JP4351015B2 - Wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption in comparison with a present state in which a radio LAN I/F is always active and to appropriately perform calling control and session management based on the information of e-mail, etc., and a call back from a mobile terminal or the like by starting the radio LAN I/F only when called by e-mail, etc., from a transmitting terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The information terminal 1 comprises a radio LAN function 1c, an instruction receiving function 1a for receiving an instruction emitted by e-mail from an external terminal 2 connected to an information communication network or e-mail by an SIP function, and a radio LAN starting function 1b for starting the radio LAN function 1c according to an instruction described in a body of the e-mail. Particularly, the instruction described in the body includes time information and determines the start timing of the radio LAN function 1c on the basis of the time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal and a communication method using the same, and relates to a call control and session management in a mobility control network that realizes mobility, and an information terminal characterized by callback and the like, and a communication method using the same About.

  Conventionally, when communication is performed between a transmission terminal and a mobile terminal, it is common to perform from a call by the transmission terminal to establishment of a communication session based on a single communication method. For example, in the case of a cellular method All processing is performed based on the cellular method.

  Here, for example, a case where an IP phone is placed using a wireless LAN as an access method will be described as an example. In the related art, when a transmitting terminal makes a call using an IP phone, a communication environment in which the mobile terminal can use the wireless LAN. Communication is possible only when the wireless LAN I / F is on the bottom. In other words, when the mobile terminal is in a communication environment where the wireless LAN cannot be used, or when the wireless LAN I / F is in a dormant state, the user of the mobile terminal even recognizes that it has been called. Can not do it. In such a case, the mobile terminal activates its own wireless LAN I / F in a communication environment where the wireless LAN can be used, recognizes that a call has been received from the transmitting terminal by an answering machine, etc. By calling the transmitting terminal, communication between the transmitting terminal and the mobile terminal is actually performed for the first time.

Here, for example, in Non-Patent Document 1, in wireless LAN, when data is not transmitted / received for a certain period of time, wireless LAN I / F is stopped for power saving of the terminal. In view of the problem that communication via the network cannot be performed, a technique related to a cellular / wireless LAN cooperative paging method that realizes a paging function in a wireless LAN by using a high-speed paging function of an existing cellular system is disclosed. That is, in this technique, when a mobile terminal whose wireless LAN I / F is in a stopped state receives paging from the cellular network, it can communicate by establishing a session with the IP terminal via the wireless LAN I / F. It is characterized by becoming.
Proceedings of the 2003 IEICE General Conference B-5-288 "Implementation and Evaluation of Cellular / Wireless LAN Linkage Paging Method" Iwama et al.

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, when trying to receive a call from a transmission terminal as much as possible, it is necessary to always activate a wireless LAN card in a communication environment in which a wireless LAN can be used. This is a factor that limits the power consumption and greatly increases the power consumption. Further, there is a possibility that it takes a long time until the mobile terminal recognizes the call, and it is not suitable as a communication means when it is desired to make an emergency contact. Furthermore, in the technology disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, no suggestion or disclosure is given for call control and session management based on electronic mail information, and further callback.

  The object of the present invention is to activate the wireless LAN I / F only when it is called by e-mail or the like from the transmission terminal, thereby suppressing power consumption compared to the current situation where the wireless LAN I / F is always activated. In addition, call control and session management based on information such as electronic mail, callback from a mobile terminal, and the like can be appropriately performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a correspondent node for making a call, a server connected to the correspondent node, and a mobile terminal connected to the server via a first wireless communication line. In the wireless communication system provided, the server includes a location database that stores a telephone number and a mail address of a mobile terminal in association with each other, and embeds the content of the call in an e-mail, and includes the phone number included in the call Is obtained from the location database, and an electronic mail in which the content of the call is embedded in the obtained mail address is transmitted to the mobile terminal via the first wireless communication line. The mobile terminal includes a radio control unit for performing communication via a second radio communication line, and the server. The first e-mail transmitted from the first e-mail communication line is received via the first radio communication line and the radio control unit is activated according to the content of the received e-mail, and the activated radio control unit A wireless communication system comprising means for making a call to the correspondent node via the server via two wireless communication lines or directly making a call to the correspondent node.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a correspondent node for making a call, a server connected to the correspondent node, and a mobile terminal connected to the server via a first wireless communication line. In the server in the wireless communication system provided, the server includes a location database that stores a telephone number and a mail address of a mobile terminal in association with each other, and embeds the content of the call in an e-mail and is included in the call A mail address of the mobile terminal corresponding to the telephone number is obtained from the location database, and an e-mail in which the content of the call is embedded in the obtained mail address is sent to the mobile terminal via the first wireless communication line. Means for transmitting, and calling from the mobile terminal via the second wireless communication line to the correspondent node A server, comprising a means for signal.

  According to the present invention, the wireless LAN I / F is activated only when called by an e-mail or the like from the transmission terminal, thereby making it possible to reduce power consumption compared to the current situation where the wireless LAN I / F is always activated. Furthermore, it is possible to provide an information terminal and a communication method using the information terminal that can appropriately perform call control and session management based on information such as electronic mail, callback from a mobile terminal, and the like.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows and describes the configuration of an information terminal and its peripheral devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an external terminal 2 is communicatively connected to an information terminal 1 via a cellular / PHS communication network, and the information terminal 1 is further connected to an external terminal via a wireless LAN communication network. 2 and the communication partner terminal 3 are communicably connected. The communication partner terminal 3 means a terminal other than the external terminal 2 that has sent a start request for the wireless LAN function 1c.

  Further, the information terminal 1 has a wireless LAN function 1c, a command receiving function 1a for receiving a command issued by an e-mail from the external terminal 2 connected via the cellular / PHS communication network or an e-mail by the SIP function, A wireless LAN activation function 1b for activating the wireless LAN function 1c in accordance with a command described in the body part of the e-mail.

  Here, an example of the structure of an electronic mail transmitted from the external terminal 2 to the information terminal 1 is as shown in FIG. That is, an e-mail packet includes a header part and a body part, and an instruction described in the body part includes at least time information and information on a connection request destination.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the information terminal 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the information terminal 1 receives an e-mail transmitted from the external terminal 2 via the cellular / PHS communication network by using the command receiving function 1a, the wireless LAN activation function 1b receives a command (time information, (Connection destination information) is analyzed (step S2).

  Then, the wireless LAN activation function 1b determines the activation timing of the wireless LAN function 1c based on the time information (step S3), and the wireless LAN function 1c determines the connection destination (external terminal 2, The communication partner terminal 3) is specified, a session is established for the specified connection destination using the SIP function, and data communication is performed (step S4).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the wireless LAN I / F is always activated by activating the wireless LAN I / F only when called from the external terminal 2 by e-mail or the like. It is possible to reduce power consumption compared to the current state of starting.

  Furthermore, communication based on body part information (time information, connection destination information) such as e-mail, for example, communication between three parties is enabled.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows and describes the configuration of an information terminal and its peripheral devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a correspondent node (CN) 11 is communicatively connected to a SIP server 12, and the SIP server 12 is connected to a base station (BS; Base) via a cellular / PHS communication network. Station) 15 is communicably connected. Further, the BS 15 is connected to a mobile node (MN) 13 so as to be communicable, and the MN 13 is connected to an access point (AP) 14 so as to be communicable. The MN 13 is further communicably connected to the CN 11 via the SIP server 12 via the AP 14 and the wireless LAN communication network, and is communicably connected to the MN 16.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of each of the above parts.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the SIP server 12 includes a call control unit 21 and a location DB 22. The call control unit 21 includes a call unit 21a, a switching detection unit 21b, and an error message writing unit 21c. The location DB 22 manages the SIP URI, mobile phone (PHS) number, and e-mail address of the MN 13. The location DB 22 may be held by a server different from the SIP server 12.

  On the other hand, the MN 13 includes a cellular / PHS control unit 31, a wireless LAN control unit 32, a TCP / IP control unit 33, and a SIPUA (User Agent) 34. Further, the cellular / PHS control unit 31 includes a call control unit 31a, the wireless LAN control unit 32 includes an I / F activation control unit 32a, and the SIPUA 34 includes a call reception unit 34a, a wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b, have. The wireless LAN I / F is conceptually included in the wireless LAN control unit 32.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a series of communication flows by the information terminal and its peripheral devices according to the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless LAN I / F is activated. As a result of the confirmation, if the wireless LAN I / F is not activated, communication is performed along the following flow.

  When a call message (hereinafter referred to as an INVITE message) is transmitted from the CN 11 to the MN 13 (SIPURI) (# 1), in the SIP server 12, the call unit 21a of the call control unit 21 accepts the INVITE message, and the cellular / The location DB 22 is inquired whether or not communication via the PHS communication network is possible. As a result, when it is determined that communication via the cellular / PHS communication network is possible, the calling unit 21a transmits a call signal including the content of the INVITE message from the CN 11 to the MN 13 as a SIP message. To make a call to the MN 13 (# 2).

  When the MN 13 cannot be called, the SIP server 12 transmits a predetermined error message to the CN 11 (# 11).

  In the MN 13, the call control unit 31 a of the cellular / PHS control unit 31 detects (calls) the call through the cellular / PHS communication network (# 3), and notifies that via the TCP / IP control unit 33. The SIP PUA 34 is notified, and the information is handed over to the call receiving unit 34a. When receiving this information, the call reception unit 34a outputs a predetermined control signal to the wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b. Upon receiving this control signal, the wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b notifies the I / F activation control unit 32a of the wireless LAN control unit 32 of the activation instruction for the wireless LAN I / F, and actually activates it ( # 4). When the AP detection unit 32b searches for the wireless LAN AP 14 (# 5) and receives a response (IP assignment) from the wireless LAN AP 14 (# 6), the AP detection unit 32b informs the SIP PUA 34 via the TCP / IP control unit 33. Notice. Thereby, the SIPUA 34 that has determined that communication via the wireless LAN communication network is possible transmits information to that effect to the cellular / PHS control unit 31 via the TCP / IP control unit 33. When the cellular / PHS control unit 31 receives this information, the call control unit 31a makes a disconnection request for communication via the cellular / PHS communication network (# 7).

  When receiving this disconnection request, in the SIP server 12, the disconnection detection unit 21b of the call control unit 21 disconnects the call via the cellular / PHS communication network. Then, the error message writing unit 21c generates an error message in which the call from the SIP server 12 is disconnected because the MN 13 can communicate via the wireless LAN communication network, and transmits the error message to the CN 11. (# 8). When the MN 13 cannot communicate via the wireless LAN communication network, the SIP server 12 receives an INVITE message from the MN 13 via the BS 15 and the cellular / PHS communication network and starts communication.

  In the MN 13, when communication via the wireless LAN communication network is possible, the wireless LAN control unit 32 transmits an INVITE message to the SIP server 12 or another MN 16 via the AP 14 or wireless LAN communication network (# 9). When the SIP server 12 receives the INVITE message from the MN 13, the call control unit 21 transmits the INVITE message to the CN 11 (# 10). Thus, a series of operations is completed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the wireless LAN I / F is activated only when it is called from the CN 11, so that the wireless LAN I / F is always activated. It becomes possible to suppress power consumption.

  Further, when it is determined that communication via the wireless LAN I / F communication network is possible, the so-called callback is made such that the call from the SIP server 12 is disconnected and an INVITE message is newly transmitted from the MN 13 to the CN 11. By adopting this method, broadband and high-speed communication via a wireless LAN communication network is also possible. Further, when the communication preparation of the MN 13 on the receiving side is ready, communication toward the CN 11 or the like can be performed from the MN 13 to the MN 13.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows and describes the configuration of an information terminal and its peripheral devices according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the CN 11 is communicatively connected to the SIP server 12, and the SIP server 12 is communicatively connected to the MN 13 via the cellular / PHS communication network. It is connected to the AP 14 in a communicable manner. The MN 13 is further communicably connected to the CN 11 via the SIP server 12 via the AP 14 and the wireless LAN communication network, and is communicably connected to the MN 16.

  Note that the SIP server 12 is an optional component, and is configured so that the CN 11 and the MN 13 can be connected to each other without using the SIP server 12 when the e-mail by the SIP function is not used. Of course.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram further illustrating the configuration of each of the above parts.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the SIP server 12 includes a call control unit 21 and a location DB 22. Further, the call control unit 21 includes a mail call unit 21d, a switching detection unit 21b, and an error message writing unit 21c. The location DB 22 manages the SIP URI, mobile phone (PHS) number, and mail address of the MN 13. The location DB 22 may be held by a server different from the SIP server 12.

  On the other hand, the MN 13 includes a cellular / PHS control unit 31, a wireless LAN control unit 32, a TCP / IP control unit 33, a mailer 35, and a SIPUA 34. Furthermore, the cellular / PHS control unit 31 includes a call control unit 31a, the wireless LAN control unit 32 includes an I / F activation control unit 32a and an AP detection unit 32b, and the SIPUA 34 includes a call reception unit 34a and a wireless LAN I. / F control unit 34b. The wireless LAN I / F is conceptually included in the wireless LAN control unit 32.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a series of communication flows by the information terminal and its peripheral devices according to the third embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the wireless LAN I / F is activated. As a result of the confirmation, if the wireless LAN I / F is not activated, communication is performed along the following flow.

  When a call message (hereinafter referred to as INVITE message) is transmitted from CN 11 to MN 13 (SIPURI) (# 11), in SIP server 12, mail call unit 21a of call control unit 21 accepts the INVITE message, and the cellular Inquires of the location DB 22 whether or not communication via the / PHS communication network is possible. At this time, the e-mail address of the MN 13 is also detected. As a result, when it is determined that communication via the cellular / PHS communication network is possible, the mail calling unit 21a writes the content of the INVITE message from the CN 11 as a SIP message in the body of the email, A call is made by sending an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address to the MN 13 (# 12). In the third embodiment, a method of transmitting an e-mail directly from the CN 11 to the e-mail address of the MN 13 without using an e-mail transmission method by the SIP function may be adopted. In that case, the SIP server 12 becomes unnecessary. In this case, the SIPUA 34 is also unnecessary in configuration, and the wireless LAN I / F control unit 32b of the cellular / PHS control unit 31 plays the role of the wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b.

  On the other hand, if the mail call unit 21a of the call control unit 21 of the SIP server 12 makes an inquiry to the location DB 22 and determines that the e-mail cannot be transmitted to the MN 13 via the cellular / PHS communication network, the CN 11 In response, an error message to that effect is transmitted (# 13).

  In the MN 13, the call control unit 31a of the cellular / PHS control unit 31 receives the e-mail via the cellular / PHS communication network (# 14), and sends the e-mail to the mailer 35 via the TCP / IP control unit 33. Send to. At this time, the call control unit 31a of the cellular / PHS control unit 31 notifies the SIP server 12 of reception (# 15).

  The mailer 35 analyzes the content described in the body part of the email transmitted from the SIP server 12 by the internal information analysis unit 35a, and outputs a control signal to the call reception unit 34a based on the analysis result. That is, the mailer 35 analyzes the contents described in the body part of the e-mail in which the call signal transmitted from the SIP server 12 is described by the information analysis unit 35a, thereby transmitting the INVITE message from the MN 13. The destination and transmission timing are specified, and a predetermined control signal is output.

  The call reception unit 34a generates a further control signal based on the control signal from the mailer 35, and outputs the control signal to the wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b.

  Upon receiving this control signal, the wireless LAN I / F control unit 34b notifies the I / F activation control unit 32a of the wireless LAN control unit 32 of the activation instruction for the wireless LAN I / F, and actually activates it ( # 17). The AP detection unit 32b that also has a function as a wireless LAN I / F searches the wireless LAN AP 14 (# 18), and receives a response (IP assignment) from the wireless LAN AP 14 (# 19), the wireless LAN control unit 32 transmits the INVITE message to the SIP server 12 or another MN 16 via the AP 14 and the wireless LAN communication network (# 20).

  When the SIP server 12 receives the INVITE message from the MN 13, the call control unit 21 transmits the INVITE message to the CN 11 (# 21).

  The series of operations is thus completed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the wireless LAN I / F is activated only when it is called from the CN 11, so that the wireless LAN I / F is always activated. It is possible to reduce power consumption.

  Furthermore, communication based on body part information (time information, connection destination information) such as e-mail, for example, communication between three parties is enabled.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the first and third embodiments, the example in which the time information and the connection destination information are specified by e-mail has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various items can be specified.

The block diagram of the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device. The figure which shows the structural example of the packet of the email transmitted from the external terminal 2 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating in detail the operation | movement of an example by the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating in detail the communication between the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device. The block diagram of the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating in detail the communication between the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device. The block diagram of the information terminal 1 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information terminal, 1a ... Command reception function, 1b ... Wireless LAN starting function, 1c ... Wireless LAN function, 2 ... External terminal, 3 ... Communication partner terminal, 11 ... CN, 12 ... SIP server, 13 ... MN, 14 ... AP, 15 ... BS, 16 ... MN, 21 ... call control unit, 21a ... mail call unit, 21b: Switching detection unit, 21c: Error message writing unit, 22: Location DB, 31: Cellular / PHS control unit, 31a: Call control unit, 31b: Wireless LAN I / F control unit, 32 ... wireless LAN control unit, 32a ... I / F activation control unit, 32b ... AP detection unit, 33 ... TCP / IP control unit, 34 ... SIP UA, 34a ... Call reception unit, 34b ... No Line LAN I / F control unit, 35 ... mailer.

Claims (10)

  A correspondent node that initiates the call;
  A server connected to the correspondent node;
  In a wireless communication system comprising the server and a mobile terminal connected via a first wireless communication line,
  The server
  A location database that stores telephone numbers and mobile terminal email addresses in association with each other;
  The contents of the call are embedded in an e-mail, the mail address of the mobile terminal corresponding to the telephone number included in the call is obtained from the location database, and the contents of the call are embedded in the obtained mail address. Means for transmitting the received e-mail to the mobile terminal via a first wireless communication line,
  The mobile terminal
  A wireless control unit for performing communication via the second wireless communication line;
  Receiving means for receiving an electronic mail transmitted from the server via the first wireless communication line, and starting means for starting the wireless control unit according to the content of the received electronic mail;
  Means for making a call to the correspondent node via the server or making a call directly to the correspondent node by the activated radio control unit via the second radio communication line;
A wireless communication system comprising:   A correspondent node that initiates the call;
  A server connected to the correspondent node;
  In a server in a wireless communication system comprising the server and a mobile terminal connected via a first wireless communication line,
  The server
  A location database that stores telephone numbers and mobile terminal email addresses in association with each other;
  The contents of the call are embedded in an e-mail, the mail address of the mobile terminal corresponding to the telephone number included in the call is obtained from the location database, and the contents of the call are embedded in the obtained mail address. Means for transmitting the received e-mail to the mobile terminal via a first wireless communication line;
  Means for transmitting a call from the mobile terminal via a second wireless communication line to the correspondent node;
A server comprising:   A correspondent node that initiates the call;
  A server comprising a location database connected to the correspondent node and storing a telephone number and a mobile terminal mail address in association with each other;
  In a radio communication method in a radio communication system comprising a mobile terminal connected to the server via a first radio communication line and having a radio control unit for performing communication via a second radio communication line,
  The server embeds the content of the call in an e-mail, obtains the e-mail address of the mobile terminal corresponding to the telephone number included in the call from the location database, and sends the call e-mail to the obtained e-mail address. Sending an email with embedded content to the mobile terminal via a first wireless communication line;
  The mobile terminal receives an electronic mail transmitted from the server via the first wireless communication line, activates the wireless control unit according to the content of the received electronic mail, and activates the activated wireless control unit To make a call to the correspondent node via the server via the second wireless communication line, or to make a call directly to the correspondent node.   A correspondent node that initiates the call;
  A server comprising a location database connected to the correspondent node and storing a telephone number and a mobile terminal mail address in association with each other;
  In a wireless communication method for a server in a wireless communication system comprising the mobile terminal connected to the server via a first wireless communication line,
  The contents of the call are embedded in an e-mail, the mail address of the mobile terminal corresponding to the telephone number included in the call is obtained from the location database, and the contents of the call are embedded in the obtained mail address. Sending the e-mail to the mobile terminal via a first wireless communication line,
  A method comprising transmitting a call from the mobile terminal via a second wireless communication line to the correspondent node.   2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication line is a cellular / PHS line, and the second wireless communication line is a wireless LAN.   3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the first wireless communication line is a cellular / PHS line, and the second wireless communication line is a wireless LAN. The e-mail is embedded with time information indicating the time for starting the radio control unit of the mobile terminal,
  The radio communication system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal activates the radio control unit based on the time information. The e-mail is embedded with time information indicating the time for starting the radio control unit of the mobile terminal,
  The server according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal activates the radio control unit based on the time information. In the e-mail, connection request destination information indicating a connection request destination from the mobile terminal is embedded,
  The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal makes a call including the connection request destination information. In the e-mail, connection request destination information indicating a connection request destination from the mobile terminal is embedded,
  The server according to claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal makes a call including the connection request destination information.

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