channel of 32K, the master unit 30 responds to the channel addition request from the PHS data communication card 20 and responds to the additional channel allocation. In the case where two self-employed wireless channels can be secured between the PHS 40 and the base station 30, and only one public wireless channel can be secured between the PHS 40 and the base station 50 while the additional channel allocation is rejected by the base station 50, Since 64K PIAFS communication with the base unit 30 is possible, the base unit side route is preferentially selected for data communication, and the public wireless channel of the PHS side route is released.

[0051]

As described above, the communication system and the communication control method using the PHS data communication card of the present invention, when accessing the Internet provider accommodated also in the ISDN, the main unit side route and the PHS side route Calling is performed simultaneously for the two communication routes using the private wireless channel and the public wireless channel, and the master side route and PHS are used.
High-speed communication can be realized by selecting a communication path with a high communication speed based on the current connection state information (vacant channel information) of the side path.

When selecting a communication route, first 64
It is checked whether K PIAFS communication is possible. If both communication routes are capable of 64K PIAFS communication, one of the communication routes is connected according to the preset priority connection information, so the desired communication route is used. This enables high-speed communication.

Further, when PIAFS communication of 64K is impossible on either of the communication paths, the communication path that can be communicated is automatically selected and connected. It is possible to avoid the trouble of making a call again to the other communication path.

If 64K PIAFS communication is impossible, it is checked whether 32K PIAFS communication is possible.
64K PI is automatically selected because the communication path that can communicate is automatically selected.
When AFS communication is impossible, a redial operation for 32K PIAFS communication is unnecessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a PHS data communication card of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an outgoing connection process of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an outgoing connection process of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 personal computer 20 PHS data communication card 21 RAM 22 ROM 23 CPU 24 PIAFS controller 25 Baseband section 26 radio section 27 antenna 28 PCMCIA interface section 29 PHS interface 30 base unit 40 PHS 50 base stations 60 ISDN network 70 Internet Provider 80 connection cable 90 ISDN line or telephone line 100 ISDN line or telephone line 110 ISDN line or telephone line

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/56 H04Q 7/38

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ISD equipped with a PHS data communication card in an information terminal having data input / output, display and editing functions.
When accessing the same destination Internet provider accommodated in the N network, transmission is simultaneously made to a plurality of communication routes accommodated in the ISDN network, and a communication route selection in which the communication route having the highest communication speed is preferentially selected A communication system using a PHS data communication card, characterized by comprising means. 2. The communication system using a PHS data communication card according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is a personal computer having a card connection means capable of detachably connecting the PHS data communication card. . 3. The PHS data communication card, a calling means for simultaneously making a call to a plurality of communication paths for the same destination, a communication speed determination information storage means, and a communication speed determination means of the plurality of communication paths, A communication path selecting means for selecting the communication path having the highest communication speed based on the determination result of the communication speed determining means, and a PIAHS (PHS Inter).
net Access Forum Standard
d) Procedure control means, PHS interface means, P
CMCIA (Personal Computer Me
more Card International A
association) interface means and PIA
The communication system using the PHS data communication card according to claim 1, further comprising: an HS control program storage means, a baseband unit, a radio unit, an antenna unit, and a control unit that controls the overall control. 4. The PHS data communication card is connected to the card connecting unit of the information terminal via the card connecting unit PCMCIA interface unit, and externally connected via a connecting cable via the PHS interface unit. A connection with a PHS is provided, and it is characterized by the above-mentioned.
A communication system using the described PHS data communication card. 5. The PHS data communication card is connected to the PC.
The information terminal connected to the card connection means via the MCIA interface means, the master unit connected via a private radio channel via the antenna section of the PHS data communication card, and the connection cable via the PHS interface means. The PHS to be connected, a base station connected to the PHS via a public wireless channel, an ISDN network accommodating the base unit, the base station, and the Internet provider, respectively, to the Internet provider 2. When accessing, the transmission process is simultaneously executed via the private wireless channel and the public wireless channel, and the communication path with the highest communication speed is selected to form the data transmission path. A communication system using a PHS data communication card. 6. When an outgoing call request to the Internet provider, which is input from the information terminal, is generated, the self-employed wireless channel, which is the first communication path, and the public wireless channel, which is the second communication path, are used. And the current channel use status information returned from the master unit and the base station via the first communication path and the second communication path are stored in advance. A communication control method, comprising: a second step of matching a predetermined communication speed determination information to select a communication path having a high communication speed; and a third step of releasing a communication path having a low communication speed. 7. The first step in the second step
64K for both the communication path of the second communication path and the communication path of the second communication path
No. 4 of the PIAFS communication is determined, and a fifth step of determining whether or not the preferential connection path is set when both communication paths are capable of 64K PIAFS communication, and the setting of the preferential connection path The sixth step of connecting to the set communication path when there is, and releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path, and connecting to the connection path with a low communication charge when the priority connection path is not set, and the other communication path And a seventh step of releasing the wireless channel of the first communication path and the communication path of one of the first communication path and the second communication path is 6
The communication control method according to claim 6, further comprising: an eighth step of connecting to the communication path when 4K PIAFS communication is possible and releasing the wireless channel of the other communication path. 8. A ninth step of determining whether or not 32K PIAFS communication is possible when 64K PIAFS communication is not possible on both the first communication path and the second communication path, A tenth step of determining whether or not a preferential connection path is set when PIAFS communication of 32K is possible for both of the communication paths, and connecting to the set communication path when the preferential connection path is set, and wireless communication of the other communication path An eleventh step of releasing a channel; a twelfth step of connecting to a connection path with a low communication charge when a priority connection path is not set and releasing a wireless channel of the other communication path; and the first communication path And when any one of the second communication path and the second communication path is capable of 32K PIAFS communication, the twelfth step is to connect to the communication path and release the wireless channel of the other communication path. 8. A thirteenth step of terminating the transmission processing when PIAFS communication of 32K is disabled on both the first communication path and the second communication path. Communication control method.