JP5644907B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device capable of wireless LAN communication.

  In recent years, mobile communication terminals have become more multifunctional. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 below describes a mobile phone terminal that includes a mobile data communication interface and a wireless LAN communication interface. This cellular phone terminal can exclusively operate the wireless LAN communication interface as a wireless slave device or a wireless master device. Specifically, the mobile phone terminal can realize wireless communication with the wireless master device by causing the wireless LAN communication interface to function as a wireless slave device. In addition, this mobile phone terminal allows the wireless LAN communication interface to function as a wireless master device, thereby allowing other wireless slave devices, for example, a game machine equipped with a wireless slave device interface, via the mobile phone terminal, It is possible to connect to the Internet.

  However, such a mobile phone terminal functions as a wireless LAN communication interface in either the wireless slave device or the wireless master device by a user operation using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on a display included in the mobile phone terminal. I had to input what to do. Such an operation is troublesome for the user. Such a problem is not limited to a mobile phone terminal, but is common to communication terminals that allow one wireless LAN communication interface to function in both the wireless master device and the wireless slave device.

“Wi-Fi N-06A”, [online], [Search date: September 21, 2010], Internet <URL: http://www.n-keitai.com/n-06a/wf.html> "Portable Wi-Fi router with built-in docomo data communication function", [online], [Search date: September 21, 2010], Internet <URL: http://buffalo.jp/product/wireless-lan/ap/ mobile / dwr-pg / ＞

  In consideration of at least a part of the above-described problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is a communication terminal that allows one wireless LAN communication interface to function exclusively in both a wireless master device and a wireless slave device. It is to improve user convenience.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples. For example, the present invention is a communication device, a wireless LAN interface including a wireless LAN control circuit, and wireless communication control for controlling wireless communication by operating the wireless LAN interface exclusively as a wireless slave device or a wireless master device And the communication device other than the communication device in which the connection relationship of communication via the wireless LAN interface is established when the communication device is operating in the wireless master mode in which the wireless LAN interface is operated as the wireless master device. A determination unit that determines presence / absence of the wireless slave device by a predetermined determination process, and when the communication device is operating in the wireless master device mode, the communication device in which the connection relationship is established When it is determined that there is no other wireless slave device, the operation of the communication device is changed from the wireless master device mode to the wireless LAN interface. Can be realized as a communication device including an operation control unit for switching the radio personal station mode is to operate as a radio personal station. In addition, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 A wireless LAN interface including a wireless LAN control circuit;
A wireless communication control unit for controlling wireless communication by operating the wireless LAN interface exclusively as a wireless slave or a wireless master;
A mobile communication control unit for controlling the exchange of data via the mobile communication network;
The wireless slave mode in which the wireless LAN interface is operated as the wireless slave and the wireless master mode in which the wireless LAN interface is operated as the wireless master are autonomously switched according to a communication environment, and the wireless When operating in the master mode, the communication device relays communication via the mobile communication network controlled by the wireless communication control unit and the wireless communication controlled by the wireless communication control unit. A communication device comprising: an operation control unit that controls the operation of the device.

  A communication apparatus having such a configuration includes a wireless LAN interface including a wireless LAN control circuit, a wireless communication control unit that exclusively operates the wireless LAN interface as a wireless slave device or a wireless master device, and controls wireless communication, and a mobile communication network And a mobile communication control unit for controlling the exchange of data via the wireless communication device, and controls by switching between the wireless slave mode and the wireless master mode. Therefore, the communication device can communicate with the wireless master device when performing the operation in the wireless slave device mode, and can communicate with the external network by communication via the mobile communication network. Also, when operating in the wireless master mode, the communication through the mobile communication network and the wireless communication controlled by the wireless communication control unit are relayed, so the communication through the mobile communication network is performed. It can communicate with an external network and provides other wireless slave units with a function as a wireless master unit so that other wireless slave units can communicate with the external network through communication via a mobile communication network. Can be done. Moreover, since the communication device autonomously switches between the wireless slave device mode and the wireless master device mode according to the communication environment, the user can save the trouble of manually switching between the wireless slave device mode and the wireless master device mode, Convenience is improved.

Application Example 2 The operation control unit operates the communication apparatus when receiving a predetermined probe request via the wireless LAN interface while the communication apparatus is operating in the wireless slave mode. The communication device according to application example 1 that switches the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode.

  When the communication device configured as described above receives a predetermined probe request during the operation in the wireless slave device mode, the communication device switches the operation of the communication device from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode. The fact that a predetermined probe request has been received means that there is a wireless slave device to be connected to the communication device as the wireless master device in the communication environment in which the communication device is placed. Can be suitably realized.

Application Example 3 The communication apparatus according to Application Example 2, wherein the predetermined probe request is a probe request including identification information set in the communication apparatus.

  When the communication device configured as described above receives a probe request including identification information set in the communication device, the communication device switches from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode. When a request is transmitted, switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode can be suppressed against the user's intention.

[Application Example 4] The communication device according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 3, wherein the operation control unit is a device other than the communication device when the communication device is operating in the wireless slave device mode. A communication device that prohibits switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode when the presence of a wireless master device is detected.

  The communication device configured as described above prohibits switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode in a communication environment in which a wireless master device other than the communication device exists. In the wireless slave mode, the power consumption of the communication device is smaller than that in the wireless master mode, so that the power consumption of the communication device can be reduced with this configuration.

[Application Example 5] The communication device according to Application Example 4, wherein the operation control unit detects a communication state of the wireless master device even when the presence of a wireless master device other than the communication device is detected. When the communication state does not satisfy a predetermined standard, the communication device permits switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode.

  In the communication device having such a configuration, even when there is a wireless master device other than the communication device, if the communication state of the wireless master device does not satisfy the predetermined standard, the wireless slave device mode is changed to the wireless master device mode. Allow switching to. Therefore, even if the communication state of the wireless master device other than the communication device is not good, the wireless slave device other than the communication device can perform wireless communication in a good communication state using the communication device.

[Application Example 6] The communication apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 5, and further, when the communication apparatus is operating in the wireless master mode, communication is performed via the wireless LAN interface. A determination unit that determines, by a predetermined determination process, whether there is a wireless slave device other than the communication device for which the connection relationship is established, and the operation control unit is configured to operate the communication device in the wireless master mode. When the determination unit determines that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device with which the connection relationship is established, the operation of the communication device is changed from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode. Communication device to switch to.

  The communication device having such a configuration switches from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode when it is determined that there is no wireless slave device having a connection relationship established during operation in the wireless master device mode. Switching according to the communication environment can be suitably realized.

[Application Example 7] The communication apparatus according to Application Example 6, wherein the determination process includes a process for managing a state of establishment and cancellation of a connection relationship between the communication apparatus and a wireless slave unit other than the communication apparatus. The determination unit establishes a wireless connection other than the communication device when the state of establishment and release of the connection relationship to be managed is a state where there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device that is establishing the connection relationship. A communication device that determines that there is no slave.

  The communication device having such a configuration manages the status of establishment and release of the connection relationship between the communication device and the wireless slave device other than the communication device. Then, the communication device performs switching from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode when the status to be managed is such that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device that is establishing the connection relationship. Therefore, the communication device does not operate in the parent device mode in a situation where it is clear that there is no connected wireless slave device, and switching according to the communication environment can be suitably realized.

[Application Example 8] The communication apparatus according to Application Example 6 or Application Example 7, wherein the determination process includes a process of monitoring reception of the communication packet from a wireless slave unit other than the communication apparatus, and the determination unit Is a communication device that determines that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device when a communication packet has not been received from the wireless slave device other than the communication device for a predetermined time.

  When the communication device configured as described above does not receive a communication packet from a wireless slave device other than the communication device for a predetermined time during operation in the wireless master device mode, the communication device switches from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode. Switch. The fact that a communication packet has not been received from a wireless slave device other than the communication device for a predetermined time means that there is a high possibility that no wireless slave device capable of communication exists in the communication environment where the communication device is placed. Alternatively, since there is a low possibility that a communication packet is transmitted from a wireless slave device other than the communication device, switching according to the communication environment can be suitably realized. In addition, communication is not performed in order to determine whether or not there is a wireless slave unit, which is efficient.

[Application Example 9] The communication apparatus according to Application Example 6 or Application Example 7, wherein the determination process transmits a data frame to a wireless slave unit other than the communication apparatus via the wireless LAN interface, and transmits the data frame. A communication apparatus including a process of confirming a response to the data frame, wherein the determination unit determines that no wireless slave unit other than the communication apparatus exists when the response is not received.

  Since the communication device having such a configuration confirms the response to the data frame transmitted by the communication device and determines the presence / absence of a wireless slave device other than the communication device, the determination can be made with high accuracy.

Application Example 10 The communication device according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 9, further configured to be connectable to a secondary battery that supplies power to the communication device, and from the secondary battery to the power source When the communication device is operating in the wireless slave device mode, the operation control unit is configured to determine that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery has become a predetermined value or less. Is a communication device that prohibits switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode.

  The communication device configured as described above prohibits switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode when it is estimated that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery that supplies power to the communication device has become a predetermined value or less. In the wireless master mode, power consumption is larger than that in the wireless slave mode. With this configuration, the remaining capacity of the secondary battery can be suppressed and the communication device can be operated for a long time.

Application Example 11 The communication device according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 10, further including a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature inside or on a surface of the housing of the communication device, and the operation control unit includes: When the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined value when the communication device is operating in the wireless slave mode, switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode is prohibited. Communication device.

  The communication device having such a configuration prohibits switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode when the temperature inside or on the surface of the communication device casing becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In the wireless master mode, there is a high possibility that communication via the mobile communication network is performed. When communication is performed via the mobile communication network, the wireless LAN interface and the mobile communication interface that performs communication via the mobile communication network operate simultaneously, which may further increase the temperature of the communication device. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems due to the communication device becoming hot.

[Application Example 12] The communication apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 11, further including: a reception unit that receives a predetermined instruction; and the wireless LAN interface based on the received predetermined instruction. Setting information including information related to the setting of the wireless communication that has been received is transmitted to the wireless device different from the communication device by communication via the wireless LAN interface using a protocol executed between the wireless parent device and the wireless child device. A setting information providing unit provided to a machine, wherein the operation control unit is configured to receive the predetermined instruction when the receiving unit receives the predetermined instruction when the communication device is operating in the wireless slave mode. A communication device that switches the operation of the communication device from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode.

  When the communication device configured as described above receives a predetermined instruction for providing setting information from the wireless master device to the wireless slave device using a protocol executed between the wireless master device and the wireless slave device, Since switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode is performed, switching according to the communication environment can be suitably realized even in a communication environment in which setting information is to be set in the wireless slave device using the protocol.

[Application Example 13] The communication apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 12, wherein the operation of the communication apparatus includes a server operation as a DHCP server, and the wireless master mode includes the server operation A communication device that can be controlled.

  Since the communication device having such a configuration can operate as a DHCP server in the wireless master mode, an IP address can be assigned to a wireless slave device other than the communication device. Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the IP address of the wireless slave device, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[Application Example 14] The communication device according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 13, wherein the operation of the communication device includes a client operation as a DHCP client, and the wireless slave device mode includes the client operation A communication device that can be controlled.

  Since the communication device having such a configuration can operate as a DHCP client in the wireless slave mode, if a device having a DHCP server function exists in a communication environment in which the communication device is placed so as to be communicable, An IP address can be assigned from the device. Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the IP address of the communication device that operates as a wireless slave unit, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[Application Example 15] The communication device according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 14, wherein the operation in the wireless slave device mode is configured to be able to transmit a beacon, and the operation control unit includes the communication device When operating in the wireless slave device mode and receiving a predetermined frame for establishing the wireless communication connection relationship via the wireless LAN interface, the operation of the communication device is changed to the wireless slave device. A communication device for switching from the device mode to the wireless master device mode.

  When the communication device configured as described above transmits a beacon during operation in the wireless slave device mode and receives a predetermined frame for establishing a wireless communication connection relationship, the wireless slave device mode changes to the wireless master device mode. Switch. Therefore, even in a communication environment where there is a wireless slave device to be connected to a communication device as a wireless master device, and the wireless slave device searches for the wireless master device by passive scan, switching according to the communication environment is suitably realized. can do.

[Application Example 16] The communication apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 15, further including a mobile data communication control circuit, and further including a mobile communication interface for performing communication via the mobile communication network.

  Since the communication device having such a configuration includes a mobile communication interface, the user does not need to prepare a separate mobile communication interface, and the convenience for the user is improved.

[Application Example 17] Any one of Application Examples 1 to 15, further including a mobile data communication control circuit and including a connection interface connectable to a mobile communication interface that performs communication via the mobile communication network. The communication device described.

  Since the communication device having such a configuration includes a connection interface that can be connected to the mobile communication interface, communication via the mobile communication network can be performed by connecting the mobile communication interface to the connection interface. In addition, when a plurality of mobile communication interfaces are prepared, it is possible to use different mobile communication networks of different carriers according to the usage environment, which improves user convenience.

In addition to the above-described communication apparatus, the present invention may be a communication control program used for the communication apparatus, a storage medium storing the program, an operation control method for the communication apparatus according to Application Example 18, an operation control method for the wireless LAN interface, and the like. Can be realized. Of course, the configurations of Application Examples 2 to 16 can be added to these implementations.
Application Example 18 A communication device operation control method for controlling the operation of a communication device capable of wireless LAN communication using a wireless LAN interface and mobile data communication, wherein the wireless LAN interface is used as a wireless slave unit. When the wireless slave mode that operates and the wireless master mode that causes the wireless LAN interface to operate as a wireless master device are autonomously switched according to the communication environment and operate in the wireless master device mode, the mobile unit An operation control method for relaying communication and the wireless LAN communication.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage example of the portable communication apparatus 20 as an Example of this invention. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile communication device 20. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation mode switching process (during a slave mode operation) in the mobile communication device 20; 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation mode switching processing (during parent device mode operation) in the mobile communication device 20; 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the operation mode switching process (at the time of parent device mode operation) in the mobile communication device 20; It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the mobile communication apparatus 420 as 2nd Example. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation mode switching processing (during slave mode operation) in portable communication device 420.

A. First embodiment:
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A-1. Configuration of mobile communication device 20:
An example of use of the portable communication device 20 as an embodiment of the communication device of the present invention is shown in FIG. The portable communication device 20 is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) as a data terminal. The mobile communication device 20 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to realize wireless communication via a mobile communication network and wireless communication based on a wireless LAN. The portable communication device 20 can operate in two operation modes, a wireless slave device mode and a wireless master device mode, in wireless communication conforming to the wireless LAN. The portable communication device 20 can be used in two types depending on the difference in the operation mode.

  A first usage example of the mobile communication device 20 is shown in FIG. The first usage example is a method of using the mobile communication device 20 when the mobile communication device 20 operates in the wireless slave mode. As shown in the figure, the mobile communication device 20 that operates in the wireless slave mode performs wireless communication based on a wireless LAN with an access point AP as a wireless master device as a wireless slave device. This access point AP is connected to the router RT, and is further connected to the Internet INT as an external network via an ISP (not shown). In addition, the mobile communication device 20 can be connected to the Internet INT via the base station BS by wireless communication using a mobile communication network. Note that, in the first usage example, the terminal TE as a wireless slave shown in the figure is shown as a dotted line that is not used, but the terminal TE may communicate with the access point AP. In this case, the mobile communication device 20 and the terminal TE can perform wireless communication via the access point AP.

  A second usage example of the mobile communication device 20 is shown in FIG. The second usage example is a method of using the mobile communication device 20 when the mobile communication device 20 operates in the wireless master device mode. As shown in the figure, the mobile communication device 20 that operates in the wireless master mode performs wireless communication in accordance with a wireless LAN as a wireless master device (access point) with a terminal TE as a wireless slave device. In addition, the mobile communication device 20 can be connected to the Internet INT via the base station BS by wireless communication using a mobile communication network. Here, the mobile communication device 20 has a bridge function, and can relay communication via a wireless LAN and a mobile data communication network. Therefore, the terminal TE can be connected to the Internet INT via the mobile communication device 20 and the base station BS. In the second usage example, the illustrated access point AP and router RT are in an environment that does not exist, and these are indicated by dotted lines. Further, there may be a plurality of terminals TE that are communicably connected to the mobile communication device 20 that operates in the wireless master mode.

  A schematic configuration of the mobile communication device 20 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the mobile communication device 20 includes a CPU 30, a flash ROM 41, a RAM 42, a mobile communication interface 50, a wireless LAN interface 60, a display 70, a mode switch 71, a temperature detection unit 80, and a detection circuit 91. They are connected to each other by a bus. In addition, the mobile communication device 20 includes a power reception unit 90.

  The mobile communication interface 50 is a control circuit for performing wireless data communication with a base station BS of a mobile communication network as a terminal, and includes hardware such as a modulator, an amplifier, and an antenna. The mobile communication interface 50 is built in the mobile communication device 20 in a state where radio waves can be transmitted to the outside and radio waves from the outside can be received. In this embodiment, the mobile communication interface 50 is configured to be able to implement only data communication, but may be configured to be capable of using voice communication together. In this embodiment, the mobile communication interface 50 is configured in conformity with 3G / HSPA (High Speed Packet Access). The standard for mobile data communication is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.16m, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, etc. instead of 3G / HSPA. .

  The wireless LAN interface 60 is a control circuit for performing wireless communication conforming to the wireless LAN, and includes hardware such as a modulator, an amplifier, and an antenna. The wireless LAN interface 60 is built in the mobile communication device 20 in a state in which radio waves can be transmitted to the outside and received from the outside. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN interface 60 is configured in conformity with IEEE 802.11. The wireless LAN interface 60 operates exclusively as a wireless slave device or a wireless master device under the control of software executed by the CPU 30.

  In this embodiment, the display 70 is a liquid crystal display. The display 70 according to the present embodiment is a touch panel display and also serves as an input unit.

  The CPU 30 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication device 20 by developing a program such as firmware stored in the flash ROM 41 in the RAM 42 and executing it. The CPU 30 also functions as a wireless communication control unit 31, a mobile communication control unit 32, an operation control unit 33, and a determination unit 34 by executing a predetermined program. The wireless communication control unit 31 controls wireless communication using the wireless LAN interface 60. The mobile communication control unit 32 controls wireless communication using the mobile communication interface 50. In other words, the mobile communication control unit 32 controls data exchange via the mobile communication network. The operation control unit 33 performs communication in which the mobile communication device 20 is placed in a wireless slave mode in which the wireless LAN interface 60 operates as a wireless slave and a wireless master mode in which the wireless LAN interface 60 operates as a wireless master. Control that switches autonomously according to the environment (also called operation mode switching processing) is performed. Details of the operation mode switching process will be described later. When the mobile communication device 20 is operating in the wireless master mode, the determination unit 34 determines whether or not there is a wireless slave device other than the mobile communication device 20 for which a communication connection via the wireless LAN interface 60 has been established. Is determined by a predetermined process (hereinafter also referred to as a determination process).

  The wireless slave mode is an operation mode in which the wireless LAN interface 60 is operated as a wireless slave. The CPU 30 realizes wireless communication with the access point AP when performing control in the wireless slave mode. At this time, the CPU 30 can also communicate with the base station BS via the mobile communication interface 50. That is, the user of the mobile communication device 20 operates a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the display 70 to access the Internet INT using the mobile communication network, and through the access point AP and the router RT. Access to the Internet INT can be selectively realized. Of course, it is also possible to access the Internet INT through both routes simultaneously.

  In the wireless slave mode, the CPU 30 is configured to be operable as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) client. Therefore, in the communication environment in which the mobile communication device 20 operates in the wireless slave mode, if a wireless device having a DHCP server function exists in a communicable manner, for example, if the access point AP has a DHCP function, An IP address can be assigned from the wireless device. Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the IP address of the mobile communication device 20 operating as a wireless slave device, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  The wireless master mode is an operation mode in which the wireless LAN interface 60 is operated as a wireless master. When performing control in the wireless master mode, the CPU 30 performs a relay operation of communication packets transmitted by the wireless slave as a wireless master. At this time, the CPU 30 can also communicate with the base station BS via the mobile communication interface 50. Further, at this time, the CPU 30 executes a predetermined program, thereby realizing a bridge function and relaying communication packets via the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60. That is, the CPU 30 performs a predetermined format conversion on the communication packet received by the wireless LAN interface 60 and transfers the communication packet to the mobile communication interface 50 side. Also, the CPU 30 converts the communication packet received by the wireless LAN interface 60 to a predetermined format. The data is converted and transferred to the wireless LAN interface 60 side. Therefore, the user of the mobile communication device 20 can operate the display 70 to access the Internet INT using the mobile communication network, and at the same time, the user of the terminal TE can access the mobile communication device 20 and the base station. The Internet INT can be accessed via the station BS.

  In the present embodiment, in the wireless master mode, the CPU 30 can realize a router function. This router function includes a DHCP server function. That is, the CPU 30 is configured to be operable as a DHCP server in the wireless master mode, and can assign an IP address to a wireless slave device other than the mobile communication device 20, for example, the terminal TE. Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the IP address of the wireless slave device, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  The mode changeover switch 71 is a manual switch for the user to instruct whether the mobile communication device 20 operates in the wireless slave device mode or the wireless master device mode. In this embodiment, the mode changeover switch 71 is configured as a slide switch capable of selectively inputting any one of “automatic”, “wireless slave mode”, and “wireless master mode” as the operation mode of the mobile communication device 20. ing. When “automatic” is selected by the mode switch 71, the CPU 30 autonomously switches its operation mode by an operation mode switching process described later. On the other hand, when “wireless slave device mode” or “wireless master device mode” is selected, the CPU 30 does not perform the operation mode switching process, and performs the operation in the selected operation mode in a fixed manner. .

  The temperature detection unit 80 includes a temperature sensor (here, a thermistor) that detects the temperature inside or on the surface of the casing of the mobile communication device 20. The temperature detector 80 converts the analog output voltage of the thermistor into a digital signal and outputs it to the CPU 30. Note that the temperature detection unit 80 does not necessarily output the output voltage of the thermistor to the CPU 30, and may output a predetermined signal to the CPU 30 when the temperature detected by the thermistor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. That is, the temperature detection unit 80 only needs to detect that the detected temperature has reached a predetermined value or more. In the present embodiment, the temperature detection unit 80 is installed in the vicinity of the power supply reception unit 90 inside the casing of the mobile communication device 20.

  The power reception unit 90 is a battery box configured to be connectable to a secondary battery 92 that supplies power to the mobile communication device 20. When the secondary battery 92 is accommodated, the power reception unit 90 receives the power of the mobile communication device 20 from the secondary battery 92 and supplies it to each unit of the mobile communication device 20. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the secondary battery 92 is accommodated in the power reception unit 90. However, the power source of the mobile communication device 20 may be a commercial power source or the like. A detection circuit 91 is connected to the power reception unit 90. The detection circuit 91 is a circuit that digitally converts the analog output voltage of the secondary battery 92 accommodated in the power reception unit 90 and outputs it to the CPU 30. The power reception unit 90 does not necessarily output the output voltage of the secondary battery 92 to the CPU 30, and outputs a predetermined signal to the CPU 30 when the output voltage of the secondary battery 92 becomes a predetermined value or less. May be. That is, the detection circuit 91 only needs to be able to detect that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 has become a predetermined value or less.

A-2. Operation mode switching processing:
An operation mode switching process executed in the mobile communication device 20 will be described. In this embodiment, the CPU 30 defaults to the operation in the wireless slave mode. In other words, when the user operates the GUI displayed on the display 70 to activate the wireless LAN interface 60 while the mode switch 71 is set to “automatic”, the CPU 30 causes the wireless LAN interface 60 to be wirelessly connected. Operate in slave mode. Thereafter, the CPU 30 performs control to autonomously switch between the wireless slave device mode and the wireless master device mode according to the communication environment in which the mobile communication device 20 is placed by the operation mode switching process. This operation mode switching process is executed as a process of the operation control unit 33 unless otherwise specified. Hereinafter, the flow of the operation mode switching process will be described separately for the case where the wireless LAN interface 60 operates in the wireless slave mode and the case where the wireless LAN interface 60 operates in the wireless master mode.

A-2-1. When operating in wireless handset mode:
FIG. 3 shows the flow of operation mode switching processing when the wireless LAN interface 60 is operating in the wireless slave device mode. This process is started at the same time when the CPU 30 of the mobile communication device 20 starts control in the wireless slave mode. As illustrated, when control in the wireless slave mode is started, the CPU 30 monitors a beacon transmitted by a wireless master other than the mobile communication device 20 (step S110).

  If the beacon is received as a result of the beacon monitoring, that is, if the existence of the wireless master device can be confirmed (step S120: YES), the CPU 30 monitors the beacon until it cannot receive the beacon. This process means that switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode is prohibited when there is a wireless master device other than the portable communication device 20 in the communication environment where the portable communication device 20 is placed. To do. In this configuration, when there is a wireless master device other than the mobile communication device 20, relay processing for wireless LAN communication of the terminal TE is preferentially performed on the wireless master device over the mobile communication device 20. It is to make it.

  On the other hand, if the beacon cannot be received, that is, if the presence of the wireless master device cannot be confirmed (step S120: NO), the CPU 30 determines that the wireless slave device other than the portable communication device 20, that is, the terminal TE, only for a predetermined period. It waits for reception of a probe request to be transmitted (step S130). As a result, if no probe request is received (step S130: NO), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if a probe request is received within a predetermined period (step S130: YES), there is a terminal TE that is desired to be connected to the wireless master device in the communication environment where the mobile communication device 20 is placed. Therefore, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the SSID (Service Set Identifier) included in the received probe request is the SSID of the own device (step S140). In this embodiment, the user registers the SSID of the mobile communication device 20 as the wireless master device in advance in the terminal TE.

  If the SSID is not the SSID of the own device as a result of the determination (step S140: NO), for example, if the SSID is an SSID or ANY different from the SSID of the own device, the wireless slave device that has transmitted the probe request is This means that the terminal TE is not scheduled to be connected to the mobile communication device 20 as a wireless master device. Therefore, the CPU 30 ignores this probe request and returns the process to step S130. In this way, by limiting the probe request that triggers switching of the operation mode to a predetermined one in step S170 described later, when a probe request is transmitted from a wireless slave device that is not intended by the user, the user's intention On the other hand, switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, if the SSID is the SSID of the own device (step S140: YES), the wireless slave device that has transmitted the probe request is the terminal TE that the user plans to connect to the mobile communication device 20, and the user Is desiring to establish a connection relationship with the mobile communication device 20. Therefore, the CPU 30 further determines whether or not the output voltage of the secondary battery 92 detected by the detection circuit 91 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (step S150). This determination is to determine whether or not the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92, that is, the amount of available power storage is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Since the output voltage of the secondary battery 92 decreases as the remaining capacity of the secondary battery decreases, it can be determined that the remaining capacity has become less than or equal to the predetermined value when the output voltage becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value.

  As a result of the determination, if the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is equal to or less than the predetermined value (step S150: YES), the CPU 30 returns the process to step S130. This process means that when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode is prohibited in step S170 described later. In the wireless master unit mode, when the terminal TE accesses the Internet INT, the mobile communication device 20 simultaneously operates the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60 in the mobile communication device 20, so that the terminal TE is more effective than the wireless slave device mode. Power consumption tends to increase. Further, when the mobile communication device 20 transmits a beacon in the wireless master mode, the power consumption is further increased. As described above, when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 is low, the switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode is prohibited, so that the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 is suppressed from being exhausted. The portable communication device 20 can be operated for a long time.

  On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is larger than the predetermined value (step S150: NO), the CPU 30 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detector 80 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S160). . As a result, if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S160: YES), the CPU 30 returns the process to step S130. This process means that when the temperature inside the casing of the mobile communication device 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode is prohibited in step S170 described later. To do. In the wireless master mode, when the terminal TE accesses the Internet INT, the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60 are simultaneously operated in the mobile communication device 20, so that the amount of heat generation increases. The housing internal temperature of the mobile communication device 20 tends to be higher than in the wireless slave mode. As described above, when the temperature inside the casing of the mobile communication device 20 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the mobile communication device 20 is excessively hot if the switch from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode is prohibited. Can be suppressed. As a result, occurrence of problems due to high temperatures can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, the main purpose of this configuration is to suppress the performance deterioration of the secondary battery 92 due to high temperature by installing the temperature detection unit 80 in the vicinity of the power supply reception unit 90. However, the problem to be suppressed is not limited to the performance deterioration of the secondary battery 92, and may be prevention of thermal runaway of the CPU 30, for example. What is necessary is just to set suitably the installation location of the temperature detection part 80 according to the objective. Of course, a plurality of temperature detectors 80 may be provided.

  On the other hand, if the detected temperature is lower than the predetermined value (step S160: NO), CPU 30 switches the operation mode from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode (step S170). Then, the CPU 30 transmits a probe response to the terminal TE as a response to the received probe request, and further establishes a connection relationship with the terminal TE (step S180). Thereafter, the CPU 30 operates the wireless LAN interface 60 as a wireless master device, and performs a relay operation for communication packets transmitted by the terminal TE. Thus, the operation mode change process when operating in the wireless slave device mode is completed.

  In the operation mode changing process described above, processes other than steps S130, S170, and S180 can be omitted as appropriate. Further, a configuration in which the CPU 30 periodically transmits a beacon during operation in the wireless slave mode may be added. In this case, the CPU 30 may be configured to switch from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode even when a predetermined frame for establishing a wireless communication connection relationship is received. Examples of the predetermined frame include an association request and an authentication. In this way, even when the terminal TE searches for the wireless master device by passive scanning and wants to connect to the mobile communication device 20 as the wireless master device, the operation mode can be suitably switched. When the authentication is received and switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode is performed, the authentication may be limited to the shared key type authentication. In this way, the terminal TE not intended by the user and the mobile communication device 20 are not connected. However, the authentication may include an open system type authentication.

A-2-2. When operating in wireless master mode:
FIG. 4 shows the flow of the operation mode switching process when the wireless LAN interface 60 is operating in the wireless master mode. This process is started at the same time when the CPU 30 of the mobile communication device 20 starts control in the wireless master mode. As shown in the figure, when the control in the wireless master mode is started, the CPU 30 starts measuring the elapsed time after receiving the communication packet via the wireless LAN interface 60 (step S210). The elapsed time to be measured is reset every time the mobile communication device 20 receives a communication packet via the wireless LAN interface 60.

  When the measurement of the elapsed time is started, the CPU 30 checks the associate list as a process of the determination unit 34 (step S220). The association list is a list for managing the state of establishment and release of the connection relationship between the mobile communication device 20 and a wireless slave device (here, the terminal TE) other than the mobile communication device 20. In the present embodiment, the CPU 30 manages the status of establishment and cancellation of the connection relationship with the terminal TE as one of the determination processes using this association list. Specifically, when mobile communication device 20 receives an association request from terminal TE and establishes a connection relationship with terminal TE, CPU 30 registers the MAC address of terminal TE in the association list. Further, when the disassociation request is received from the terminal TE for which the connection relationship has been established and the connection relationship with the terminal TE is canceled, the CPU 30 deletes the MAC address of the terminal TE from the association list.

  When checking the association list, the CPU 30 determines whether or not there is a terminal TE that is a wireless slave unit that is establishing a connection relationship based on the check result (step S230). As a result, if there is no terminal TE that is establishing a connection relationship (step S230: NO), it is not necessary to operate the mobile communication device 20 as a wireless master device, so the CPU 30 changes the operation mode from the wireless master device mode. Switch to the wireless slave mode (step S280). Thereafter, the CPU 30 operates the wireless LAN interface 60 as a wireless slave device.

  On the other hand, if there is a terminal TE that has established a connection relationship (step S230: YES), the terminal TE may perform wireless communication with the mobile communication device 20 that operates as a wireless master device. However, the terminal TE does not always transmit a disassociation request to the mobile communication device 20 when wireless communication with the mobile communication device 20 is not performed. Therefore, as will be described below, the CPU 30 further confirms the existence of the terminal TE by active detection as one of the determination processes.

  Specifically, CPU 30 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last received communication packet (step S240). The last received communication packet is the last received communication packet among all the communication packets received from each terminal TE when a plurality of terminals TE are connected to the CPU 30 via a wireless LAN. As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S220: NO), the CPU 30 returns the process to step S220. This process is performed in order to suppress an increase in the traffic due to the process of step S250 described later, and can be omitted.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S240: YES), the CPU 30 transmits null data to the terminal TE as processing of the determination unit 34 (step S250). When there is a communicable terminal TE, the terminal TE transmits null data and transmits an ACK (ACKnowledgement) frame to the mobile communication device 20 as a response. When the null data is transmitted, the CPU 30 determines whether or not an ACK frame transmitted from the terminal TE has been received as processing of the determination unit 34 (step S260). The processes in steps S250 and S260 are executed as one of the determination processes. If the CPU 30 receives the ACK frame, it means that the terminal TE exists so as to be communicable, and if it does not receive the ACK frame, it means that no terminal TE capable of communication exists.

  If the result of the determination is that an ACK frame is received (step S260: YES), this means that the terminal TE exists in a communicable manner, so that the terminal TE is likely to transmit a communication packet to the mobile communication device 20 thereafter. Therefore, CPU30 resets the measurement time which started the measurement at the said step S210 (step S270), and returns a process to step S210. This means that the CPU 30 maintains control in the wireless master mode. In this way, although the user desires to operate in the wireless master mode, the operation mode is not switched only by accidentally increasing the transmission interval of communication packets.

  On the other hand, if the ACK frame is not received (step S260: NO), there is no terminal TE that can communicate, and thereafter, the terminal TE is not scheduled to transmit a communication packet to the mobile communication device 20, so the CPU 30 Switches the operation mode from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode (step S280). In this way, the operation mode change process when operating in the wireless master mode ends.

  In the operation mode change process described above, the mobile communication device 20 transmits null data and confirms the response, thereby confirming the existence of the terminal TE by active detection. Can be transmitted and the response can be confirmed. For example, instead of or in addition to null data, an echo request using ping may be transmitted. When the terminal TE receives the echo request, the terminal TE transmits an echo reply as a response. Therefore, when the CPU 30 receives the echo reply, the terminal TE exists so as to be communicable, and if it does not receive the echo reply, the terminal TE Can be determined not to be communicable. As described above, by performing active detection, it is possible to accurately check the survival of the terminal TE.

  In such an active detection, the CPU 30 may determine that the terminal TE is communicable if it transmits null data or an echo request a plurality of times and receives a response even once. Alternatively, if both null data and an echo request are transmitted and there is at least one response, it may be determined that the terminal TE exists so as to be communicable. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the presence / absence of the terminal TE.

A-3. The mobile communication device 20 having such a configuration includes the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60 that operates exclusively as a wireless slave device or a wireless master device, and switches between the wireless slave device mode and the wireless master device mode. Control. Therefore, when performing control of the wireless slave mode, the mobile communication device 20 can communicate with the terminal TE via the access point AP. If the access point AP is connected to the Internet INT, the mobile communication device 20 can also access the Internet INT via the access point AP. Further, the mobile communication device 20 can access the Internet INT by communication via the mobile communication interface 50. In addition, when performing control in the wireless master mode, the mobile communication device 20 can communicate with the Internet INT by communication via the mobile communication interface 50, and can be used as a wireless master for the terminal TE. Thus, the terminal TE can communicate with the Internet INT by communication via the mobile communication interface 50.

  Therefore, when the user of the mobile communication device 20 and the user of the terminal TE are the same and the user wants to access the Internet INT from the terminal TE, the user can connect the Internet INT from the terminal TE via the mobile communication device 20. Can be accessed. Further, when the user of the mobile communication device 20 and the user of the terminal TE are not the same and the user of the mobile communication device 20 does not use the wireless LAN function of the mobile communication device 20, the user of the terminal TE is used. It is possible to access the Internet INT from the terminal TE by effectively utilizing the wireless LAN function of the mobile communication device 20 that is not. Moreover, since the mobile communication device 20 autonomously switches between the wireless slave mode and the wireless master mode according to the communication environment, the user can save time and effort to switch between the wireless slave mode and the wireless master mode. Improves.

  In addition, when the mobile communication device 20 receives a predetermined probe request during the operation in the wireless slave device mode, the mobile communication device 20 switches the operation of the mobile communication device 20 from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode. The fact that the predetermined probe request has been received means that in the communication environment where the mobile communication device 20 is placed, there is a terminal TE that is desired to be connected to the mobile communication device 20 as a wireless master device. The corresponding switching can be suitably realized.

  The mobile communication device 20 prohibits switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode in a communication environment in which an access point AP that is a wireless master device other than the mobile communication device 20 exists. In the wireless slave device mode, it is not necessary to transmit a beacon, and the power consumption of the communication device is smaller than that in the wireless master device mode. Therefore, the power consumption of the portable communication device 20 can be reduced with this configuration. As a result, the limited capacity of the secondary battery as the power source of the mobile communication device 20 can be effectively utilized. Even in this case, since the terminal TE can perform wireless communication based on the wireless LAN with the access point AP, there is no problem for the user. Further, when the mobile communication device 20 executes the operation mode switching process, the default operation mode is set to the wireless slave device mode, so that the power consumption of the mobile communication device 20 can be reduced.

B. Second embodiment:
A communication apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of the mobile communication device 20 as the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The portable communication device 20 as the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the flow of the operation mode change process when operating as the wireless master mode. Hereinafter, only these different points will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, processes having the same contents as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4, and the description is simplified.

  As shown in the figure, when the control in the wireless base unit mode is started, the CPU 30 starts measuring the elapsed time after reception of the communication packet via the wireless LAN interface 60, and performs communication as one of the determination processes. The reception of the packet is monitored (step S210). And CPU30 checks an associate list as a process of the judgment part 34 (step S220). When the association list is checked, the CPU 30 determines whether or not there is a terminal TE that is a wireless slave unit that is establishing a connection relationship (step S230). As a result, if there is no terminal TE that has established a connection relationship (step S230: NO), the CPU 30 switches the operation mode from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode (step S280).

  On the other hand, if there is a terminal TE that is establishing a connection relationship (step S230: YES), the CPU 30 confirms the existence of the terminal TE by passive detection. Specifically, the CPU 30 determines, as processing of the determination unit 34, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last received communication packet (step S320). The last received communication packet is the last received communication packet among all the communication packets received from each terminal TE when a plurality of terminals TE are connected to the CPU 30 via a wireless LAN. As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S320: NO), the CPU 30 returns the process to step S220. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed (step S320: YES), there is a high possibility that no terminal TE capable of communication exists in the communication environment where the mobile communication device 20 is placed. Therefore, the CPU 30 switches the operation mode from the wireless master device mode to the wireless slave device mode (step S280). In this way, the operation mode change process when operating in the wireless master mode ends.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the second embodiment, the reception status of the communication packet is monitored, and based on the reception interval of the received communication packet, the existence confirmation of the terminal TE is performed by passive detection. According to such a configuration, the process can be simplified and more efficient than when active detection is performed. Moreover, since the amount of communication using the wireless LAN interface 60 can be reduced, the communication load is reduced.

C. Third embodiment:
A portable communication device 420 as a third embodiment of the communication device of the present invention will be described. The difference between the portable communication device 420 and the first embodiment is the configuration of the portable communication device 420 and the flow of the operation mode switching process when operating in the wireless slave mode. Hereinafter, the portable communication device 420 will be described only with respect to differences from the first embodiment, and description of common points will be omitted. A schematic configuration of a mobile communication device 420 as a third embodiment is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The portable communication device 420 is different from the first embodiment in that the CPU 430 also functions as the accepting unit 435 and the setting information providing unit 436 and that it includes an automatic setting switch 475. Functions of the receiving unit 435 and the setting information providing unit 436 will be described later.

  The automatic setting switch 475 is a manual for giving an instruction to start the operation of AOSS (AirStation One-Touch Secure System, a registered trademark of Buffalo Co., Ltd.) that automatically sets the setting information regarding the setting of wireless communication using the wireless LAN interface 60. Switch. In AOSS, when a user gives a predetermined activation instruction to the wireless master device and the wireless slave device, an asymmetric protocol is executed between the wireless master device and the wireless slave device, and the wireless master device is connected to the network by wireless LAN communication. This is a mechanism for providing setting information such as device encryption and authentication to the wireless slave unit. Since AOSS is a well-known technique, a detailed description is omitted, but the wireless master device shifts to a setting request standby state upon receiving an AOSS activation instruction. On the other hand, when receiving the AOSS activation instruction, the wireless slave device transmits a setting request to the wireless master device. When receiving the setting request in the standby state for the setting request, the wireless master device performs wireless LAN communication with the wireless slave device and provides setting information to the wireless slave device. The wireless slave device sets the provided setting information in its own device, and establishes a connection relationship with the wireless master device.

  The automatic setting switch 475 may be an interface for automatically setting the setting information. For example, when the CPU 30 can realize the WPS function, the automatic setting switch 475 may be a WPS switch. Further, instead of the automatic setting switch 475, a configuration in which an activation instruction is given by a GUI displayed on the display 70 may be used.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of operation mode switching processing executed in the portable communication device 420 when operating in the wireless slave mode. As shown in the figure, when the operation mode switching process is started, the CPU 430 of the mobile communication device 420 first determines whether or not an AOSS activation instruction has been accepted as the process of the accepting unit 435, that is, the automatic setting switch 475 has been set by the user. It is determined whether or not the button has been pressed (step S510). This process is continuously performed until an AOSS activation instruction is received (step S510: NO). Then, when an AOSS activation instruction is accepted (step S510: YES), the CPU 430 switches the operation mode from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode as a process of the operation control unit 33 (step S520).

  When the operation mode is switched, the CPU 430 receives the setting request transmitted from the terminal TE that has received the AOSS activation instruction, and performs wireless communication using the wireless LAN interface 60 as processing of the setting information providing unit 436 to the terminal TE. Setting information is provided (step S530). Thus, the operation mode change process when operating in the wireless slave device mode is completed. Of course, such an operation mode change process may be executed in parallel with the operation mode change process of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  The mobile communication device 420 having such a configuration automatically provides setting information from the mobile communication device 420 as the wireless master device to the terminal TE as the wireless slave device by AOSS or the like, and performs the wireless communication setting of the terminal TE. Even in a desired communication environment, switching according to the communication environment can be suitably realized.

A modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.
D: Modified example:
D-1. Modification 1:
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60 are provided separately from the CPU 30 has been described, but at least one of these may be built in the CPU 30. Such a configuration is known as WiSoC (Wireless System on a Chip). In the above-described embodiment, the mobile communication device 20 includes the mobile communication interface 50. However, the mobile communication device 20 does not necessarily include the mobile communication interface 50. An interface connectable to the body communication interface 50 may be provided. Various interfaces such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and SDIO (Secure Digital Input / Output) can be used as such an interface. Even if a data communication card capable of mobile data communication, such as a USB modem with a built-in modem, is connected to such an interface, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, if the mobile communication interface 50 is detachable, it is only necessary to connect a desired mobile communication interface 50 when it is desired to use a mobile communication network provided by each of a plurality of carriers, thereby improving convenience. To do. In addition, when a mobile communication interface 50 capable of performing higher-speed communication than existing products is introduced into the market, and it is desired to use this, it is sufficient to replace only the mobile communication interface 50, and it is necessary to replace the mobile communication device 20. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved and the resource is saved.

D-2. Modification 2:
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which each process in the operation mode switching process is fixedly performed has been described. However, the content of the operation mode switching process may be changed depending on the situation. For example, when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 is a predetermined value or less, the processing may be switched to the power saving mode. As the processing in the power saving mode, for example, the predetermined time in step S220 or step S320 may be set to be changed relatively short. In this way, the time during which the mobile communication device 20 is operating in the wireless master mode can be relatively shortened, so the period for transmitting the beacon is shortened, and the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60 are connected. The period of simultaneous operation is shortened, and power saving can be achieved. Alternatively, as a process in the power saving mode, a configuration in which beacon transmission is prohibited during operation in the wireless master mode may be employed. Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which a beacon is transmitted during operation in the wireless slave mode, a configuration in which transmission of the beacon is prohibited may be employed as processing in the power saving mode. Of course, switching to the power saving mode may be performed manually by using a GUI displayed on the display 70 or the like.

D-3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 becomes a predetermined value or less, or when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 80 becomes a predetermined value or more, the wireless slave mode is changed to the wireless master device. Although the configuration for prohibiting switching to the mode is shown, in addition to or instead of this configuration, when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 becomes a predetermined value or less during the operation in the wireless master mode, When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 80 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the wireless master mode may be forcibly switched to the wireless slave mode.

D-4. Modification 4:
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration for determining the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 92 from the output voltage of the secondary battery 92 has been described. However, the method for determining the remaining capacity is not particularly limited. For example, a sensor that physically or optically detects the storage of the secondary battery 92 is provided in the power receiving unit 90 that stores the secondary battery 92, and the operation time after the secondary battery 92 is newly stored is measured. A configuration may be adopted in which the amount of power stored in the secondary battery 92 can be estimated from the operation time. When adopting the configuration inferred from the operation time in this way, the operation time in the wireless master device mode and the operation time in the wireless slave device mode are separately measured and the secondary battery 92 can be used. The amount of power storage may be estimated. In this way, the power consumption is greatly different between the wireless master mode and the wireless slave mode, so that the estimation accuracy of the available power storage amount can be improved.

D-5. Modification 5:
In the operation mode switching process shown in FIG. 3, when there is a wireless master device other than the mobile communication device 20, the configuration for prohibiting switching from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device mode is shown. The configuration can also be modified. For example, even when a wireless master device other than the mobile communication device 20 is detected by receiving a beacon, if the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the beacon is lower than a predetermined value, the wireless master device can start from the wireless slave device mode. It may be configured to allow switching to the machine mode. Alternatively, when a wireless master device other than the mobile communication device 20 is detected by receiving a beacon, establishing a connection relationship with the wireless master device and transmitting a predetermined number of communication packets to the wireless master device Thus, the PER (Packet Error Rate) may be measured, and when the PER is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, switching from the wireless slave mode to the wireless master mode may be permitted. As described above, the mobile communication device 20 determines the detected communication state of the wireless parent device, and switches the wireless child device mode to the wireless parent device mode when the communication state of the wireless parent device is not good. If the configuration is allowed, the terminal TE can perform wireless communication using the terminal TE in a good communication state.

D-6. Modification 6:
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the mobile communication device 20 is illustrated as an example of the communication device of the present invention. However, the communication device of the present invention may be various communication devices such as notebook personal computers and mobile routers. It can be realized as a device, a mobile phone or the like. In particular, when the communication device of the present invention is realized as a mobile phone, convenience for the user is improved. Specifically, since mobile phones are owned and carried by everyone in recent years, users who use information processing devices equipped only with wireless slave functions as communication means can carry even mobile phones. For example, it is possible to access the Internet INT from any place where the mobile communication network can be used by using the information processing apparatus and the mobile phone without separately carrying a special apparatus.

  In addition, these communication apparatuses may include an interface other than the mobile communication interface 50 and the wireless LAN interface 60. For example, the communication device may be configured as an Ethernet (Ethernet is a registered trademark) converter that includes a wired LAN interface and relays communication packets via the wired LAN interface and the wireless LAN interface 60. In such a case, if an input / output device for various data such as video data and audio data is connected to the wired LAN interface, the terminal TE can input / output various data to / from the device connected to the wired LAN interface via the communication device. It can be performed. Alternatively, the communication device may include a USB interface. In this case, if a storage device such as a portable hard disk drive is connected to the USB interface, the terminal TE can input / output data to / from the storage device.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, elements other than the element described in the independent claim among the components of this invention in embodiment mentioned above are additional elements, and are suitably abbreviate | omitted or combined. Is possible. In addition, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be realized as a communication apparatus, a communication control program used for the communication apparatus, a storage medium storing the program, a wireless LAN interface operation control method, and the like.

20,420 ... portable terminal 30,430 ... CPU
31 ... Wireless communication control unit 32 ... Mobile communication control unit 33 ... Operation control unit 34 ... Judgment unit 41 ... Flash ROM
42 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Mobile communication interface 60 ... Wireless LAN interface 70 ... Display 71 ... Mode change switch 80 ... Temperature detection part 90 ... Power supply reception part 91 ... Detection circuit 92 ... Secondary battery 435 ... Reception part 436 ... Setting information provision part 475 ... Automatic setting switch TE ... Terminal AP ... Access point BS ... Base station RT ... Router INT ... Internet

Claims (5)

A communication device,
A wireless LAN interface including a wireless LAN control circuit;
A wireless communication control unit for controlling wireless communication by operating the wireless LAN interface exclusively as a wireless slave or a wireless master;
When the communication device is operating in a wireless master mode in which the wireless LAN interface is operated as the wireless master device, a wireless device other than the communication device with which a communication connection relationship is established via the wireless LAN interface is established. A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of a machine by a predetermined determination process;
When the communication device is operating in the wireless master device mode, when the determination unit determines that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device with which the connection relationship is established, the operation of the communication device is performed. Switching from the wireless master mode to a wireless slave mode for operating the wireless LAN interface as the wireless slave device, and when the communication device is operating in the wireless slave device mode, Te when receiving a predetermined probe request, the operation of the communication device, a communication device from said radio personal station mode and a toggle its operation control unit to the radio base unit mode. The communication device according to claim 1,
The determination process includes a process for managing a state of establishment and release of a connection relationship between the communication device and a wireless slave device other than the communication device,
The determination unit establishes a wireless connection other than the communication device when the state of establishment and release of the connection relationship to be managed is a state where there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device that is establishing the connection relationship. A communication device that determines that no machine exists. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The determination process includes a process of monitoring reception of the communication packet from a wireless slave device other than the communication device,
The determination unit determines that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device when a communication packet is not received from the wireless slave device other than the communication device for a predetermined time. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The determination process includes a process of transmitting a data frame to a wireless slave unit other than the communication device via the wireless LAN interface and confirming a response to the transmitted data frame,
The determination unit determines that no wireless slave unit other than the communication device exists when the response is not received. An operation control method for a communication device for controlling the operation of a communication device capable of wireless LAN communication using a wireless LAN interface,
When the communication device is operating in a wireless master mode in which the wireless LAN interface is operated as a wireless master device, a wireless slave device other than the communication device in which a communication connection via the wireless LAN interface is established The presence or absence of is determined by a predetermined determination process,
When the communication device is operating in the wireless master device mode, if it is determined that there is no wireless slave device other than the communication device with which the connection relationship is established, the operation of the communication device is changed to the wireless master device. Switch from wireless device mode to wireless slave device mode to operate the wireless LAN interface as a wireless slave device ,
When the communication device is operating in the wireless slave device mode and receives a predetermined probe request via the wireless LAN interface, the operation of the communication device is changed from the wireless slave device mode to the wireless master device. toggle its operation control method on the machine mode.

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