JP4036447B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method, and more particularly to a technique for controlling a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, etc., which are personal area wireless communication systems using radio waves, have attracted attention. Wireless LAN devices are becoming increasingly popular in office environments, and portable devices that adopt the Bluetooth method are expected to be similarly spread.
[0003]
As the use of wireless LAN and Bluetooth wireless communication systems is increased in the future, portable wireless communication terminal devices equipped with wireless LAN and Bluetooth wireless communication systems will be used in the desk environment of each individual in the office. It is considered to proceed with the conference while performing wireless communication.
[0004]
The Bluetooth communication system is a wireless communication standard for short-range communication, and communication distances within 10 m or 100 m are considered. In particular, in communication within 10 m, the wireless output power can be kept small, so that the power consumption of the device can be reduced and the device can be downsized.
[0005]
Bluetooth uses a frequency band called the 2.4 GHz band ISM (Industrial Science Medical) band, uses a frequency hopping method as a spread spectrum technology, and can connect up to eight devices by time division multiplexing. is there.
[0006]
In the Bluetooth communication system, one device is a master and the other device is a slave, and an ad hoc network called a piconet can be formed. One piconet can accommodate a maximum of seven slave devices.
[0007]
Conventionally, one device is configured to include one Bluetooth communication module.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a portable wireless communication terminal device is brought into the conference room and used, when a Bluetooth ad hoc network is formed in the conference room, only one slave can be connected to a maximum of seven slaves at the same time. In order to form an ad hoc network when seven or more slaves are brought into the conference room, it is necessary to use a piconet called a scatternet considered in the Bluetooth standard and an inter-piconet communication method that straddles the piconet. Conceivable.
[0009]
However, in order to use the scatternet, a Bluetooth device compatible with the scatternet is required. However, since the specifications of the standardization of the scatternet were not finalized in the initial Bluetooth standard, There are Bluetooth devices that are not compatible with the Internet.
[0010]
Therefore, among Bluetooth devices brought into the conference room, there is a possibility that a device compatible with the scatternet and a device that is not compatible may coexist. Therefore, seven devices are used without using the scatternet in the conference room. A general-purpose method for making the above slaves available is advantageous to the user.
[0011]
As a method to connect seven or more slaves brought into the conference room over the network without using a scatternet, prepare multiple Bluetooth master devices in the conference room and connect the master devices to each other using a method other than Bluetooth. To communicate with each other.
[0012]
When installing a conference host device in a conference room, the host device is provided with a plurality of Bluetooth communication devices, and each Bluetooth communication device becomes a master, and a plurality of piconets are formed, so that seven or more slaves are provided. A piconet connection can be established with the host device. Communication between multiple piconets is relayed by the host device.
[0013]
When using a host device in a conference room equipped with a plurality of Bluetooth communication devices as described above, it is possible to freely determine which slave device to connect to which Bluetooth communication device of the host device on the slave device side. Depending on the operation of the user of the slave device, seven slave devices are connected to a certain master, but there may be a situation in which only one slave is connected to another master.
[0014]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional wireless communication apparatus 200. As shown in FIG.
[0015]
In the conventional wireless communication apparatus 200, seven slave devices (wireless communication terminals T1 to T7) are connected to a certain master (wireless communication module M1), but other masters (wireless communication module M3) are connected. It is a figure which shows the state in which only one slave apparatus (wireless communication terminal T8) is connected.
[0016]
The host device 10a in the conference room includes three Bluetooth wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3. There are a total of eight wireless communication terminals T1 to T8 equipped with Bluetooth wireless communication modules in the conference room, and wireless communication connections are indicated by broken line arrows.
[0017]
In the example shown in FIG. 13, seven wireless communication terminals T1 to T7 are connected to the wireless communication module M1, and there is no wireless communication terminal to be connected to the wireless communication module M2, and the wireless communication module M3 has a wireless communication terminal. One unit of T8 is connected.
[0018]
When communication is started between conventional Bluetooth devices, Bluetooth devices existing in the vicinity are searched and discovered (step 1), and a device to be connected to communication is selected from the discovered devices (step 2). Communication connection to the device is started (step 3).
[0019]
Next, an operation of starting communication between conventional Bluetooth devices will be described in more detail.
[0020]
First, using a wireless communication terminal equipped with a Bluetooth communication module, an operation called “Inquiry” is performed to search for Bluetooth devices existing in the vicinity. The device name “device name” of the Bluetooth device responding to the inquiry and the unique address “BD_ADDR (Bluetooth Device Address)” possessed by the communication module of each Bluetooth device can be acquired.
[0021]
Many conventional devices are configured to display a list of inquiry results on a display device.
[0022]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen as a result of performing an inquiry operation from the wireless communication terminal T1 in the conventional example.
[0023]
As a result of the search, a list of discovered device names and BD_ADDR (shown as addresses in the figure) is displayed in a list. As shown in FIG. 13, the host device in the conference room includes wireless communication modules that are three Bluetooth communication modules. Each Bluetooth communication module responds to the inquiry, and each device name is “wireless communication module M1”. ”,“ Wireless communication module M2 ”,“ wireless communication module M3 ”, and their respective addresses“ BD_ADDR ”. In FIG. 14, the address value is omitted.
[0024]
In addition to the host device, device names and addresses notified by wireless communication terminals T2 to T8 existing in the vicinity in response to the inquiry are displayed in the list. In FIG. 14, the notation of the wireless communication terminals T3 to T7 is omitted. When the user selects a partner device to be connected from this list and designates a connection button, a wireless communication connection is started to the selected device.
[0025]
When the communication device is selected according to the above procedure, there is no restriction on the selection of the counterpart device to be connected. For example, the user can select and connect to “wireless communication module M1”. Since other wireless communication terminals in the conference room can be operated in the same manner as described above, the user of the wireless communication terminals T1 to T7 accidentally selects the wireless communication module M1 and the user of the wireless communication terminal T8. However, when the wireless communication module M3 is selected, the connection status shown in FIG. 13 occurs.
[0026]
That is, the piconet P1 having the radio communication module M1 as a master and the seven radio communication terminals T1 to T7 as slaves, and the piconet having the radio communication module M3 as a master and one radio communication terminal T8 as a slave. Two piconets with P3 are formed.
[0027]
The Bluetooth piconet is a communication method in which the master polls the slaves in the piconet. Moreover, since it is a time division multiplexing communication method as described above, it is assigned to one slave when the number of slaves increases. The ratio of communication time is reduced, and the transmission efficiency per slave is reduced.
[0028]
Therefore, comparing the slaves in the piconet with seven slaves and the slaves in the piconet with only one slave polled by the master, the slaves in the piconet with seven slaves exist. The polling frequency is lower, and as a result, the bandwidth that the slave can use for data transmission becomes narrower.
[0029]
In other words, even in an ad hoc network based on the Bluetooth communication method generated in the same conference room, there is a problem that if the number of slaves connected to the master is biased, there is a difference in the usable transmission band depending on the slave.
[0030]
In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the wireless communication modules T1 to T7 are biased and connected to the wireless communication module M1 even though the wireless communication module M2 of the host device is not connected to the wireless communication module M2. Therefore, the transmission band that can be used per wireless communication terminal is narrower than the transmission band that can be used by the wireless communication terminal T8.
[0031]
In order to solve this problem, the number of slaves connected to each master may be averaged to distribute the load on each piconet.
[0032]
In the wireless LAN system standardized as IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11a with the same wireless radio wave communication method, a method of distributing the load of an access point to which a communication terminal is connected is known. Hereinafter, a load balancing method in a wireless LAN will be described.
[0033]
A communication method called an infrastructure mode using an access point is widely used. An access point is a device that relays between wireless communication terminal T devices in a wireless LAN system standardized as IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11a, and relays between a wired LAN system and a wireless LAN system.
In order to communicate between wireless LAN devices, channels belonging to the same BSS (Basic Service Set) and having the same radio frequency band are used. In the IEEE802.11b system, the radio channel has a bandwidth of 22 MHz, and 14 channels are defined. An ID for identifying the BSS is called a BSSID, and the same BSSID is set in each of the access point and the wireless communication terminal. If the same BSSID is set for different access points, the network can continue to be used without changing the setting of the wireless communication terminal if the wireless communication terminal is reconnected to the destination access point to which the wireless communication terminal has moved. This is called roaming.
[0034]
Using the above roaming, for example, wireless LAN can be used in each individual's desk environment, wireless communication terminals connected to the network can be carried to the conference room via peripheral access points, and wireless communication can be performed from the conference room Since it is possible to perform roaming access to other access points, there is no need to change the connection between the access points, which is convenient for the user.
[0035]
When the same BSSID is set for the access points around the desk environment and other access points capable of wireless communication from the conference room and different frequency channels are used, the terminal is connected to the access points around the desk environment. If the wireless communication is not possible, other access points including channels other than the frequency channel used so far are searched. When a roaming access point that is within the radio wave reach and has a common BSSID is found, the access point is connected.
[0036]
In addition, load balancing (load balancing) is used to distribute the load on a wireless LAN by connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals connected to an access point from an access point with a high load to an access point with a low degree of congestion. This function is a switching function. By using the roaming function, the load balancing (load distribution) can be dynamically realized without changing the setting of the wireless communication terminal.
[0037]
When performing load balancing, the wireless communication terminal checks the congestion status of the wireless LAN by checking the packet error rate, which is the probability that a packet during wireless communication will be an error, and the latency, which is the response time of packet communication. When the packet error rate or latency becomes larger than a predetermined setting value, an access point capable of roaming is searched for.
[0038]
Specifically, in other frequency channels, a beacon signal periodically transmitted by an access point is detected, an access point is searched, and the number of wireless communication terminals connected to the searched access point is determined. Connect to the fewest access points. In this way, load balancing has been put into practical use.
[0039]
However, when trying to implement the load balancing function mechanism implemented by the wireless LAN communication method in the Bluetooth communication method having the plurality of Bluetooth communication methods, the packet error rate, latency, etc. are checked, and other access It is necessary to execute the process of connecting to points on the terminal side, which increases the processing load on the terminal side.
[0040]
When the processing load becomes heavy, a high-performance CPU is required, and the operation power consumption of the mobile terminal increases. Therefore, there is a problem that the advantage of small size and low power consumption, which is an advantage of the Bluetooth wireless system, is impaired. In addition, since the load balancing function must be implemented in each slave terminal device, there is a problem that it is not possible to accommodate a slave device that does not have the load balancing function installed in the conference room.
[0041]
  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to average the transmission band that can be used by each wireless communication terminal.
[0042]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention provides a wireless communication apparatus having a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals, wherein the host device includes the plurality of wireless communication modules, a wireless communication terminal, and the like. A first mode in which each wireless communication module responds to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal according to the determination by the determining means and the determination means, or the wireless A setting unit configured to set a second mode in which no response is made to a search signal transmitted from a communication terminal; and an identification unit that identifies use priorities of the plurality of wireless communication modules. Each wireless communication module is set to the first mode or the second mode according to the determination by the determination unit and the identification by the identification unit. Is a wireless communication apparatus characterized by.
[0044]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0045]
The host device 10 includes three wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3 corresponding to the Bluetooth standard. Each wireless communication module serves as a master device, and can connect up to seven slave devices (wireless terminal devices) to form a piconet formed by an independent hopping sequence.
[0046]
Each of the wireless communication terminals T1 to T8 includes a wireless communication module corresponding to the Bluetooth standard, and a user (not shown) operates each wireless communication terminal to wirelessly connect to the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3 of the host device 10, Form a piconet and communicate with each other.
[0047]
In FIG. 1, broken line arrows represent wireless connection between devices, the wireless communication module M1 as a master device, the piconet P1 having wireless communication terminals T1 to T3 as slave devices, and the wireless communication module M2 as a master device, and wireless communication. Three piconets are formed: a piconet P2 having terminals T4 to T6 as slave devices, and a piconet P3 having wireless communication modules M7 as master devices and wireless communication terminals T7 and T8 as slave devices. A wireless communication terminal which is a slave device belonging to each piconet communicates via the host device 10.
[0048]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the host device 10 used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0049]
The host device 10 includes a control unit 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a wireless communication module M1, a wireless communication module M2, and a wireless communication module M3.
[0050]
The control means 21 is a microcomputer that operates according to a program stored in the ROM 22, controls the operations of the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3, and receives data received by the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3. Are stored in the RAM 23, and various controls are performed such as transmitting data read from the RAM 23 to the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3.
[0051]
The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory, is connected to the control means 21, and stores an operation program of the control means 21, initial setting data, a connection priority of the wireless communication module, and the like.
[0052]
The RAM 23 is a readable / writable memory, is connected to the control means 21, and serves as a buffer for data received from each wireless communication module, a temporary storage for data to be transmitted, a storage for other settings, a work area for the control means 21, etc. used.
[0053]
Each of the wireless communication module M1, the wireless communication module M2, and the wireless communication module M3 is connected to the control unit 21 and includes a communication control microcomputer that enables wireless communication corresponding to the Bluetooth standard, and interprets a command from the control unit 21. The operation of the wireless communication module can be controlled.
[0054]
Each of the modules M1, M2, and M3 includes a non-volatile memory that stores a unique BD_ADDR (Bluetooth Device Address) and the like, and includes a high-frequency circuit unit, an encoding / decoding circuit unit, a FIFO memory, and the like necessary for wireless communication. The antenna is connected.
[0055]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the radio communication terminal T1 used in the first embodiment.
[0056]
The configurations of the wireless communication terminals T2 to T8 are the same as the configuration of the wireless communication terminal T1.
[0057]
The wireless communication terminal T1 only needs to include the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, and may include a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device in addition to this configuration.
[0058]
The wireless communication terminal T1 includes a control unit 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, and a wireless communication unit 36, and is connected to each other by a system bus 37 as shown in FIG. Has been.
[0059]
The control means 31 is a microcomputer, operates according to a program stored in the ROM 32, and controls each means connected via the system bus 37.
[0060]
The ROM 32 is a non-volatile memory, and stores an operation program for the control means 31, initial setting data, and the like.
[0061]
The RAM 33 is a readable / writable memory, and is used as a buffer for data received from the wireless communication module, a temporary storage for data to be transmitted, a storage for other settings, a work area for the control means 31, and the like.
[0062]
The operation unit 34 includes buttons, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and converts an operation by a user of the wireless communication terminal into an electric signal.
[0063]
The display means 35 is configured by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays a message to the user, an operation instruction, the state of the wireless communication terminal, and the like.
[0064]
The wireless communication unit 36 includes a communication control microcomputer that enables wireless communication corresponding to the Bluetooth standard, and can interpret the command from the control unit 31 and control the operation of the wireless communication module.
[0065]
Each module has a non-volatile memory for storing a unique BD_ADDR (Bluetooth Device Address), etc., and is composed of a high-frequency circuit unit, an encoding / decoding circuit unit, a FIFO memory, etc. necessary for wireless communication, and an antenna is connected. Yes.
[0066]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the host device 10.
[0067]
The host device 10 inquires of each wireless communication module M1, M2, M3 from the control means 21 whether or not there is a wireless terminal connected to the plurality of wireless communication modules M1, M2, M3. Based on the responses returned by the modules M1, M2, and M3, it is determined whether there is a wireless communication terminal connected to the host device 10 (S401).
[0068]
When there is at least one wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module M1, M2, M3 (YES), the number of terminals connected to the host device 10 is the maximum number of terminals that can be connected to the host device 10. Whether or not (S402).
[0069]
If the number of terminals currently connected to the host device 10 is smaller than the maximum number of terminals that can be connected (NO), the number of wireless communication terminals that are currently connected is the smallest or a plurality of wireless communication modules. It is determined whether it exists (S403).
[0070]
In process S403, if the number of wireless communication modules with the minimum number of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module is single (YES), the wireless communication module with the minimum number of connected terminals is “searchable”. "Mode" is set, the other wireless communication modules are set to "search not possible mode" (S404), and this process ends.
[0071]
The “searchable mode” is an operation mode in which an inquiry response is returned when an inquiry signal is detected in which a wireless communication terminal searches for a nearby Bluetooth device. On the other hand, in the “unsearchable mode”, an inquiry response is not returned even if the inquiry is detected, and the wireless communication terminal is not connected to the wireless communication terminal even by a page where the wireless communication terminal directly communicates using the BD_ADDR of the wireless communication module. It is an operation mode.
[0072]
If it is determined in step S402 that the number of wireless communication terminals currently connected to the host device 10 is equal to the maximum number of terminals that can be connected to the host device 10, more wireless communication terminals are connected to the host device 10. Therefore, all the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 are set to the “discoverable mode” (S405).
[0073]
If it is determined in step S401 that there is no wireless terminal connected to the host device 10 (NO), the priority of the wireless communication module preset in the ROM 22 is examined, A wireless communication module with a high priority is set to “searchable mode”, and the other wireless communication modules are set to “searchable mode” (S406).
[0074]
Furthermore, in step S403, if it is determined that the number of wireless communication modules connected to the wireless communication module is the smallest (NO), the number of connected wireless communication terminals is the smallest. Among wireless communication modules, the wireless communication module with the highest priority is searched with reference to the ROM 22, the wireless communication module with the highest priority is set to “searchable mode”, and another wireless communication module is set. Is set to the “unsearchable mode” (S407).
[0075]
After the host device 10 is powered on, an initialization process is executed, and the process shown in FIG. 4 is started. The processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed when the number of wireless communication terminals connected to the host device 10 changes after the connected wireless communication terminal disconnects after execution after power-on. The process shown in 4 is started.
[0076]
When the inquiry is executed in order to search for Bluetooth devices existing in the vicinity by executing the processing shown in FIG. 4, among the wireless communication modules M 1, M 2, and M 3 of the host device 10, Only the wireless communication module set to “searchable mode” operates so as to return a response to the inquiry.
[0077]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen as a result of an inquiry operation from a new wireless communication terminal (not illustrated) in the wireless connection state illustrated in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment.
[0078]
In FIG. 5, as described in the conventional example, the device names discovered as a result of the search and the BD_ADDR (shown as addresses in the figure) are listed. As shown in FIG. 1, the host device 10 in the conference room includes three Bluetooth communication devices. However, only the Bluetooth communication device with the minimum number of wireless communication terminals connected by the above processing is the “searchable mode”. Therefore, at most one wireless communication module can be found.
[0079]
In the state shown in FIG. 1, since the number of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M3 is the smallest, only the wireless communication module M3 responds to the inquiry and receives the device name “wireless communication module M3”, the address, return it. The wireless communication terminal that has performed the inquiry operation receives these pieces of information and displays them on the display device. In FIG. 5, the device name “wireless communication module M3” is displayed in the list.
[0080]
Unlike the conventional example, the other wireless communication modules M1 and M2 do not respond to the inquiry and are therefore not discovered and therefore not displayed in the list. The device names and addresses notified in response to the inquiry by the wireless communication terminals T1 to T8 existing in the vicinity in addition to the host device 10 are displayed in the list as in the conventional example. In FIG. 5, the notation of the wireless communication terminals T2 to T7 is omitted.
[0081]
When the user selects a partner device to be connected from this list and designates a connection button, the wireless communication terminal operates to start a wireless communication connection to the selected device. Since only the wireless communication module M3 set to the “searchable mode” can be found among the wireless communication modules of the host device 10, the user selects the wireless communication module M3 and wirelessly connects to the host device 10.
[0082]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the host device 10 when the wireless communication terminal makes a connection request to the host device 10.
[0083]
When the host device 10 detects a connection request issued by the wireless communication terminal, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is started.
[0084]
First, the wireless communication module that has received the connection request determines whether or not a new wireless communication terminal can be connected (S601). If the wireless communication module is set to the “searchable mode”, the connection is possible (YES), and the connection process with the wireless communication terminal is performed (S602).
[0085]
Next, it is determined whether or not the number of terminals currently connected to the host device 10 is the maximum number of terminals that can be connected to the host device 10 (S603). In this embodiment, the number of wireless communication modules of the host device 10 is 3, and the maximum number of terminals that can be connected to each module is 7, so the maximum number of terminals that can be connected to the host device 10 is 21. It is. If the number of connected terminals is less than 21, the number of terminals currently connected to each wireless communication module is compared (S604). As a result of the comparison, it is determined whether the number of wireless communication modules with the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is single or plural (S605).
[0086]
In the process S605, when the number of wireless communication terminals with the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is single (YES), the wireless communication module with the smallest number of connected terminals is set to the “searchable mode”. Then, the other wireless communication module is set to the “unsearchable mode” (S606), and this process ends.
[0087]
If it is determined in step S605 that the number of connected wireless communication terminals is the smallest (NO), the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is determined. In step S607, it is determined whether the wireless communication module that performed the connection process last is included. If the wireless communication module that has been connected last is included (YES), the wireless communication module is set as the wireless communication module with the smallest number of connections (S608), and the process S606 is executed. By doing so, the process of switching the wireless communication module in the “searchable mode” to another module can be omitted.
[0088]
If it is determined in step S607 that the wireless communication module with the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals does not include the wireless communication module that has performed the connection processing last (NO), the ROM 22 stores in advance. Check the priority of the wireless communication module that has been set, and set the wireless communication module with the highest priority among the wireless communication modules with the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals to “searchable mode”. The other wireless communication module is set to the “search disabled mode” (S609), and the process S606 is executed.
[0089]
If it is determined in step S603 that the number of terminals currently connected to the host device 10 is equal to the maximum number of terminals connectable to the host device 10, more wireless communication terminals are connected to the host device 10. Therefore, all the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 are set to the “search disabled mode” (S610).
[0090]
Furthermore, in step S601, when the wireless communication module that has received the connection request determines that a new wireless communication terminal cannot be connected, the process proceeds to the process illustrated in FIG.
[0091]
FIG. 7 shows that in the above embodiment, a connection rejection response is once sent to the wireless communication terminal, and if there is a wireless communication module to which the host device 10 can be connected, the wireless communication module is connected to the wireless communication terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which sends a request | requirement and performs communication connection.
[0092]
First, the address BD_ADDR of the wireless communication terminal that has issued a connection request to the host device 10 is acquired and stored in the RAM 23 (S701). Next, a response rejecting the connection to the wireless communication terminal is returned (S702), and it is determined whether there is a connectable wireless communication module among the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 (S703). If there is a connectable wireless communication module (YES), the wireless communication module is selected (S704). For the selected wireless communication module, the control unit 21 stores the address BD_ADDR of the wireless communication terminal stored in step S701. And instruct the wireless communication terminal to issue a connection request.
[0093]
The wireless communication module that has received the instruction from the control means 21 transmits a wireless connection request to the wireless communication terminal (S705), and performs connection processing with the wireless communication terminal (S706).
[0094]
If it is determined in step S703 that there is no connectable wireless communication module among the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 (NO), the process returns to FIG.
[0095]
As described above, when the host device 10 of this embodiment is used, the wireless communication module of the host device 10 that responds to the search from the wireless communication terminal is always the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected terminals. In addition, since only one wireless communication module responds to the inquiry, the wireless communication terminal requests connection to the wireless communication module of the host device 10 discovered as a result of the search and performs wireless communication connection in accordance with the conventional procedure. Just enough. A wireless communication terminal can be found.
[0096]
Therefore, the wireless communication module that can be found by the wireless communication terminal is always the wireless communication module with the smallest number of connected terminals, that is, the wireless communication module with the highest transmission efficiency. The wireless communication usage band in the module is averaged, and the conventional problem that the transmission efficiency with the host device is biased by the wireless communication module of the connection destination is solved.
[0097]
In addition, when the wireless communication terminal starts connection to the wireless communication module of the host device 10 discovered as a result of the search, the wireless communication in which another wireless communication terminal has already performed connection processing and the number of connected terminals is the minimum Although the case where the module is changed to another wireless communication module is considered, the connection request from the wireless communication terminal is temporarily rejected by the processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the connected wireless communication is performed. Since the wireless communication module having the smallest number of terminals is connected to the wireless communication terminal that has refused the connection request, the user of the wireless communication terminal reconnects the wireless communication module to which the host device 10 can be connected. There exists an effect that it is not necessary to perform the operation to search.
[0098]
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the number of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module included in the host device 10 is averaged, and the transmission band that can be used by each wireless communication terminal is averaged. In the second embodiment, This is an embodiment in which the transmission bandwidth requested by the wireless communication terminal is acquired and averaged.
[0099]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
[0100]
Depending on the communication application executed in the wireless communication terminal, the required transmission band may differ as follows.
[0101]
For example, when performing real-time transmission such as voice data communication, a transmission band necessary for voice communication is reserved and secured in order to prevent data from being interrupted. The Bluetooth communication method is standardized as a synchronous communication link (SCO link: Synchronous Connection Oriented link).
[0102]
On the other hand, in devices such as keyboards, mice, and remote controllers where humans mainly input operations, it is only necessary to transmit control keys. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted / received per unit time is sufficiently small compared to audio data. Furthermore, since it is sufficient if it can follow the human input operation speed, asynchronous communication is sufficient, and even if these are considered together, the required data transmission band may be small.
[0103]
Accordingly, the host device 10 associates with the type of communication application used by the wireless communication terminal, manages the reserved transmission bandwidth for each wireless communication module, and the host device 10 transmits the transmission bandwidth reserved for the wireless communication module. The reserved transmission bandwidth of each wireless communication module can be averaged by minimizing the width, that is, by setting the wireless communication module having the largest available transmission bandwidth to the “searchable mode”.
[0104]
In addition, when the wireless communication terminal connects to the wireless communication module of the host device 10, it is necessary by negotiating what application is scheduled to be used and what transmission band is required. For example, once a connection request from a wireless communication terminal is rejected and the wireless communication module with the smallest reserved transmission band is averaged so that the transmission band of each wireless communication module is averaged when the wireless communication terminal is connected, Operates to connect to a communication terminal.
[0105]
Details of the above operation will be described below.
[0106]
The system configuration, the host device 10, and the configuration of the wireless communication terminal are as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
[0107]
The maximum data transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication module provided in the host device 10 and the reserved bandwidth used by the application used in the wireless communication terminal are defined as follows. For simplicity, the magnitude is represented by a simple integer value.
[0108]
The maximum data transmission bandwidth of each of the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3 included in the host device 10 is “14”. When voice data communication is performed between the wireless communication terminal and the host device 10, the reserved transmission bandwidth is “4”. In addition, the transmission bandwidth reserved for input control communication such as a keyboard, mouse, and remote controller is “1”, and the transmission bandwidth reserved for other communications such as file transfer is “2”.
[0109]
Therefore, only one wireless communication terminal that performs voice data communication (a transmission bandwidth of 4 × 3 = 12) can be connected to one wireless communication module of the host device 10. Since the remaining transmission band is 2 (= 14-12), only one wireless communication terminal that performs other communication (transmission bandwidth 2) or two wireless communication terminals that perform input control communication can be connected. It is.
[0110]
The host device 10 manages the reserved transmission bandwidth of each wireless communication module with the RAM 23 and sets the wireless communication module having the smallest reserved transmission bandwidth to the “searchable mode”.
[0111]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the host device 10 in the above embodiment.
[0112]
The overall flow of the processing operation of the host device 10 is the same as the operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0113]
The processes S801, S805, S806, and S807 are the same as the processes S401, S405, S406, and S407 in FIG.
[0114]
The points where the processes S802, S803, and S804 differ from the first embodiment are as described below.
[0115]
In step S801, the host device 10 inquires of the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3 from the control means 21 whether there is a wireless terminal connected to each of the plurality of wireless communication modules. Based on the returned response, it is determined whether there is a wireless terminal connected to the host device 10.
[0116]
If there is at least one wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module (YES), step S802 is executed to determine whether any of the wireless communication modules has a free transmission bandwidth.
[0117]
If there is a free transmission bandwidth, there is a connectable wireless communication module (YES), and the process proceeds to step S803. If there is no free transmission bandwidth, there is no connectable wireless communication module (NO), and the process proceeds to step S805.
[0118]
In step S803, the reserved transmission bandwidths of the wireless communication modules are compared to determine whether the number of wireless communication modules having the smallest reserved transmission bandwidth is single or plural. If it is single (YES), the wireless communication module having the smallest reserved transmission bandwidth is set to “searchable mode”, and the other wireless communication modules are set to “searchable mode” (S804), This process ends.
[0119]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when a connection request is issued from the wireless communication terminal to the host device 10.
[0120]
In the second embodiment, the wireless communication terminal notifies the host device 10 of the scheduled transmission bandwidth to be used when sending a connection request to the host device 10. When the wireless communication device performs voice communication, “4” is notified as the planned transmission bandwidth, “1” is notified as the planned transmission bandwidth when it is the input control communication, and in the case of other communication, it is scheduled. “2” is notified as the transmission bandwidth.
[0121]
The host device 10 should connect the wireless communication terminal to the wireless communication module that has received the connection request as it is based on the scheduled transmission bandwidth value notified from the wireless communication terminal and the current empty transmission bandwidth value. Or whether to connect to another wireless communication module in order to average the transmission bandwidth.
[0122]
The overall processing flow in the second embodiment is the same as the operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0123]
Processes S901, S902, S907, and S910 are the same as the processes S601, S602, S607, and S610 of FIG.
[0124]
The processes S903, S904, S905, S906, S908, and S909 are different from the first embodiment, and the operation will be described below.
[0125]
When the host device 10 detects a connection request issued from the wireless communication terminal to the host device 10, this process is started.
[0126]
First, the wireless communication module that has received the connection request determines whether or not a new wireless communication terminal can be connected (S901). The wireless communication terminal acquires the number of transmission bandwidths to be used. If the wireless communication module is set to “searchable mode” and the number of available transmission connection bands is larger than the reserved transmission bandwidth number of the acquired wireless communication terminal, connection is possible (YES). Is connected (S902).
[0127]
Next, it is determined whether there is a wireless communication module having a vacant transmission bandwidth among the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 (S903). If there is a wireless communication module having a free transmission bandwidth (YES), the number of reserved bandwidths used for each wireless communication module is compared (S904). As a result of the comparison, it is determined whether there is a single wireless communication module or a plurality of wireless communication modules having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used (S905).
[0128]
In process S905, if there is a single wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used (YES), the wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used is set to “searchable mode”, and the like. The wireless communication module is set to “unsearchable mode” (S906), and this process ends.
[0129]
If it is determined in step S905 that the wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used is not single (NO), the wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used is the last one. It is determined whether or not the wireless communication module for which connection processing has been performed is included (S907).
[0130]
If the wireless communication module that has been connected last is included (YES), the wireless communication module is set to the wireless communication module with the smallest reserved bandwidth (S908), and the process S906 is performed. By doing so, the process of switching the wireless communication module in the “searchable mode” to another module can be omitted.
[0131]
If it is determined in step S907 that the wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths for use does not include the wireless communication module that has performed the last connection processing (NO), it is set in the ROM 22 in advance. Check the priority of the wireless communication module, set the wireless communication module with the highest priority among the wireless communication modules with the minimum number of reserved bandwidths to “searchable mode”, and set the other wireless communication modules. Is set to “unsearchable mode” (S909), and processing S906 is performed.
[0132]
If it is determined in step S903 that none of the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 has a free transmission bandwidth (NO), the wireless communication terminal can be connected to the host device 10 any more. Since this is not possible, all the wireless communication modules of the host device 10 are set to the “search disabled mode” (S910).
[0133]
Furthermore, if it is determined in step S901 that the wireless communication module that has received the connection request cannot newly connect the wireless communication terminal, the process proceeds to the process illustrated in FIG. 7 as in the first embodiment.
[0134]
Since the processing shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0135]
As described above, when the host device 10 according to the second embodiment is used, the wireless communication module of the host device 10 that responds to the search from the terminal is always the wireless communication module having the minimum reserved bandwidth number. Yes, since only one wireless communication module responds to the inquiry, the wireless communication terminal requests connection to the wireless communication module of the host device 10 discovered as a result of the search and performs wireless communication connection as in the conventional procedure. It's okay.
[0136]
The wireless communication module that can be found by the terminal is always the wireless communication module having the smallest number of reserved bandwidths used, that is, the wireless communication module having the highest transmission efficiency. The communication use band is averaged, and the problem that the transmission efficiency with the conventional host device 10 is biased by the wireless communication module of the connection destination is solved.
[0137]
Further, when the wireless communication terminal starts connection to the wireless communication module of the host device 10 discovered as a result of the search, the wireless communication in which another wireless communication terminal has already performed connection processing and the number of reserved bandwidths used is the minimum. Although the module may be changed to another wireless communication module, the connection request from the wireless communication terminal is temporarily rejected by the processes shown in FIGS. 9 and 7, and the number of reserved bandwidths used is minimized. Since the wireless communication module operates to connect to the wireless communication terminal that has refused the connection request, the user of the wireless communication terminal performs an operation of searching for a wireless communication module that can be reconnected to the host device 10. There is an effect that it is not necessary to carry out.
[0138]
Furthermore, since connection control to the wireless communication module is controlled by the data transmission bandwidth required by the application used by the wireless communication terminal and the maximum data transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication module, data at the time of executing the application actually used is executed. Transmission can be performed efficiently.
[0139]
[Third embodiment]
The first embodiment and the second embodiment are embodiments in which the number of connected terminals or the reserved transmission bandwidth is averaged when the wireless communication terminal is wirelessly connected to the host device 10, and the third embodiment is In this embodiment, after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, the connection between the wireless communication terminal and the host device 10 that maintain the connection is averaged.
[0140]
The system configuration, the host device 10, and the configuration of the wireless communication terminal are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
[0141]
When the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, the timer is started by the control means 21 of the host device 10 shown in FIG. The timer is a software timer based on a program loop counter. On the other hand, in parallel with the timer counting process, the process of FIG. 4 shown in the first embodiment is executed, and the wireless communication module with the minimum number of connected wireless communication terminals is set to the “searchable mode”. The
[0142]
The host device 10 may be provided with a hardware timer in addition to the configuration of FIG.
[0143]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the host device 10 in the third embodiment.
[0144]
After the timer is started, if no connection or disconnection processing with the wireless communication terminal is newly generated for a time previously stored in the ROM 22, for example, 3 minutes, the timer counts up and the processing shown in FIG. 10 is started.
[0145]
If a new connection or disconnection process with the wireless communication terminal occurs before the timer counts up, the timer is cleared and starts counting again.
[0146]
First, the control means 21 inquires about the number of terminals connected to the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3, and stores the response returned by each wireless communication module in the RAM 23 (S1001).
[0147]
Next, it is determined whether there is a wireless terminal connected to the host device 10 (S1002). When there is at least one wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module (YES), the number of connection changes necessary to change the connection destination of the wireless communication terminal connected to the host device 10 is determined ( S1003). If there is no connected wireless communication terminal, this process ends.
[0148]
The number of connection changes is determined by, for example, determining the maximum number of connections of wireless communication terminals to which each wireless communication module of the host device 10 is connected as N_MaxAnd the minimum value is N_MinFrom these, the average N of the maximum and minimum values_Ave= (N_Max+ N_Min) / 2 and N_Ave-N_MinThe number of connection changes N_chCan be used.
[0149]
Since the number of connected terminals is averaged between the maximum and minimum wireless communication modules, the portion with the largest difference can be relaxed, and the number of terminal disconnection and reconnection processes is small. There is.
[0150]
Next, it is determined in step S1004 whether or not a wireless communication terminal needs to be connected. Number of connection changes N calculated in step S1003_chHowever, if “0”, connection change is unnecessary (NO), and if it is not “0”, it is determined that connection change is necessary (YES). If the connection change is unnecessary, this process is terminated.
[0151]
When connection change is required, the connection change number N from the wireless communication module with the maximum number of connections_chThe wireless communication terminal is disconnected (S1005).
[0152]
The selection of the wireless communication terminal to be disconnected can be assumed to be, for example, a process of disconnecting from the oldest connected order or a process of disconnecting from the newest connected order.
[0153]
Any processing may be used, but the host device 10 needs to store in the RAM 23 which wireless communication terminal is connected to when. The host device 10 may include an RTC (Real Time Clock), and the time when each wireless communication terminal is connected may be stored in the RAM 23.
[0154]
Alternatively, a method may be used in which a flag is provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 23 and the order in which the wireless communication terminals are connected can be relatively determined by the flag.
[0155]
Next, connection processing is performed from the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connections to the wireless communication terminal that has been disconnected in step S1005 (S1006). Connection processing is sequentially performed for each wireless communication terminal one by one. The connection processing order is the order cut in step S1005. When all the wireless communication terminals to be connected are connected, the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is set to “searchable mode”, and the other wireless communication modules are set to “discoverable mode”. "(S1007), and the process ends.
[0156]
Note that the processing in S1007 is a series of processing contents shown in FIGS. 4, S403, S404, and S407 described in the first embodiment.
[0157]
For example, in the host device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the number of connected terminals in each wireless communication module after the terminal disconnection process is the number N of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M1._A= 7, the number N of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M2_B= 2, the number N of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module M3_C= 3, the maximum value N_Max= 7 (= N_A), Minimum value N_Min= 2 (= N_B)become.
[0158]
In this case, average N_Ave= (7 + 2) /2=4.5, the number of connection changes N_ch= N_Ave-N_Min= 4.5-2 = 2 (N_chIs an integer part of 2.5). Therefore, the number of connection changes N_chWhen two units are disconnected from the wireless communication module M1 having the largest number of connected terminals and connected to the wireless communication module M2 having the smallest number of connected terminals, the number of connected terminals of each wireless communication module after the connection change processing is N_A= 5 (decrease from 7 to 5), N_B= 4 (increase from 2 to 4), N_C= 3 (no change), and the number of terminals connected to each wireless communication module is averaged.
[0159]
As described above, the number of connections of wireless communication terminals connected to each wireless communication module of the host device 10 is averaged after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10 by performing the processing according to the present embodiment. can do.
[0160]
[Fourth embodiment]
The third embodiment is an embodiment in which, after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, the number of connected terminals with the host device 10 of the wireless communication terminal that maintains the connection is averaged. The embodiment is an embodiment in which the use reserved bandwidths of the connected wireless communication terminals are averaged.
[0161]
The system configuration, the host device 10, and the configuration of the wireless communication terminal are as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
[0162]
When the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, the timer is started by the control means 21 of the host device 10 shown in FIG. The timer is a software timer based on a program loop counter.
[0163]
On the other hand, in parallel with the timer counting process, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed in the first embodiment, and the wireless communication module with the minimum number of connections of the wireless communication terminals is set to the “searchable mode”. The host device 10 may be provided with a hardware timer in addition to the configuration of FIG.
[0164]
If no new connection or disconnection processing with the wireless communication terminal occurs for a time previously stored in the ROM 22, for example, 3 minutes after the timer is started, the timer counts up and the processing shown in FIG. 10 is started. Is done. If a new connection or disconnection process with the wireless communication terminal occurs before the timer counts up, the timer is cleared and starts counting again.
[0165]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing in the host device 10.
[0166]
First, the control means 21 inquires about the number of terminals connected to the wireless communication modules M1, M2, and M3, and stores the response returned from each wireless communication module in the RAM 23 (S1101). Next, it is determined whether there is a wireless terminal connected to the host device 10 (S1102). If there is at least one wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module (YES), a connection that requires a change of connection destination is determined from the terminals connected to the host device 10 (S1103). If there is no connected wireless communication terminal, this process ends.
[0167]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a connection change terminal determination process in the fourth embodiment.
[0168]
In step S1201, the wireless communication module that is reserved for use by the wireless communication terminal connected to the host device 10 is compared with the total value for each wireless communication module related to the reserved bandwidth, and the reserved bandwidth The wireless communication module having the largest reserved bandwidth and the wireless communication module having the smallest reserved bandwidth are determined, and an “average value” of the maximum value and the minimum value of the reserved bandwidth is calculated.
[0169]
Next, initialization processing for determining a connection change terminal is performed. The maximum reserved bandwidth value is set to the variable “total value”, the maximum reserved bandwidth value of the wireless communication terminal connected to the wireless communication module having the maximum reserved bandwidth is set, and the variable “terminal value” is set ( S1202).
[0170]
Next, “total value−terminal value” and “average value” are compared in process S1203. If the average value is equal to or greater than the average value (YES), the process proceeds to process S1204, and if all connected terminals are considered. (YES), it progresses to S1208.
[0171]
If a terminal that has not yet been examined remains (NO), the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, the variable “total value” is set to “total value−terminal value” used in the comparison process. Next, a use reserved bandwidth value of a terminal having a use reserved bandwidth value equal to or less than the use reserved bandwidth value used for the current terminal value is set in the variable “terminal value” (S1206), and the process returns to step S1203.
[0172]
In process S1203, if the average value is smaller (NO), the process proceeds to process S1207.
[0173]
In step S1207, it is determined whether there is another terminal having a use reserved bandwidth value smaller than the current “terminal value”. If there is a terminal (YES), the process proceeds to S1206. In this case, since step S1205 is skipped, the variable “total value” used for the next comparison can be prevented from being influenced by the “terminal value” of the terminal used for the current comparison. That is, it is determined that the terminal used this time is a terminal whose connection is not changed.
[0174]
If it is determined in step S1207 that there is no terminal (NO), the process advances to step S1208.
[0175]
Process S1208 is a process for selecting a terminal whose connection is to be changed. In step S1205, the terminal having the “terminal value” used to update the variable “total value” is selected as the terminal whose connection is to be changed.
[0176]
Therefore, for example, after the initialization process S1202 is performed, the comparison process of S1203 is first performed, the process does not branch to S1204, and the process S1208 is executed through the process S1207. Since it is not executed, it is determined that “there is no terminal whose connection is to be changed”. As another example, S1203 is processed four times, but when S1205 is executed only the first and third times, the number of terminals whose connection is changed is two.
[0177]
As a terminal whose connection is changed in S1208, a terminal having the terminal value used in the processing in S1205 is selected.
[0178]
Since the reserved bandwidth is averaged between the wireless communication module with the largest reserved bandwidth and the wireless communication module with the smallest reserved bandwidth, the portion with the largest difference can be mitigated, and There is an effect that the number of disconnection and reconnection processes is also small.
[0179]
After executing the processing S1208, this processing is terminated, the processing returns to the processing in FIG. 11, and proceeds to S1104.
[0180]
Next, in process S1104, it is determined whether or not a wireless communication terminal needs to be connected. If there is no connection change terminal selected in step S1103, it is determined that connection change is unnecessary (NO). If the connection change is unnecessary, this process is terminated.
[0181]
When the connection change is necessary, a process of disconnecting the connection of the wireless communication terminal whose connection is changed is performed from the wireless communication module having the maximum reserved bandwidth (S1105).
[0182]
Since the selection of the wireless communication terminal to be disconnected is the same as the selection in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0183]
Next, connection processing is performed from the wireless communication module having the smallest reserved bandwidth to the wireless communication terminal that has been disconnected in processing S1105 (S1106). Connection processing is sequentially performed for each wireless communication terminal one by one. The connection processing order may be performed in the order disconnected in step S1105. After all the wireless communication terminals to be connected are connected, the use reserved bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module is checked again, and the wireless communication module having the smallest use reserved bandwidth is selected as the “searchable mode”. ”And other wireless communication modules are set to the“ discoverable mode ”(S1107), and this process ends.
[0184]
Note that the processing of S1107 is the same as the series of processing contents of FIG. 8, S803, S804, and S807 in the second embodiment.
[0185]
As described above, after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10 by executing the processing according to the fourth embodiment, the use reserved bandwidth of the connection terminal of each wireless communication module of the host device 10 is averaged. can do.
[0186]
In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the process for determining the connection change terminal is not limited to the process shown in the present embodiment, and other connections or transmission bandwidths are averaged. May be used.
[0187]
Moreover, in the said Example, although the control part and the radio | wireless communication module are integrated in the host apparatus 10, it does not necessarily need to be an integrated apparatus. Each wireless communication module may be a wireless communication module device having one housing, and the wireless communication module device may be connected to an external device connection port of the host device 10 for use.
[0188]
Furthermore, the connection interface between the wireless communication module device and the host device 10 may be configured by a LAN such as 10BASE-T. In this case, since the connection distance between the wireless communication module device and the host device 10 can be made sufficiently longer than the size of the conference room, the wireless communication module is installed in the conference room, and the host device 10 is Flexible installation is possible, such as installation outside the conference room.
[0189]
That is, according to the first embodiment, the number of wireless communication terminals connected to a plurality of host connection points can be averaged by the control on the host device 10 side, so that the transmission band that can be used by each wireless communication terminal is averaged. It is also possible to use an existing wireless communication terminal that does not have a scatternet function, and the wireless communication terminal can use the same connection procedure as the discovery, selection, and connection of peripheral devices, It is highly versatile and does not increase the processing load on the wireless communication terminal.
[0190]
Also, according to the second embodiment, the reserved transmission bandwidth of each wireless communication module can be averaged by notifying the host terminal of the transmission bandwidth used by the wireless communication terminal.
[0191]
Further, according to the third embodiment, after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, the number of terminals connected to each wireless communication module of the host device 10 can be averaged.
[0192]
Further, according to the fourth embodiment, after the wireless communication terminal is disconnected from the host device 10, it is possible to average the use reserved bandwidth of the connection terminal of each wireless communication module of the host device 10.
[0193]
Further, when the host connection point to be connected from the wireless communication terminal cannot be connected, the host device 10 side performs a connection operation from another host connection point to the wireless communication terminal. No additional operation is required.
[0194]
The above examples can be grasped as the following embodiment.
[0195]
[Embodiment 1] A plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals, changing an operation mode, and storing their own unique address information;
A host device for controlling the wireless communication module;
First storage means for storing control data and communication data of the wireless communication module;
Second storage means for storing a program and an initial set value;
When the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal is detected, the operation mode is a searchable mode for outputting a response signal for transmitting the own unique address information to the search signal transmission source wireless communication terminal. And even in the case where a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal is detected, the output of the response signal is stopped, and the search processing mode for prohibiting the connection processing operation for the connection request signal from the wireless communication terminal The host device is a device that sets the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals to the searchable mode and sets the other wireless communication modules to the unsearchable mode. A wireless communication apparatus.
[0196]
[Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1,
The second storage means is means for storing the priority of use of the plurality of wireless communication modules,
When there are a plurality of wireless communication modules with the minimum number of the wireless communication terminals being connected, the host device is among the wireless communication modules with the minimum number of the wireless communication terminals being connected. The wireless communication module having the highest use priority stored in the second storage means is a device that selects the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals as a device. Wireless communication device.
[0197]
[Embodiment 3] In Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2,
The wireless communication module that has received the communication connection request output by the wireless communication terminal is
When in the searchable mode, perform wireless communication connection processing,
When in the search disabled mode, after acquiring the terminal unique address information of the wireless communication terminal of the communication connection request transmission source, send a communication connection rejection response,
A wireless communication device, which is a module for transmitting a communication connection request from a wireless communication module set in the searchable mode to a wireless communication terminal having the terminal unique address information and performing communication connection.
[0198]
[Embodiment 4] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 3,
After connecting the wireless communication terminals, the wireless communication module with the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is set to the searchable mode, and the other wireless communication modules are set to the unsearchable mode. A wireless communication device.
[0199]
[Embodiment 5] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 4,
After the connection processing of the wireless communication terminals, when the number of connected wireless communication terminals is equal to the maximum number of wireless communication terminals connectable to the wireless communication device, all the wireless communication modules cannot be searched. A wireless communication apparatus characterized in that the mode is set.
[0200]
[Embodiment 6] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 5,
After the connection processing of the wireless communication terminal, there are a plurality of the wireless communication modules with the minimum number of wireless communication terminals being connected, and the wireless communication module that has performed the connection processing is currently connected If the wireless communication module is included in the wireless communication module having the smallest number of wireless communication terminals, the wireless communication module that has been connected last is connected to the wireless device having the smallest number of wireless communication terminals that are currently connected. A wireless communication device selected as a communication module.
[0201]
[Embodiment 7] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 6,
After disconnecting the wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication module having the smallest number of connected wireless communication terminals is set to the searchable mode, and the other wireless communication modules are set to the unsearchable mode. A wireless communication apparatus, characterized by being set.
[0202]
[Eighth Embodiment] A plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals, changing an operation mode, and storing their own unique address information;
A host device for controlling the wireless communication module;
First storage means for storing control data and communication data of the wireless communication module;
Second storage means for storing a program and an initial set value;
When the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal is detected, the operation mode is a searchable mode for outputting a response signal for transmitting the own unique address information to the search signal transmission source wireless communication terminal. And even in the case where a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal is detected, the output of the response signal is stopped, and the search processing mode for prohibiting the connection processing operation for the connection request signal from the wireless communication terminal And the host device stores and manages the use reserved transmission bandwidth reserved for use by the wireless communication terminal connected to each wireless communication module in the first storage means, and is connected. The wireless communication module having the minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal is set to the searchable mode, and the other wireless communication modules are set to the search disabled mode. Wireless communication device, characterized in that the device for setting the mode.
[0203]
[Embodiment 9] In Embodiment 8,
The second storage means stores use priorities of a plurality of the wireless communication modules, and the host device has a wireless communication module having a minimum total use reserved transmission bandwidth in the connected wireless communication terminal. If there are a plurality of wireless communication modules having the smallest total reserved transmission bandwidth in the connected wireless communication terminal, the highest use priority stored in the second storage means A wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication module is a device that selects the high wireless communication module as a wireless communication module having a minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth of the connected wireless communication terminals.
[0204]
[Embodiment 10] In Embodiment 8 or Embodiment 9,
When the wireless communication device detects a communication connection request output by the wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication device acquires use reserved transmission bandwidth information requested by the wireless communication terminal that has output the communication connection request, and detects the communication connection request. If the wireless communication module accommodates the reserved transmission bandwidth requested by the wireless communication terminal and can be connected, the connection processing is performed. If the connection is not possible, the terminal unique address of the wireless communication terminal of the communication connection request transmission source After acquiring information and transmitting a communication connection rejection response, if the wireless communication module set in the searchable mode accommodates the use reserved transmission bandwidth requested by the wireless communication terminal and can be connected, A wireless communication apparatus, wherein a communication connection request is transmitted to a wireless communication terminal having the terminal unique address information to perform communication connection.
[0205]
[Embodiment 11] In Embodiment 10,
The wireless communication device is a free space that is a difference between the maximum transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication module and the total reserved transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal connected to the wireless communication module that has detected the communication connection request. The transmission bandwidth is compared with the reserved transmission bandwidth requested by the wireless communication terminal that has output the communication connection request, and the wireless communication module that has received the communication connection request is in a searchable mode, and free transmission When the bandwidth is large, the wireless communication module performs the wireless communication connection process, and the wireless communication module that has received the communication connection request is in a search impossible mode or when the free transmission bandwidth is small, the wireless communication module that has detected the communication connection request It is determined that a connection cannot be established, the device-specific address information of the wireless communication terminal that is the transmission source of the communication connection request is acquired, and a communication connection rejection response is sent. When the wireless communication module that has received the communication connection request is in the search impossible mode, the maximum transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication module that is set in the searchable mode and the wireless that has detected the communication connection request A free transmission bandwidth that is a difference from a total of reserved use transmission bandwidths of the wireless communication terminal connected to the communication module, and a reserved use transmission bandwidth requested by the wireless communication terminal that has output the communication connection request. In comparison, when the available transmission bandwidth is large, a wireless communication apparatus is characterized in that a communication connection request is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal having the terminal unique address information to perform communication connection.
[0206]
[Embodiment 12] In any one of Embodiments 8 to 11,
After the connection processing of the wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication module having the minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal being connected is set to the searchable mode, and the other wireless communication modules are The wireless communication device is set to the search impossible mode.
[0207]
[Embodiment 13] In any one of Embodiments 8 to 12,
After the connection processing of the wireless communication terminal, when the total reserved transmission bandwidth in the connected wireless communication terminal is equal to the maximum transmission bandwidth that can be used for the wireless communication device, all the wireless communication modules Is set to the search disabled mode.
[0208]
[Embodiment 14] In any one of Embodiments 8 to 13,
After the connection processing of the wireless communication terminal, when there are a plurality of the wireless communication modules having the minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth in the connected wireless communication terminal, the wireless that has been connected last If the communication module is included in the wireless communication module having the minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal being connected, the wireless communication module that has been connected last is connected. A wireless communication device selected as a wireless communication module having a minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth in the wireless communication terminal.
[0209]
[Embodiment 15] In any one of Embodiments 8 to 14,
After disconnecting the wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication module having the minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth in the connected wireless communication terminal is set to the searchable mode, and the other wireless communication modules are The wireless communication device is set to the search impossible mode.
[0210]
[Embodiment 16] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 7,
After disconnecting the wireless communication terminal, the number of the wireless communication terminals connected to each wireless communication module is detected, and the minimum connection is determined from the integer part of the average value of the maximum connection number and the minimum connection number. The value obtained by subtracting the number is used as the number of connection changes, and the terminal of the connection change number is disconnected from the wireless communication module having the maximum number of connection terminals, and the number of connection terminals is the minimum before the disconnection process is executed. A wireless communication apparatus, wherein a connection request signal is transmitted from a wireless communication module to the wireless communication terminal that has performed the disconnection process, and a connection terminal number averaging connection process for performing the connection process is performed.
[0211]
[Embodiment 17] In Embodiment 16,
A counter that counts time, and after the disconnection process of the wireless communication terminal, the counter is activated, and if no new connection or disconnection process occurs before the preset count value is reached, the average number of connected terminals A wireless communication apparatus, which performs an automatic connection process and restarts the counter when a new connection or disconnection process occurs before reaching a preset count value.
[0212]
[Embodiment 18] In any one of Embodiments 8 to 15,
After disconnecting the wireless communication terminal, the sum of the reserved use transmission bandwidths of the wireless communication terminals connected to the respective wireless communication modules is calculated, and the maximum reserved use bandwidth and the minimum reserved use transmission bandwidth are calculated. So that the terminal is disconnected from the wireless communication module having the maximum use reserved transmission bandwidth so that the wireless communication module having the minimum use reserved transmission bandwidth is A wireless communication apparatus, wherein a connection request signal is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal that has performed the disconnection process, and a reserved transmission bandwidth averaging connection process that performs the connection process is performed.
[0213]
[Embodiment 19] In Embodiment 18,
A counter that counts time, and after the disconnection process of the wireless communication terminal, the counter is activated, and if no new connection or disconnection process occurs before the preset count value is reached, the reserved transmission bandwidth A wireless communication apparatus that performs averaging connection processing and restarts the counter when new connection or disconnection processing occurs before reaching a preset count value.
[0214]
[Embodiment 20] In any one of Embodiments 1 to 19,
A wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication module is means for using a Bluetooth standard as a wireless communication system.
[0215]
  According to the above description, the number of wireless communication terminals connected to a plurality of host connection points can be averaged by the control on the host device side, so that the transmission band that can be used by each wireless communication terminal is averaged. It is also possible to use existing wireless communication terminals that do not have a scatternet compatible function, and wireless communication terminals can use the same connection procedure as in the past for discovery, selection, and connection of peripheral devices. And the processing load of the wireless communication terminal is not increased.
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, since the number of wireless communication terminals connected to each wireless communication module can be averaged, the transmission band that can be used by each wireless communication terminal can be averaged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless communication apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a host device 10 used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a radio communication terminal T1 used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing operations of the host device 10;
5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen as a result of an inquiry operation from a new wireless communication terminal (not shown) in the wireless connection state shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the host device 10 when the wireless communication terminal makes a connection request to the host device 10;
FIG. 7 shows a connection rejection response sent to a wireless communication terminal in the first embodiment, and when there is a wireless communication module to which the host device 10 can be connected, from the wireless communication module to the wireless communication terminal; 5 is a flowchart showing an operation for sending a connection request to a communication connection.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the host device 10 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when a connection request is issued from the wireless communication terminal to the host device in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the host device 10 in the third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing in the host device 10 in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a connection change terminal determination process in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional wireless communication apparatus 200.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen as a result of an inquiry operation from the wireless communication terminal T1 in the conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: a wireless communication device,
10: Host device,
M1, M2, M3 ... wireless communication module,
T1 to T8 ... wireless communication terminals,
P1, P2, P3 ... piconet.

Claims (15)

In a wireless communication apparatus having a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
The host device is
Determining means for determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and a wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination means, each wireless communication module responds to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. Setting means for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
Identification means for identifying use priorities of the plurality of wireless communication modules ;
And the setting means sets the wireless communication modules to the first mode or the second mode according to the determination by the determination means and the identification by the identification means. Wireless communication device. In a wireless communication apparatus having a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
The host device is
Determining means for determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and a wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination means, each wireless communication module responds to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. Setting means for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
Refusal means for rejecting connection in response to a connection request from the wireless communication terminal to the first wireless communication module according to the determination by the determination means;
Connection means for causing the wireless communication terminal rejected by the rejection means to connect from the second wireless communication module;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: In a wireless communication apparatus having a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
The host device is
Determining means for determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and a wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination means, each wireless communication module responds to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. Setting means for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
And the setting means specifies the wireless communication module to be set to the first mode according to the determination by the determination means and the connection history of each wireless communication module with the wireless communication terminal. A wireless communication device. In any one of Claims 1-3 ,
The second mode is a mode that does not respond to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal and prohibits connection processing for a connection request signal from the wireless communication terminal. Communication device. In any one of Claims 1-4 .
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the response in the first mode includes an address of the wireless communication module. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the determining means determines the number of wireless communication terminals connected to the wireless communication module. In claim 6 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the setting means sets a wireless communication module having a minimum number of wireless communication terminals connected to the first mode. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the determining means determines a reserved transmission band by a wireless communication terminal connected to the wireless communication module. In claim 8 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the setting means sets a wireless communication module having a minimum total reserved transmission bandwidth of the wireless communication terminal to the first mode. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The wireless communication apparatus characterized in that the determining means determines an available transmission band of the wireless communication module. In claim 10 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the setting means sets a wireless communication module having a maximum available transmission band of the wireless communication terminal to the first mode. In any one of Claims 1-11 ,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the determining means determines disconnection of the wireless communication terminal from the wireless communication module. In a wireless communication method in a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
A determination step of determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and the wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination step, each wireless communication module is set to the first mode in which the wireless communication module responds to the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. A setting step for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
An identification step for identifying use priorities of the plurality of wireless communication modules;
And the setting step sets each wireless communication module to the first mode or the second mode according to the determination by the determination step and the identification by the identification step. Wireless communication method . In a wireless communication method in a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
A determination step of determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and the wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination step, each wireless communication module is set to the first mode in which the wireless communication module responds to the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. A setting step for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
A rejection step of rejecting connection in response to a connection request from the wireless communication terminal to the first wireless communication module according to the determination in the determination step;
A connection step of causing the wireless communication terminal that has refused connection in the rejection step to connect from the second wireless communication module;
A wireless communication method comprising: In a wireless communication method in a host device that controls a plurality of wireless communication modules capable of wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless communication terminals,
A determination step of determining a connection state between the plurality of wireless communication modules and the wireless communication terminal;
In response to the determination by the determination step, each wireless communication module is set to the first mode in which the wireless communication module responds to the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal, or the search signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal. A setting step for setting to the second mode in which no response is made;
And the setting step specifies the wireless communication module to be set to the first mode according to the determination by the determination step and the connection history of each wireless communication module with the wireless communication terminal. A wireless communication method characterized by the above .

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