JP5263362B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus including a plurality of wireless communication units having different communication methods.

  In recent years, with the progress of the IP (Internet Protocol) of the core network in the mobile phone communication network, the affinity between the mobile phone and the IP protocol is increasing. With this trend, mobile phones equipped with a plurality of wireless communication means having different communication methods such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network, IEEE802.11) have appeared. In such a cellular phone, a call can be made by using each wireless communication means, and in addition, a handover while calling between different communication methods (for example, between W-CDMA and WLAN) is also tackled. Has been made. In the future, it is considered that the wireless communication means will be switched as appropriate and the communication will proceed in the direction of using the appropriate wireless communication means.

  In the prior art, communication parameters such as power consumption, communication cost, and communication quality of wireless communication means are stored in a list format in the device in advance for each communication method, and an index that the user attaches importance to at the start of communication. There is an apparatus that selects a wireless communication means of a communication method that satisfies the requirement.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when a communication application such as e-mail or file transfer is started, a judgment element to be emphasized that is set in advance by a user (time required for data transmission / reception, communication line usage fee, or communication line use time) Wireless data communication apparatus has been proposed that automatically selects an appropriate wireless communication means on the basis of the power consumption) and data on each determination element.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the remaining capacity of the battery drops below a predetermined value during a call using a certain wireless communication means, the wireless communication means to be used is changed from the currently used wireless communication means. In addition, a wireless communication device that switches to a wireless communication means with low power consumption has been proposed.

JP 2000-224652 A JP 2000-232683 A

  However, in the prior art, when the wireless communication means is selected based on the power consumption, the selection is performed based on a parameter relating to the power consumption of the wireless communication means held in advance. It is not possible to estimate the total power consumption related to communication including the dynamic change of the power consumed by the device and the power consumed by the functional blocks used during communication other than the wireless communication means. Therefore, there is a possibility that an optimal wireless communication means for suppressing power consumption cannot be selected.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a wireless communication device capable of selecting an optimal wireless communication unit for suppressing power consumption and changing to an optimal wireless communication unit for suppressing power consumption. The purpose is to do.

  A wireless communication apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus including a plurality of wireless communication units having different communication methods, and includes a measurement unit, a calculation unit, and a selection unit. The measuring means measures the power consumption of each of the plurality of means including the wireless communication means that is used during the communication or the test communication during the communication according to each communication method or during the test communication. The calculation means calculates a total power consumption that is a sum of the power consumptions for each of the measurements measured by the measurement means. The selecting means weights the total power consumption at the time of communication and the total power consumption at the time of test communication for each of the communication methods to calculate the weighted total power consumption, and the weighted communication time for each communication method. Based on the total power consumption, the communication method used at the start of communication is selected.

  According to the present invention, in a wireless communication apparatus provided with a plurality of wireless communication means with different communication methods, when starting communication, it is possible to start communication by selecting an optimal wireless communication means to reduce power consumption, During communication, communication can be continued by changing to a wireless communication means that is optimal for reducing power consumption.

The present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 is a functional block diagram of a portable information terminal device that is a wireless communication device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the unit utilized when performing a telephone call by W-CDMA or WLAN. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable information terminal device at the time of a telephone call start. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable information terminal device in a telephone call. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation between two portable information terminal devices A and B performing a call according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the list | wrist of a communication system / power consumption.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a portable information terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as “mobile terminal”), which is a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a WLAN communication unit 1 is a wireless communication unit that performs communication by an WLAN communication method via an antenna 1b. The current measuring unit 1 a measures the current consumption of the WLAN communication unit 1.

  The W-CDMA communication unit 2 is a wireless communication unit that performs communication using the W-CDMA communication method via the antenna 2b. The current measuring unit 2a measures the current consumption of the W-CDMA communication unit 2.

  The display unit 3 displays various types of information such as a communication method used during communication under the control of the CPU unit 10. The current measuring unit 3 a measures the current consumption of the display unit 3.

  The Memory unit (storage unit) 4 is a RAM used as a storage area for various information, a work area for the CPU unit 10, and the like. The power consumption data storage unit 4b, which is a part of the storage area, will be described in detail later. Data relating to power consumption is stored. The current measuring unit 4 a measures the current consumption of the Memory unit 4.

  The ROM 5 stores a control program 5a for the CPU unit 10 to control the operation of the entire mobile terminal.

  The AUDIO unit 6 includes a D / A conversion unit 6a and an A / D conversion unit 6b. The D / A conversion unit 6 a converts the digital signal output from the CPU unit 10 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the speaker 7. The A / D conversion unit 6 b converts the analog signal output from the microphone 8 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU unit 10.

  The speaker 7 outputs sound corresponding to the analog signal output from the D / A conversion unit 6a. The microphone 8 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the input voice to the A / D converter 6b.

  The operation unit (Key) 9 includes various keys, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the key operated by the user to the CPU unit 10.

  The CPU unit 10 reads and executes the control program 5a stored in the ROM 5, thereby controlling the operation of the entire mobile terminal. The CPU unit 10 includes a power measurement unit 10a, a voice concealment processing unit 10b, an IP processing unit 10c, and a voice codec unit 10e. The power measurement unit 10a measures each power consumption based on the current consumption measured by each of the current measurement units 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a. The power measuring unit 10a also measures the power consumption of the voice concealment processing unit 10b, the IP processing unit 10c, and the voice codec unit 10e. The voice concealment processing unit 10b performs digital voice data encryption and decryption processing (voice concealment processing) when performing communication by W-CDMA. The IP processing unit 10c performs processing such as converting digital voice data into an IP packet and extracting digital voice data from the IP packet. The IP processing unit 10c includes an IP packet encryption processing unit 10d that performs encryption and decryption processing of IP packets using IPsec (IP Security). The speech codec unit 10e includes an AMR unit 10f that performs speech encoding and speech decoding using AMR (Advanced Multi Rate CODEC), G. 711 that performs voice encoding and voice decoding processing according to G.711. 711 parts 10g.

  In the present embodiment, the power measuring unit 10a, the voice concealment processing unit 10b, the IP processing unit 10c, and the voice codec unit 10e are realized by the CPU unit 10 executing the control program 5a. .

  In the present embodiment, the power consumption of each of the WLAN communication unit 1, the W-CDMA communication unit 2, the display unit 3, and the Memory unit 4 measured by the power measurement unit 10a is the consumption measured by each unit. It can be obtained from the product of the current and the voltage supplied to each unit. Further, the power consumption of each of the voice concealment processing unit 10b, the IP processing unit 10c, and the voice codec unit 10e uses a tool such as a performance monitor that can determine the occupancy rate of each process operating on the CPU unit 10. Then, the process occupancy of each unit can be obtained, and the product of the process occupancy and the power consumption of the CPU unit 10 as a whole can be obtained for each unit. The power consumption of the CPU unit 10 as a whole can be obtained by measuring the current consumption of the CPU unit 10 and multiplying it by the voltage supplied to the CPU unit 10 as described above.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a unit used when making a call by W-CDMA or WLAN in the mobile terminal shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a call is made by W-CDMA, the incoming call is received from the W-CDMA communication unit 2 → the voice concealment processing unit 10 b → the AMR unit 10 f of the voice codec unit 10 → the D / A conversion unit 6 a → the speaker. This is done through a unit such as 7. The transmission is performed through a unit such as microphone 8 ⇒ A / D conversion unit 6 b ⇒ AMR unit 10 f of speech codec unit 10 ⇒ speech concealment processing unit 10 b ⇒ W-CDMA communication unit 2.

  As described above, when a call is performed by W-CDMA, the W-CDMA communication unit 2, the voice concealment processing unit 10b, the AMR unit 10f of the voice codec unit 10, the D / A conversion unit 6a, and the A / D conversion unit 6b. Seven units of a speaker 7 and a microphone 8 are used. In addition, the display unit 3 for performing a predetermined display (for example, a display indicating that a call is being made by W-CDMA) during a call by W-CDMA, and a detailed description will be given later. A Memory unit 4 (power consumption data storage unit 4b) in which data regarding power consumption is written is also used.

  In the present embodiment, among these units used during a W-CDMA call, the W-CDMA communication unit 2, the voice concealment processing unit 10b, the AMR unit 10f of the voice codec unit 10, the display unit 3, and the Memory unit. By measuring the power consumption of each unit 4 and obtaining the sum of them, the total power consumption during a call using W-CDMA is obtained.

  Also, in this embodiment, a call (calling operation to a predetermined destination) as a test operation by W-CDMA is performed, and the power consumption of each unit (2, 10b, 10f, 3 and 4) at that time , And the total sum thereof is obtained to obtain the total power consumption during a call as a test operation by W-CDMA (hereinafter simply referred to as “during a test call by W-CDMA”).

  As a result, the portable terminal uses not only the power consumption of the W-CDMA communication unit 2 but also other units (10b, 10) as the power consumption of the units used in each of the W-CDMA call and the test call. 10f, 3, and 4) can be estimated.

  On the other hand, when a telephone call is made by WLAN, the incoming call is received from WLAN communication unit 1 ⇒ IP packet encryption processing unit 10 d ⇒ IP processing unit 10 c ⇒ voice codec unit 10. This is done through units such as 711 part 10g → D / A converter 6a → speaker 7. The transmission is performed by the microphone 8 ⇒ A / D converter 6 b ⇒ G. It is performed through units such as 711 unit 10g → IP processing unit 10c → IP packet encryption processing unit 10d → WLAN communication unit 1.

  As described above, when a telephone call is made by WLAN, the G. of the WLAN communication unit 1, the IP packet encryption processing unit 10d, the IP processing unit 10c, and the voice codec unit 10 are connected. Eight units of 711 unit 10g, D / A conversion unit 6a, A / D conversion unit 6b, speaker 7, and microphone 8 are used. In addition to the above, similarly to the above, during the WLAN call, the display unit 3 that performs a predetermined display (for example, a display indicating that the WLAN call is being performed) and the details will be described later. A Memory unit 4 (power consumption data storage unit 4b) in which power consumption during a call is written is also used.

  In the present embodiment, among the units used during a telephone call using these WLANs, the WLAN communication unit 1, the IP packet encryption processing unit 10d, the IP processing unit 10c, and the G.D. The power consumption of each unit of the 711 unit 10g, the display unit 3, and the memory unit 4 is measured, and the total power of the units is obtained, thereby obtaining the total power consumption during the telephone call using the WLAN.

  In this embodiment, a telephone call (calling operation to a predetermined destination) is performed as a test operation by WLAN, and the power consumption of each unit (1, 10d, 10c, 10g, 3, and 4) at that time is performed. , And the total sum thereof is obtained to obtain the total power consumption during a call as a test operation by WLAN (hereinafter simply referred to as “during a test call by WLAN”).

  As a result, the mobile terminal uses not only the power consumption of the WLAN communication unit 1 but also other units (10g of 10d, 10c, 10) as the power consumption of the unit used in each of the WLAN call and the test call. , 3, and 4) can be estimated.

  In this embodiment, the IP packet encryption processing unit 10d is included as a unit used when making a telephone call using a WLAN. However, for example, when connecting to an intranet in a company using a WLAN, security is improved by the network. When secured, the IP packet encryption processing unit 10d may not be included. As described above, the configuration and power consumption of a unit used for a telephone call using a WLAN can be changed depending on the situation. The same applies to calls using W-CDMA.

  Next, as a communication operation of the mobile terminal, an operation at the start of a call and an operation during the call will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal at the start of a call.
In the figure, first, in S1 (power consumption acquisition phase), a voice call application for each communication method of W-CDMA and WLAN is operated as a test, and a test call for each communication method (the above-mentioned predetermined communication is performed). The total power consumption at the time of the test call for each of them is obtained, and these data are stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b of the Memory unit 4.

  In S2 (first half of the communication method selection phase), the data of the total power consumption during the test call for each communication method obtained in the previous step, stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b, Based on the data of the total power consumption at the time of the previous call for the communication method, the data is weighted and power consumption error correction is performed to calculate the power consumption for each communication method.

  In the weighting for data, for example, the latter regarding the total power consumption data during the test call for each communication method obtained in the previous step and the total power consumption data during the previous call for each communication method. When importance is attached to the power consumption data, weighting is performed on the data as shown in Expression (1).

Power consumption data after weight =
Total power consumption data during the last call x 0.3 +
Total power consumption data during a test call x 0.7 (1)
Further, in the power consumption error correction, for example, the data of the maximum value and the minimum value of the total power consumption during the test call for each communication method stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b, or This is performed using the maximum value and minimum value data of the total power consumption during a call for the communication method.

  In S2, the data of the total power consumption at the time of the test call and the call for each communication method stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b (however, the total power at the time of the test call obtained in S1) The power consumption data (excluding power consumption data) is obtained by an operation during a call to be described later with reference to FIG.

  In S3 (second half of the communication method selection phase), the power consumption data for each communication method calculated in the previous step is compared, and the communication method with the smaller value is selected. As a result, the wireless communication means of the selected communication method is selected as the wireless communication means.

In S4, a call is started using the communication method selected in the previous step.
With such an operation, the mobile terminal can start a call by selecting an optimal communication method for suppressing power consumption at the start of communication.

  In this flow, in S2, weighting for data and error correction of power consumption are performed, but only weighting for data may be performed.

  In the present flow, the process of S1 can be omitted. However, in this case, in S2 and S3, the total power consumption data at the time of the previous call for each communication method stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b is compared, and the communication method with the smaller value is compared. Select. Alternatively, in S2 and S3, the average value of the total power consumption data during a call for each communication method stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b is obtained, compared, and the smaller value is obtained. Select the communication method.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal during a call.
In the figure, first, in S11, a telephone call is started according to the flow shown in FIG.

  In S12, the total power consumption during the call for the communication method used for the current call is obtained, and this data is stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b of the Memory unit 4 in a log format.

  In S13, a test call is made for a communication method that is not used for the current call, the total power consumption during the test call is obtained, and this data is stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b in a log format. However, the process of S13 does not necessarily have to be performed every time, such as being executed at a rate of once every predetermined number of times.

  In S14, similarly to the process described in S2 of FIG. 2, weighting of data and error correction of power consumption are performed, and power consumption for each communication method is calculated. The calculation formula used for weighting the data may be different from the above-described formula (1).

  In S15, the power consumption for each communication method calculated in the previous step is compared, and it is determined whether the communication method with the smaller value is different from the communication method used for the current call. . That is, it is determined whether there is a communication method that can reduce power consumption compared to the communication method used for the current call. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S16. If the determination result is No, the process returns to S12.

In S16, the count value provided corresponding to the communication method for which the determination in S15 is Yes is incremented by 1, and it is determined whether or not the count value has reached a predetermined value. If the determination result is Yes, the count value is reset to 0 and the process proceeds to S17. If No, the process returns to S12. The reason why the determination process of S16 is provided is to prevent an unnecessary change of the communication method, for example, when the situation where S15 becomes Yes is temporary.
In S17, the communication method used for the call is changed. In this embodiment, since there are only two communication methods that the mobile terminal can make a call with, W-CDMA and WLAN, when W-CDMA is used, it is changed to WLAN and when WLAN is used. Is changed to W-CDMA. This changes the wireless communication means used for the call. When the change of the communication method is completed, the process returns to S12.

  By such an operation, the mobile terminal can make a call during a call by changing to an optimal communication method for suppressing power consumption.

  In this flow, the process of S13 can be omitted. However, in this case, in S14, the data of the total power consumption at the time of the previous call for each communication method is read from the power consumption data storage unit 4b, and in S15, they are compared and communication with the smaller value is performed. It is determined whether the method and the communication method used for the current call are different.

  Further, in this flow, even if the process of S16 is omitted, the process of S16 can be omitted if there is no possibility of unnecessary change of the communication method. In this case, if the determination result in S15 is Yes, the process proceeds to S17.

  Further, in this flow, the determination condition of S16 is not limited to the above-described condition. For example, the difference in power consumption between a communication method used for a call and a communication method not used for a call is 100 mW or more. It is possible to determine whether or not there is, and if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S17, and if the determination result is No, the process can return to S12.

  In the flow shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the total power consumption data during the call and the test call for each communication method is stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b by the processes of S1, S12, and S13. When there is no free space in the power consumption data storage unit 4b due to the storage, the old data stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b is deleted in order from the old data to secure the free space.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a mobile terminal provided with two wireless communication means having different communication methods called W-CDMA and WLAN, dynamic changes in power consumed by the wireless communication means and communication other than the wireless communication means It is possible to estimate the total power consumption related to communication including the power consumed by the unit used inside, and at the start of the call, you can select the optimal communication method to reduce power consumption and start the call, During a call, the communication method can be changed to an optimum communication method for reducing power consumption. Thereby, the power consumption of the portable terminal can be suppressed, and the call time can be further extended.

  In the present embodiment, the communication methods that the portable terminal can communicate with are two, W-CDMA and WLAN, but may be three or more. The communication method is not limited to W-CDMA and WLAN. For example, other communication methods such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, IEEE 802.16a), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), and Bluetooth can be used. It is also possible to apply.

In this embodiment, the communication method is selected or changed in order to obtain the total power consumption of the units used during a call and a test call for each communication method. It is also possible to select and change the communication method by obtaining the power consumption of only the wireless communication means during a call and a test call.
[Example 2]
In the first embodiment, a call is made by changing the communication method based on the power consumption obtained by the own device. However, in the second embodiment, the power consumption obtained by the own device and the call destination portable terminal are obtained. The telephone call is made by changing the communication method based on the consumed power.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation between two mobile terminals A and B that perform a call according to the second embodiment. In this flow, the mobile terminal A operates as a master and the mobile terminal B operates as a slave. Further, the configuration and operation of each of the mobile terminals A and B are the same as those of the mobile terminal described in the first embodiment except for the description in the present embodiment.

  In the figure, first, in S21, the mobile terminal A selects a communication method according to the flow shown in FIG.

  When a session is established between the mobile terminals A and B, the mobile terminal A requests the mobile terminal B for a list of communication methods / power consumption in S22.

  In S23, in response to the request, the mobile terminal B generates a list of communication methods / power consumption for the own device based on the power consumption data stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b of the own device. This is transmitted to the portable terminal A.

Here, an example of a list of communication methods / power consumption is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, this list includes communication methods that can be used for the mobile terminal, information about power consumption, and information associated with a communication application that operates during communication. In the example of the figure, as communication methods that can be used, W-CDMA, WLAN, and information on each communication method obtained from power consumption data stored in the power consumption data storage unit 4b as information on power consumption. The average value (Average), maximum value (Max), and minimum value (min) of the total power consumption during communication, and information accompanying the voice call application as information accompanying the communication application operating during communication The list includes a speech encoding method (codec) and a communication rate for each communication method.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in S24, the mobile terminal A can refer to the list received from the mobile terminal B, and can first continue the call between the two based on the information attached to the communication application operating at the time of communication in the list. It is a communication method for each mobile terminal, and it is determined whether there is a communication method for each mobile terminal satisfying a predetermined determination condition from information on power consumption in the list, and it exists If so, the communication method for each mobile terminal is selected. Here, the predetermined determination condition is, for example, one of the following three determination conditions.

Judgment condition 1: The sum of power consumption in both portable terminals is minimized.
Judgment condition 2: Minimize the power consumption of the portable terminal on the master side.
Judgment condition 3: Minimize the power consumption of the mobile terminal on the slave side.

  In S24, the portable terminal A acquires information about the own device corresponding to each information included in the list, and performs the above-described determination.

  In S25, the communication method of each portable terminal selected in the previous step is compared with the communication method of each portable terminal used for the current call, and if they do not match, they are matched. In addition, a process for changing the communication method of both or one of the mobile terminals used for the current call is performed.

  For example, when changing both communication methods, the portable terminal A changes the communication method of its own device and requests the portable terminal B to change the communication method.

  In S26, the portable terminal B transmits an OK response to the portable terminal A as a response to the request, and changes the communication method of the own device according to the request.

  Thereby, both the communication systems of the mobile terminals A and B are changed to the communication system for each mobile terminal selected in S24.

  When both communication methods are changed at a predetermined timing, the communication method change request transmitted from the portable terminal A in S25 described above also includes information on the communication method change timing. In this case, the mobile terminal B changes the communication method at a predetermined timing according to the information about the change timing included in the request. In addition, the mobile terminal A also changes the communication method at the predetermined timing.

  In this flow, even after changing the communication method, the processing of S22 to S24 is performed regularly or irregularly, and the communication method of both or one portable terminal device is changed as necessary. It is also possible to do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication method can be changed based on the power consumption obtained by the own device and the power consumption obtained by the mobile terminal of the communication destination.

  In this embodiment, the mobile terminal A is the master and the mobile terminal B is the slave, but this can be reversed. However, it is assumed that the side requesting the list of communication methods / power consumption operates as a master.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims (1)

A wireless communication device comprising a plurality of wireless communication means having different communication methods,
Measuring means for measuring power consumption for each of a plurality of means including the wireless communication means used at the time of communication or test communication at the time of communication by each communication method or test communication;
Calculating means for calculating a total power consumption that is a sum of power consumption for each of the measured by the measuring means;
For each communication method, the total power consumption during communication and the total power consumption during test communication are weighted to calculate the total power consumption after weighting, and the total power consumption during communication for each communication method is calculated. Based on the selection means for selecting the communication method to be used at the start of communication,
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

Images