JP4688854B2 - Wireless communication terminal and communication method switching method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal that can communicate with a plurality of communication systems, and more particularly to a wireless communication terminal that shares an RF circuit with a plurality of communication systems and a communication system switching method.

  A wireless communication terminal that can operate simultaneously in a plurality of wireless modes and can communicate with a base station by switching between two or more communication systems has been proposed as follows.

  One is an independent wireless communication terminal using different RF (Radio Frequency) circuits (radio units) for each radio mode, as shown in FIG. In this stand-alone wireless communication terminal, RF control may be a simple process, but since a plurality of RF circuits are required, the cost, power consumption, and terminal size of the wireless terminal hardware increase.

The other is a shared wireless communication terminal (defined as a hybrid system) that shares one RF circuit in a plurality of wireless modes, as shown in FIG. In this shared type wireless communication terminal, since a single RF circuit is sufficient, the wireless terminal hardware cost, power consumption, and terminal size are reduced. However, in order to share one RF circuit, complicated processing is required for RF control. Is required, and many restrictions on using the wireless mode occur.
JP-A-9-172675

  Next, problems that occur in the above-described hybrid wireless communication terminal will be described.

  15 and 16 are timing diagrams of the incoming call monitoring operation of the conventional hybrid wireless communication terminal.

  Each wireless protocol of the wireless communication terminal uses an RF circuit at regular intervals to intermittently receive a signal from the base station and monitor whether there is an incoming call or message to the own terminal. In the case of a shared type wireless communication terminal, each wireless protocol operates the protocol intermittently and receives a signal from the base station at a timing when the other protocol does not use the RF circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the intermittent reception timing of protocol 1 and the intermittent reception timing of protocol 2 are set to be shifted. Note that the period of intermittent reception for receiving an incoming call in each protocol is constant in each wireless system.

  However, as shown in FIG. 16, when system access such as incoming call, idle handoff, re-registration, short message reception, etc. occurs in protocol 1, the RF circuit is occupied by protocol 1, so intermittent reception of protocol 2 Will fail three times in a row. In other words, during system access in protocol 1, even if an incoming call in protocol 2 occurs, the wireless communication terminal cannot receive the incoming call, and the incoming call is ignored.

  Therefore, the protocol 2 control program cannot predict the start of the system access of protocol 1, and therefore, for protocol 2, the incoming call fails at an unexpected timing.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram at the time of an incoming call in the case of the conventional hybrid wireless communication terminal shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, protocol 1 and protocol 2 receive incoming calls from base stations intermittently at non-overlapping timings.

  When an incoming notification message is received from the base station of protocol 1 at the reception timing of protocol 1 after the reception timing of protocol 2, the wireless communication terminal transmits a communication channel allocation request in protocol 1. Then, when a communication channel assignment signal is transmitted from the base station of protocol 1, and the wireless communication terminal receives the communication channel assignment signal, it transmits a communication channel assignment completion signal.

  However, even if an incoming notification message is transmitted from the protocol 2 base station at the protocol 2 incoming monitoring timing between the transmission of the communication channel allocation request and the transmission of the communication channel allocation signal, the RF circuit of the wireless communication terminal Since it is occupied by the protocol 1, the wireless communication terminal cannot receive the incoming notification message from the base station of the protocol 2. In addition, even if an incoming call notification message is transmitted from the protocol 2 base station at the incoming monitoring timing of protocol 2 after the transmission of the communication channel assignment completion signal, the RF circuit of the wireless communication terminal is still occupied by protocol 1. The wireless communication terminal cannot receive an incoming call notification message from the protocol 2 base station.

After that, the wireless communication terminal transmits a data communication service request to the protocol 1 base station, and is ready to start data communication by a data communication service start notification from the protocol 1 base station.
Therefore, in the conventional wireless communication terminal, the protocol 1 continues the incoming operation even at the incoming monitoring timing of the protocol 2, and occupies the RF circuit. Therefore, protocol 2 cannot receive the incoming call notification message transmitted from the base station, and the incoming call of protocol 2 fails.

  Next, an example in which other problems occur will be described. Even if a hybrid wireless communication terminal is communicating with one protocol (during a voice call or data communication), the wireless part is periodically switched in another protocol, intermittent reception is performed, and an incoming message or message is received. The presence or absence can be monitored.

  FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are timing charts of operations when one protocol is communicating in a conventional hybrid wireless communication terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 18, protocol 1 that is in communication is intermittently stopped, and intermittent reception is performed in protocol 2 while communication in protocol 1 is stopped. That is, according to the incoming monitoring timing of protocol 2, communication in protocol 1 is intermittently stopped, and protocol 2 monitors incoming notification messages from the base station.

  However, as shown in FIG. 19, during communication in protocol 1, when communication is temporarily interrupted and a signal from a base station is intermittently received in protocol 2, an incoming call or idle handoff in protocol 2 When a system access such as re-registration or short message reception occurs, the RF circuit is occupied by the protocol 2 for a long time. Protocol 1 determines that a problem has occurred in the wireless communication terminal when the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication terminal has been interrupted for a long time and communication cannot be maintained, and controls the disconnection of the communication. Therefore, due to the occupation of the RF circuit by the protocol 2, the protocol 1 determines that the communication is interrupted and controls the disconnection of the communication.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram during communication in the case of the conventional hybrid wireless communication terminal shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the hybrid wireless communication terminal temporarily interrupts communication during protocol 1 communication and intermittently receives incoming calls from the base station in protocol 2.

  At the reception timing of protocol 2, for example, if the reception state of a signal from the base station changes frequently and an idle handoff (handoff in a standby state) occurs, the RF circuit of the wireless communication terminal is occupied by protocol 2 for a long time. Is done.

  In the protocol 1 base station, since the signal from the wireless communication terminal is not transmitted, a communication forced disconnection signal is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal, and the communication with the wireless communication terminal is terminated. However, since the RF circuit is occupied by the protocol 2 in the wireless communication terminal, the communication forced disconnection signal from the protocol 1 base station cannot be received.

  When the idle handoff process in protocol 2 is completed, the wireless communication terminal returns to protocol 1 and transmits a data communication resume signal to the protocol 1 base station. Since communication with has been completed, data communication cannot be resumed.

  That is, during the protocol 1 communication, the RF circuit is occupied in the protocol 2 for a long time, so that the communication in the protocol 1 is disconnected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a wireless communication terminal that suppresses deterioration of the incoming rate and unexpected disconnection of communication in a hybrid terminal that performs communication by switching two protocols. With the goal.

The first invention is commonly used in the communication protocol control means of the first communication method, the communication protocol control means of the second communication method, and the first communication method and the second communication method. A wireless communication unit; a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to switch between the first communication method and the second communication method; and a time at which each communication protocol control unit uses the wireless communication unit. A designation means for designating a maximum delay time indicating how long to wait for the next use of the wireless communication means and a use time of the wireless communication means; and a communication protocol control means for the first communication method, The use of the wireless communication means of the first communication method is assigned between the time when the wireless communication means specified by the specifying means is used and the maximum delay time in which the delay in use can be allowed, and the second The communication protocol control means of the communication system uses the wireless communication means of the second communication system from the time when the wireless communication means specified by the specifying means is used to the maximum delay time that allows the delay in use. Allocating means for allocating use, and the control means switches and controls the communication method of the wireless communication means based on the allocation.

  The second invention is characterized in that the allocation means allocates a reservation by searching for a time during which the reservation can be allocated within the maximum delay time of the reservation.

  The third invention is characterized in that the assigning means assigns in order from the reservation that ends the maximum delay time earlier.

  The fourth invention is characterized in that, when a plurality of reservations overlap, the assigning means compares the reservation priorities and assigns a reservation having a high priority.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method switching method used for a wireless communication terminal that switches between wireless communication means that are used in common in the first communication method and the second communication method. The maximum delay time indicating how long the communication protocol control means of the communication method and the communication protocol control means of the second communication method use the wireless communication means and how long to wait for the next use of the wireless communication means. And the use time of the wireless communication means, and from the time when the wireless communication means specified by the communication protocol control means of the first communication method is used to the maximum delay time that allows the delay in use. The use of the wireless communication means of the first communication method is assigned during the period, and the use of the wireless communication means specified by the message protocol control means of the second communication method is used from the time of use. Assign the use of the wireless communication means of the second communication scheme for up to a delay of the can Gen'yo delay time, and switches the communication mode of the wireless communication means based on the assignment.

  The sixth invention is characterized in that a reservation is allocated by searching for a time within which the reservation can be allocated within the maximum delay time of the reservation.

  The seventh invention is characterized in that the maximum delay time is assigned in order from the reservation that ends earlier.

  The eighth invention is characterized in that when a plurality of reservations are overlapped, the priorities of the reservations are compared and a reservation having a high priority is assigned.

  According to the present invention, in a RF shared hybrid terminal, one protocol occupies an RF circuit continuously for a long time, so that the protocol operation that is essential for another protocol is hardly hindered, and a protocol with a high priority is used. It is reduced that the operation is hindered by the operation of a lower priority protocol. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the RF usage right contention problem in the RF shared hybrid wireless communication terminal, and to realize functionality close to that of the RF independent wireless communication terminal. In addition, costs can be reduced as compared with RF independent wireless communication terminals.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the embodiment described below, the communication protocol used for the cdma 2000 1x communication method and the protocol used for the 1x EVDO communication method will be described. However, it is assumed that other protocols are used. However, the present invention can be similarly applied.

  The configuration of the wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention is the same as the conventional one shown in FIG.

  A wireless communication terminal is a mobile phone that supports data communication, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a computer device to which a data communication card with a built-in wireless device is added, and the like. ) And transmit radio waves (uplink signals) to the radio base station, and the antenna 2 is connected to the radio unit (RF circuit) 1. The radio unit 1 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit. The transmission unit generates a high-frequency signal to be transmitted from the antenna 2, and the reception unit performs amplification, frequency conversion, and the like on the high-frequency signal received by the antenna 2. Output to unit 6.

The RF control unit 3 switches the communication protocol control units 4 and 5 to control the radio unit 1. That is, the wireless unit 1 operates under the control of either the communication protocol control unit 4 or 5, and the communication protocol control unit 4 or 5 is switched by the RF control unit 3.
FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram when a general wireless communication terminal receives an incoming call, and shows a case where an incoming call occurs in one protocol.

The communication protocol between the terminal and the base station uses an RF circuit to send and receive messages and process registration, outgoing call, incoming call, communication channel connection, communication channel disconnection, and the like. During transmission and reception of this message, the RF circuit is occupied by the communication protocol. In addition, a wireless communication terminal may occupy an RF circuit voluntarily, such as system search, system synchronization, base station information acquisition, idle handoff, data transmission, and channel quality measurement.
An incoming notification message (first time) is transmitted from the protocol 1 base station at the protocol 1 incoming monitoring timing, but the wireless communication terminal has failed to receive for some reason.

  When an incoming call notification message (second time) is received from the protocol 1 base station at the next protocol 1 incoming call monitoring timing (after 5.12 seconds), the incoming call process is terminated and the communication channel assignment process is started.

  The wireless communication terminal transmits a communication channel assignment request in the communication channel assignment process. The time from this incoming call processing (reception of incoming call notification message) to communication channel assignment processing (transmission of communication channel assignment request) is provided with a maximum of 5 seconds. Then, a communication channel assignment signal is transmitted from the protocol 1 base station. When receiving the communication channel assignment signal, the wireless communication terminal transmits a communication channel assignment completion signal and ends the communication channel assignment process.

  Thereafter, the wireless communication terminal starts a data communication start process and transmits a data communication service request to the protocol 1 base station. The time from the communication channel assignment process (transmission of the communication channel assignment completion signal) to the data communication start process (transmission of the data communication service request) is provided with a maximum of 10 seconds. Then, a data communication service start notification is transmitted from the protocol 1 base station, and data communication can be started.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram when an incoming call is received by the wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of this invention.

  In the wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, an RF lock management task is operating in addition to the protocol 1 and protocol 2 control programs, and protocol 1 and protocol 2 are switched by the RF lock management task. It is working. Here, protocol 2 is set to have higher priority than protocol 1.

  As shown in FIG. 15, protocol 1 and protocol 2 receive signals from base stations of each protocol intermittently at non-overlapping timings and monitor incoming calls in each protocol. At the end of the incoming call monitoring time, the protocol 2 control program designates lock reservation information (protocol name, lock priority, desired lock time, lock usage time, and lock acquisition deadline) for the next incoming call monitoring. The RF lock is reserved for the RF lock management task (1). This desired lock time is the time when the protocol 2 wishes to use the RF circuit next time. The lock use time is the time when the protocol 2 occupies the RF circuit when the next RF circuit is used. Is a parameter indicating the maximum delay time for how long Protocol 2 can wait for the next RF circuit to be used.

  In the present embodiment, in protocol 2, the desired lock time is set to “current time + intermittent reception cycle (5.12 seconds)”, and the lock usage time is set to “protocol switching time + common channel monitoring time”. . Further, since the intermittent reception timing for incoming call monitoring is strictly defined, the process cannot be delayed, and the lock acquisition deadline is set to the same time as the lock desired time. The priority may be set as a fixed priority for each protocol, but may be set as appropriate according to the process in which the protocol uses the RF circuit. For example, a high priority is set during RF operation related to handoff during communication. Conversely, a low priority is set for the use of the RF circuit for report transmission.

  When the reception monitoring timing of protocol 1 comes after the reception timing of protocol 2, the control program of protocol 1 requests the RF lock management task to request the RF lock and requests the occupation of the RF circuit by protocol 1. The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the RF lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 1 control program of successful RF lock acquisition. . Then, protocol 1 uses the RF circuit to start the incoming monitoring of protocol 1.

  When the incoming call notification message is received from the protocol 1 base station, the processing in protocol 1 continues thereafter. Therefore, the RF lock management task is requested to extend the RF lock, and the RF circuit usage time according to protocol 1 is used. Request an extension of The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the RF lock extension request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 1 control program of successful RF lock acquisition. To do. Then, the protocol 1 control program starts the communication channel assignment process, and the protocol 1 further uses the RF circuit to transmit a communication channel assignment request.

  Thereafter, when the reservation timer of protocol 2 expires (2), the control program of protocol 2 requests the RF lock management task for the RF lock. The RF lock management task determines that the protocol 2 has a higher priority than the protocol 1, notifies the control program of the protocol 1 of the loss of lock, and ends the communication channel assignment process of the protocol 1 ( 3). Therefore, even if a communication channel assignment signal is subsequently transmitted from the protocol 1 base station, the wireless communication terminal cannot receive the communication channel assignment signal, and the incoming call in protocol 1 fails.

  When the RF lock management task notifies the protocol 2 control program of the successful lock acquisition, the protocol 2 uses the RF circuit to start monitoring the incoming protocol 2 protocol.

  Then, when the incoming call notification message is received from the base station of protocol 2, the processing in protocol 2 continues thereafter, so the RF lock management task is requested to extend the RF lock, and the RF circuit occupation time by protocol 2 (4). The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 2 control program of successful lock acquisition. Then, the protocol 2 control program starts the communication channel assignment process, and the protocol 2 further uses the RF circuit to transmit a communication channel assignment request. When a communication channel assignment signal is transmitted from the protocol 2 base station and the wireless communication terminal receives the communication channel assignment signal, the wireless communication terminal transmits a communication channel assignment completion signal and ends the communication channel assignment process.

  Thereafter, the protocol 2 control program starts data communication start processing, the wireless communication terminal transmits a data communication service request to the protocol 2 base station, and is notified of the start of the data communication service from the protocol 2 base station. Thus, preparation for communication is completed and data communication can be started.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the priority of the protocol 2 is higher than the priority of the protocol 1, the incoming call monitoring timing of the protocol 2 during the communication channel assignment process of the protocol 1 is reached. Since the communication channel assignment process is cancelled, the incoming process of protocol 1 fails, but the incoming process of protocol 2 succeeds, and the operation with higher priority can be performed.

  FIG. 3 is another sequence diagram when the wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention receives an incoming call.

  As shown in FIG. 15, protocol 1 and protocol 2 receive incoming calls from base stations intermittently at non-overlapping timings. Here, protocol 1 is set to have higher priority than protocol 2.

  The protocol 2 control program, at the end of the protocol 2 incoming monitoring time, provides lock reservation information (protocol name, lock priority, desired lock time, lock usage time and lock acquisition deadline) for the next incoming call monitoring. Designate and reserve RF lock for RF lock management task.

  When the reception monitoring timing of protocol 1 comes after the reception timing of protocol 2, the control program of protocol 1 requests the RF lock management task to request the RF lock and requests the occupation of the RF circuit by protocol 1. The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the RF lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 1 control program of successful lock acquisition. Then, protocol 1 uses the RF circuit to start the incoming monitoring of protocol 1.

  When the incoming call notification message is received from the protocol 1 base station, the processing in protocol 1 continues thereafter. Therefore, the RF lock management task is requested to extend the RF lock, and the RF circuit usage time according to protocol 1 is used. Request an extension of The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the RF lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 1 control program of successful RF lock acquisition. . Then, the protocol 1 control program starts the communication channel assignment process, and the protocol 1 further uses the RF circuit to transmit a communication channel assignment request.

  Thereafter, when the reservation timer of protocol 2 expires (1), the control program of protocol 2 requests the RF lock management task for the RF lock. The RF lock management task determines that protocol 1 has a higher priority than protocol 2, and because the processing of protocol 1 with a higher priority is being executed, the acquisition of the RF lock by protocol 2 fails. The control program 2 is notified of the RF lock acquisition failure, and the protocol 2 incoming monitoring at that timing fails. Then, the protocol 2 control program reserves an RF lock for the RF lock management task for the next incoming call monitoring.

  Then, a communication channel assignment signal is transmitted from the protocol 1 base station. When receiving the communication channel assignment signal, the wireless communication terminal transmits a communication channel assignment completion signal. Since the processing in the protocol 1 continues thereafter, the RF lock management task is requested to extend the RF lock, and the protocol circuit 1 is requested to extend the usage time of the RF circuit (3). The RF lock management task knows from the lock acquisition deadline included in the RF lock extension request that this extension request can be postponed up to 10 seconds, during which time protocol 2 incoming monitoring is performed. Then, the RF lock acquisition failure is notified to the protocol 1 control program, and the extension request is made to fail for the time being. Then, the lock reservation timer in the protocol 1 is reset so as to expire after the incoming monitoring of the protocol 2 (4), and the data communication start process in the protocol 1 is performed after the incoming monitoring of the protocol 2 is monitored.

  Then, the reservation timer of protocol 2 expires, and protocol 2 requests the RF lock to the RF lock management task. The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the RF lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 2 control program of successful RF lock acquisition. . Then, protocol 2 uses the RF circuit to start monitoring the incoming call of protocol 2. Then, the protocol 2 control program reserves an RF lock for the RF lock management task for the next incoming call monitoring at the end of the protocol 2 incoming call monitoring time.

  Protocol 1 requests RF lock to the RF lock management task because the previously set timer expires immediately after the termination of protocol 2 incoming processing. The RF lock management task investigates duplication with other RF lock reservations, determines whether or not the lock request can be accepted, and notifies the protocol 1 control program of successful lock acquisition. Protocol 1 occupies the RF circuit, transmits a data communication service request to the protocol 1 base station, and is notified of the start of the data communication service from the protocol 1 base station. In this state, data communication can be started.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the priority of protocol 1 (communication channel assignment processing) is higher than that of protocol 2 (incoming monitoring processing), the communication channel assignment processing of protocol 1 is in progress. When the incoming monitoring timing of protocol 2 is reached, the incoming monitoring of protocol 2 will be failed only once, and the second incoming call of protocol 2 will be performed after the communication channel allocation processing is completed until the next data communication service request processing starts. Monitoring processing can be performed. Therefore, the incoming communication process of protocol 1 can be continued without failure of the communication channel assignment process of protocol 1. In addition, since the incoming monitoring of the protocol 2 fails only once in intermittent reception, both protocols can be operated without failing the incoming call although the incoming call is delayed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of RF lock reservation processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The protocol control program reserves an RF lock for the RF lock management task by designating the protocol name, lock reservation priority, desired lock time, lock use time, and lock acquisition time limit (S101). As described above, the lock desired time is the time when the protocol 2 desires to use the RF circuit next, and the lock use time is the time that the protocol 2 occupies the RF circuit when the next RF circuit is used. The lock acquisition deadline is a parameter indicating the maximum delay time until which the protocol 2 can wait for use of the next RF circuit.

  In the RF lock management task, RF lock reservation information is held (S102), and a lock reservation timer that expires at the desired lock time is set (S103). Then, a reservation number (reservation ID) indicating the created RF lock reservation is notified to the protocol control program (S104).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the lock reservation timer of the embodiment of the present invention expires.

  When the lock reservation timer expires, the state shifts to a lock requesting state (S111). Then, lock acquisition determination processing (FIG. 10) is executed (S112). If the lock acquisition is successful, the state shifts to an RF lock in-use state, and the protocol occupies the RF circuit and executes processing (S113). On the other hand, if the lock acquisition fails, the process shifts to the RF lock reservation state and waits for the next lock reservation timer to expire (S114).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the RF lock request process according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is an RF lock reservation process with the desired lock time as the current time. This indicates, for example, RF lock reservation processing when a user makes a call when suddenly using RF.

  The protocol control program designates the protocol name, lock reservation priority, desired lock time, and lock acquisition deadline for the RF lock management task (S122). Then, an RF lock is reserved using the desired lock time as the current time (S123). Then, a reservation number (reservation ID) indicating the created RF lock reservation is notified to the protocol control program (S124).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of RF lock reservation change processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The protocol control program designates the reservation ID, lock reservation priority, desired lock time, lock usage time, and lock acquisition deadline for the RF lock management task (S131). Then, the RF lock reservation storing the RF lock of the designated reservation ID is searched (S132). Then, the reservation content is changed to the priority of the lock reservation designated in step S131, the desired lock time, the lock use time, and the lock acquisition deadline (S133). The lock reservation timer is reset so as to expire at the desired lock time (S134).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the RF lock extension request process according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is a process in which the lock owner makes an RF lock extension request while using the RF lock.

  When the RF lock extension request is made, since the protocol uses the RF circuit, the RF lock is being used (S141). The protocol control program specifies a reservation ID, lock reservation priority, lock usage time, and lock acquisition deadline for the RF lock management task (S142). Then, the lock reservation is changed with the desired lock time as the current time (S143).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the RF lock loss process according to the embodiment of this invention, and is executed at an arbitrary timing during use of the RF lock or when the period (usage time) in which the lock is reserved ends.

  When the lock loss process is performed, since the protocol uses the RF circuit, the lock is in use (S151). The protocol control program issues a lock extension request to the RF lock management task when the protocol processing continues (S152), and determines whether or not the RF lock acquisition is successful (S153). If the RF lock acquisition is successful, the RF lock loss is rejected and the protocol operation is continued (S154). On the other hand, if acquisition of the RF lock fails, an RF lock reservation is made for the next operation in the protocol (S155), the RF processing currently being performed is immediately interrupted, and the RF circuit is released (S156).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the RF lock acquisition determination processing according to the embodiment of this invention, which is executed when the communication protocol requests RF lock (S112 in FIG. 5) and when the reservation timer expires.

  When the RF lock acquisition determination process is called, an RF lock allocation process (FIG. 11) is executed (S161). Then, it is determined whether or not the protocol (lock owner) that occupies the RF circuit has been changed as a result of the RF lock assignment (S162). When it is determined that the lock owner has been changed as a result of the new RF lock assignment and the RF usage right is taken away from the protocol that is using the RF circuit, the lock is lost to the protocol (current owner) that currently occupies the RF circuit. Is notified (S163). The protocol notified of the loss of the RF lock immediately interrupts the current RF processing and opens the RF circuit. Thus, by depriving the RF usage right from the protocol that is using the RF circuit, the processing of the protocol with the higher priority is not hindered by the processing of the protocol with the lower priority. Further, when the priority is set to the maximum, it is possible to perform control so that the RF process of another protocol is not interrupted during the continuous RF process.

  Next, as a result of the new RF lock assignment, it is determined whether or not a lock can be immediately assigned to the RF lock request (S164). If it is determined that the RF lock can be assigned immediately, the lock acquisition success is notified in response to the RF lock request (S165). On the other hand, if it is determined that the lock cannot be allocated immediately, a failure to acquire the lock is notified in response to the RF lock request (S166). At this time, the protocol notified of the failure to acquire the RF lock determines whether to reserve the RF lock again and wait until the RF usage right is given, or to abandon the lock reservation and give up the RF processing.

  If the RF usage right allocation time for each RF lock reservation is changed as a result of the new RF lock allocation, the lock reservation timer is reset at the changed time (S166).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of RF lock allocation processing according to the embodiment of this invention.

  First, an RF lock reservation with the earliest lock acquisition deadline is assigned (S172). Then, an attempt is made to allocate an RF lock reservation with the next earliest lock acquisition deadline (S173). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an appropriate free time (S174). If there is no appropriate free time, it is determined that the assignment of the RF lock reservation has failed (S175), and the RF lock reservation with the lowest priority is ignored. (S176). Then, the process returns to step S172, and the RF lock reservations are reassigned again in order from the RF lock reservation with the earliest lock acquisition deadline.

  On the other hand, if there is an appropriate free time, it is determined whether or not all RF lock reservations have been assigned by this lock reservation assignment (S177). If all the RF lock reservations have been assigned, the RF lock assignment has succeeded (S178), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the allocation of some RF lock reservations has not been completed, the process returns to step S173, and an attempt is made to allocate an RF lock reservation with the earliest lock acquisition deadline (S173).

  As described above, in the RF lock assignment processing according to the present embodiment, the priority of the lock reservation and the average RF usage time for the RF processing being executed collected in the RF lock management task and the RF processing that may be executed in the future. And schedule the optimal RF lock assignment from the maximum allowable delay time.

  FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram of the wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The communication protocol of the present invention operates by changing the state in three states of “reserving zero or more RF locks”, “requesting RF locks”, and “using RF locks” for RF lock management. Yes.

  The “RF lock reservation in progress” state is a standby state in which the lock reservation timer expires or is waiting for an RF lock request by the protocol. In the “RF lock reservation” state, the protocol does not operate using the RF circuit.

  The “RF lock requesting” state is a state in which the protocol is asking whether an RF lock management task can acquire a lock. When the RF lock can be acquired, the protocol occupies the RF circuit and performs wireless communication. When the RF lock cannot be acquired, the protocol determines whether to reserve the RF lock again or give up the RF lock reservation.

  The “RF lock in use” state is a state in which a certain protocol performs wireless communication using an RF circuit. When it is desired to use the RF lock longer than the original reservation time, the protocol using the RF circuit requires the RF lock extension. When it is no longer necessary to use the RF circuit, the RF lock is released. Also, in the lock loss determination shown in FIG. 9, when the RF lock loss is determined, the current operation is immediately terminated and the RF lock is released.

  When in the “RF Lock Reserving” or “RF Lock In Use” state, the protocol can reserve an RF lock for later RF processing at any time. In addition, the RF lock reservation can be deleted or the RF lock reservation can be changed as necessary, for example, when the sequence changes with respect to the original schedule.

  If the information reserved for RF lock is accurate, the lock acquisition determination at the time of RF lock request operates efficiently. RF lock reservation information such as RF processing priority, desired lock time, lock usage time, and lock acquisition deadline changes depending on the protocol operation status, so frequently add and modify RF lock reservations and extend locks in detail. Then, the lock acquisition determination works more efficiently.

  The RF lock described above can be realized by the same principle even when one protocol is performing data communication and one protocol is paging (standby).

It is a sequence diagram at the time of the incoming call of the radio | wireless communication terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the incoming call of the radio | wireless communication terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the incoming call of the radio | wireless communication terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lock reservation process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a process when the lock reservation timer of embodiment of this invention expires. It is a flowchart of the lock change process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lock reservation request | requirement process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lock | rock extension request | requirement process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lock loss process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the lock acquisition determination process of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the lock allocation process of embodiment of this invention. It is a state transition diagram of the radio | wireless communication terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a conventional dual-type wireless communication terminal. 1 is a block diagram of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of incoming call monitoring operation of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of incoming call monitoring operation of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram at the time of an incoming call of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. 10 is a timing diagram of an operation during communication of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. 10 is a timing diagram of an operation during communication of a hybrid wireless communication terminal. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of an operation during communication of a hybrid wireless communication terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1 RF circuit (wireless part)
2 Antenna 3 RF control unit 4 Communication protocol control unit (wireless system 1)
5 Communication protocol controller (wireless system 2)
6 Wireless communication application part

Claims (8)

Communication protocol control means for the first communication method;
A communication protocol control means for the second communication method;
Wireless communication means used in common in the first communication method and the second communication method;
A control means for controlling the wireless communication means to switch between the first communication method and the second communication method;
Each communication protocol control means designates the time when the wireless communication means is used, the maximum delay time indicating how long it can wait for the next use of the wireless communication means, and the usage time of the wireless communication means Designation means;
The communication protocol control unit of the first communication method uses the wireless communication unit specified by the specifying unit until the maximum delay time in which the delay in use can be tolerated. Between the time when the use of the wireless communication means is assigned and the communication protocol control means of the second communication method uses the wireless communication means specified by the specifying means to the maximum delay time that the delay in use can be tolerated. Assigning means for allocating use of the wireless communication means of the second communication method,
The wireless communication terminal, wherein the control means switches and controls a communication method of the wireless communication means based on the assignment.   The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the allocating unit allocates a reservation by searching for a time during which the reservation can be allocated within the maximum delay time of the reservation.   The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assigning means assigns in order from a reservation that ends the maximum delay time earlier.   4. The radio according to claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of reservations overlap, the assigning unit compares the reservation priorities and assigns a reservation with a high priority. 5. Communication terminal. A communication method switching method used for a wireless communication terminal that switches and uses wireless communication means commonly used in the first communication method and the second communication method,
The communication protocol control means of the first communication method and the communication protocol control means of the second communication method indicate the time when the wireless communication means is used and how long it can wait for the next use of the wireless communication means. Specify the maximum delay time and the usage time of the wireless communication means,
The wireless communication means of the first communication method is between the time when the wireless communication means specified by the communication protocol control means of the first communication method is used and the maximum delay time in which the delay in use is allowable. Assign usage,
The wireless communication means of the second communication method between the time when the wireless communication means specified by the message protocol control means of the second communication method is used and the maximum delay time in which the delay in use is allowable Assign the use of
A communication system switching method, characterized in that the communication system of the wireless communication means is switched based on the assignment.   6. The communication method switching method according to claim 5, wherein a reservation is allocated by searching for a time in which the reservation can be allocated within the maximum delay time of the reservation.   The communication method switching method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the maximum delay time is assigned in order from a reservation that ends earlier.   The communication method switching method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when a plurality of reservations are overlapped, priority of the reservations is compared and a reservation having a high priority is assigned.

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