JP5860623B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for starting up software of a wireless communication device at high speed.

  In recent years, embedded software in devices typified by wireless communication devices and the like has become complicated and multifunctional, and along with this, the size of software incorporated in devices has been steadily increasing. For this reason, it is general that a startup time of at least several seconds is required before starting up software including an OS (Operating System) and operating desired software (such as an application).

As an example of a high-speed startup method, software is stored on FROM (Flash Memory), program code is operated on FROM, and areas such as stack and work buffer necessary for software operation are minimized. There is a method of developing on a static random access memory (SRAM) which is a dynamic operation memory.
However, as a case where the above method is applied, it is often applied with relatively small software due to the capacity of the FROM or SRAM and the function of the apparatus.

  On the other hand, when multifunctional software (including applications such as UserInterface) as described at the beginning is incorporated in the apparatus, the capacity of areas such as a stack and a work buffer required for operating the software is several megabytes. Often required in units of tens of MBytes. This area is generally assigned to RAM (Random Access Memory) in consideration of usage and access speed. However, this area is an indefinite area (an area where the memory value is not guaranteed) when the device is started. An initialization process such as zero clear is generally performed. As this initialization processing time increases with the increase in the number of functions of software, it is a main cause that requires more device startup time than necessary.

JP 2011-71703 A

In recent years, wireless communication devices are often used particularly in the field of social infrastructure such as public wireless, but in many cases, high-speed startup equivalent to the conventional technology is required with regard to startup time as well as multifunctionalization. For example, an emergency wireless communicator that is carried by a person who visits a disaster site (fire brigade, etc.) when a disaster occurs is stored in a predetermined storage location with the power off during normal times. It is taken out at the time of dispatch to a disaster site etc. and used with the power turned on.
As described above, since a wireless communication device in the social infrastructure field is generally used in an emergency, it is important to be ready to perform wireless communication immediately when it is desired to be used, and a technology that enables this is desired. It is rare.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to propose a technique for quickly enabling a function (particularly, a wireless communication function) of a wireless communication device.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the wireless communication device has the following configuration.
That is, in a wireless communication device that communicates with other devices wirelessly, the wireless communication function realized by the processor executing the software deployed on the memory and the instruction to turn on the wireless communication device 1 switch, a second switch for receiving an instruction to start the wireless communication function, and in response to receiving the power-on instruction by the first switch, the software is expanded on the memory, and Control means for causing the processor to execute the software and activating the wireless communication function in response to receiving the activation instruction by a second switch.

  According to the wireless communication device according to the present invention, for example, the wireless communication function is stored in a state where the power is turned on and the wireless communication function is stopped in a normal state, and the wireless communication function is activated and used in an emergency. The function of the communicator (wireless communication function) can be quickly made available.

It is a figure which illustrates the external appearance of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the external appearance of the rotary switch in the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the functional block of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow of the starting process 1 (OS starting process) performed at the time of starting of a wireless communication apparatus. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow of the starting process 2 (software starting process) performed at the time of starting of a wireless communication apparatus. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow at the time of starting of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on a conventional system. It is a figure which illustrates the processing flow at the time of starting of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the relationship between the switch state and apparatus state of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  A wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the wireless communication apparatus exemplified below, and not all combinations of features described therein are essential to the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an appearance of a wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Here, prior to specific description of the wireless communication device 1 of the present example, the use of the wireless communication device 1 of the present example will be described.
The wireless communication device 1 of this example is assumed to be used for information transmission and information sharing in the social infrastructure field. Specifically, for example, a wireless communication system is configured together with a command terminal device, a line control device, a base station device, and the like, and other operation terminals (command terminal device and other wireless communication devices 1) are within the communication range of the wireless base station. The voice signal input to the terminal is received via the line control device and the radio base station to output the voice, and the voice signal input to the terminal is sent to the other via the line control device and the radio base station. By transmitting to the operation terminal and outputting the sound, a call with another person (such as an operator of the command terminal device or an operator of another wireless communication device 1) is realized.

  As a specific application of the wireless communication device 1 of the present example, for example, a call with a person who visits and works at a disaster site or the like when a disaster occurs (a fire brigade member or a city hall staff member) can be cited. For example, the wireless communication device 1 for such an application is stored in a predetermined storage location during normal times and is taken out and used in an emergency (such as when dispatched to a disaster site). In an emergency, it is required to immediately be able to make a call with another person (a state in which wireless communication can be performed), so that the wireless communication function can be quickly activated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 1 of the present example includes an antenna 2 that transmits and receives wireless communication signals, a channel changing unit 3 that receives an operation for instructing change of a channel used for wireless communication, An activation switch and volume adjustment unit 4 that receives an operation for instructing switching of an activation state (activation or stop) of the wireless communication function and an operation for instructing adjustment of an output volume (volume) is provided. In addition, a PTT (Push To Talk) switch 5 is provided on the left side surface of the housing for receiving an operation for instructing the device to be in a voice transmission state. Further, a battery remaining amount display unit 6 for displaying various information such as the remaining amount of the battery on the front surface of the housing, a microphone 7 for inputting a sound to be transmitted to another device (control table or other wireless communication device 1), and the like The speaker 8 which outputs the audio | voice received from the apparatus (control stand and other radio | wireless communication apparatus 1) is provided. Further, a power switch 9 is provided on the right side surface of the housing for receiving an operation for instructing switching of the main power on state (on or off) of the apparatus.

The wireless communication device 1 of this example does not start the wireless communication function even when the main power is turned on (turned on) by operating the power switch 9, and further, the wireless communication function 1 is operated by operating the start switch / volume adjusting unit 4. The function is activated.
Here, the state where the main power is off (disconnected) is stopped, the state where the main power is on (turned on) and the wireless communication function is stopped, the state where the main power is turned on (turned on) and the wireless communication function is If the activated state is the operational state, it is normally stored in a predetermined storage location in the hibernation state, and when it is taken out in an emergency, it is shifted to the operational state, so that the stop state is changed to the hibernation state. The time required for the transition can be omitted, and the transition to the operation state can be performed promptly.

  In this example, the power switch 9 (power-on switch) used for power-on is a push type, and the start switch / volume adjustment unit 4 (start-up switch) used for starting a wireless communication function is a rotary switch type. The operator can easily distinguish between the operation related to the input instruction and the operation related to the start instruction. In this example, when the power switch 9 is pressed down for a predetermined time or longer (when the power switch 9 is pressed and held down), the main power on / off state is switched by an erroneous operation or the like by determining the main power on / off instruction. To prevent that.

FIG. 2A illustrates an appearance of a rotary switch provided as a start switch / volume adjustment unit 4 in the wireless communication device 1.
The rotary switch of this example includes a rotation angle for stopping the wireless communication function (rotation angle in accordance with the position of “OFF (communication)” in the figure) and a rotation angle for starting the wireless communication function (“VOL in the figure”). "Rotation angle according to the range of""is specified, and the wireless communication function can be switched between stop and start by rotating the rotary switch (when the wireless communication function is activated, the volume can be further adjusted) ).

As another example, FIG. 2B illustrates an external appearance when the above-described rotary switch is further provided with a function of a power-on switch.
The rotary switch in this example turns off the main power of the device (rotation angle matched to the position of “OFF (power)” in the figure), and turns on the main power of the device and stops the wireless communication function. Rotation angle (rotation angle according to the position of “OFF (communication)” in the figure) and rotation angle to activate the wireless communication function (rotation angle according to the range of “VOL” in the figure) are defined. The main power supply of the apparatus can be switched off and on by rotating the rotary switch. In the case of this configuration, the push-type power switch 9 described above can be omitted.

As described above, the power-on switch and the start-up switch are configured using two switches of different types, or the power-on switch and the start-up switch are configured using one switch that can be switched in two or more stages. It can be set as the aspect which comprises.
The various switches shown in the above description are merely examples, and other types of switches may be used, but the operator can identify the operation related to the power-on instruction and the operation related to the start-up instruction. It is preferable that

FIG. 3 illustrates functional blocks of the wireless communication device 1.
The wireless communication device 1 of this example includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs various arithmetic processes, a FROM 12 that stores software related to wireless communication, a RAM 13 that is a work area of the CPU 11, and a communication process that performs processing related to wireless communication. 14, a key input unit 15 that receives various operation inputs from the operator, a display unit 16 that displays and outputs various types of information, and a power source 17 that is a power supply source necessary for the operation of the wireless communication device 1.

As the RAM 13, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used.
As the communication processing unit 14, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is used. In this example, the wireless communication function is realized by executing software related to wireless communication by the CPU 11 and controlling the communication processing unit 14.
As the key input unit 15, for example, a power switch 9, a start switch / volume adjustment unit 4, a channel change unit 3, and a PTT switch 5 are used. The power-on switch (power switch 9) and the start switch (start switch / volume adjustment unit 4) may be independent switch units.
As the display unit 16, for example, the battery remaining amount display unit 6 is used. Although omitted in the example of FIG. 1, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays and outputs various information screens, and an LED (Light Emitting) that indicates the state (stopped state / suspended state / operating state) of the wireless communication device 1. Diode) and the like are also used.
For example, a rechargeable battery is used as the power source 17.

The activation operation of the wireless communication device 1 of this example will be described in comparison with the activation operation of a conventional wireless communication device.
FIG. 4 illustrates a processing flow of startup processing 1 (OS startup processing) that is executed in common when the wireless communication device 1 of this example and the wireless communication device of the conventional method are started up.
FIG. 5 illustrates a processing flow of start processing 2 (software start processing) that is executed in common when the wireless communication device 1 of this example and the wireless communication device of the conventional method are started.
FIG. 6 illustrates a processing flow at the time of activation of the wireless communication apparatus according to the conventional method.
FIG. 7 illustrates a processing flow when the wireless communication device 1 of this example is activated.

First, boot processing 1 (OS boot processing) and boot processing 2 (software boot processing) will be described.
In the boot process 1 (OS boot process), as shown in FIG. 4, the area of the RAM 13 is initialized under the control of the CPU 11 (step S11), and the program stored in the FROM 12 is expanded in the RAM 13. (Step S12), an area such as a stack or a work buffer is expanded and initialized in the RAM 13 (Step S13), and the OS is initialized and started (Step S14).

  In the activation process 2 (software activation process), as shown in FIG. 5, under the control of the CPU 11, a desired program (for example, a software program related to wireless communication) developed from the FROM 12 to the RAM 13 is activated ( Step S21), a standby screen is displayed on the display unit 16 (Step S22). As a result, the wireless communication device becomes operational and the wireless communication function can be used.

The startup process in the conventional wireless communication device will be described with reference to FIG.
In the conventional method, when the power-on switch is turned on (main power is turned on) (step S31), the startup process 1 (OS startup process) and the startup process 2 (software startup process) are continuously executed (step S32). While the startup processes 1 and 2 are being executed, a startup screen W11 indicating that the startup process is being performed is displayed on the LCD, and after the startup processes 1 and 2 have been executed, the operation state is set to indicate that the call is waiting. A standby screen W12 is displayed on the LCD. In the operational state, the LED is lit to indicate that.

Processing at startup in the wireless communication device 1 of this example will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example system, when the power-on switch is turned on (main power is turned on) (step S41), after executing the boot process 1 (OS boot process) (step S42), the CPU 11 is shifted to the low power consumption mode. (Step S43). While the startup process 1 is being executed, a startup screen W21 indicating that the startup process is being performed is displayed on the LCD, and after the startup process 1 is executed, the display enters the sleep state and the display on the LCD is erased (a screen that is completely off). W22). Moreover, in the case of a resting state, an LED is displayed to indicate that. For example, the color of the LED is made different from the operation state, or the LED is blinked with a relatively long cycle (for example, a lighting time of 1 second and a light-off time of 10 seconds are repeated).

Thereafter (in the hibernation state), when the activation switch is turned on (activation of the wireless communication function), the CPU 11 is returned from the low power consumption mode to the normal power mode (step S44), and the activation process 2 (software activation process) is executed. (Step S45). After the start process 2 is executed, the standby state W23 indicating that the mobile phone is in an operating state and is in a standby state for a call is displayed on the LCD. In the operational state, the LED is lit to indicate that. While the start process 2 is being executed, a screen indicating that may be displayed on the LCD, but this is omitted in this example because the process is completed in a short time.
With such a configuration, the wireless communication device 1 can be stored in a dormant state, and can be activated at a high speed and used for wireless communication when in use.

  In this example, in the sleep state in which the CPU 11 is in the low power consumption mode, the communication processing unit 14 configured by a DSP, FPGA, or the like is not activated, and the entire apparatus is low in combination with LCD non-display (all off). Power consumption is reduced. Further, by minimizing the activation of the software in the hibernation state, it is possible to prevent the CPU 11 from being inadvertently released from the low power consumption mode due to an interrupt process to the CPU 11 or the like. For this reason, according to this example, the further low power consumption effect is anticipated compared with the case where it is set as the low power consumption mode in an operation state.

  As described above, the wireless communication device 1 of this example receives a wireless communication function realized by the CPU 11 executing software related to wireless communication developed on the RAM 13 and an instruction to turn on the wireless communication device 1. A power-on switch (power switch 9) and a start-up switch (start-up switch and volume adjusting unit 4) that accepts a start-up instruction for a wireless communication function are provided. In response to receiving the instruction, the software related to wireless communication is deployed on the memory, and in response to receiving the start instruction from the activation switch, the software related to wireless communication is executed to execute the wireless communication function. It started up.

  Here, when the wireless communication device 1 of this example is used, the operator interrupts the CPU 11 by turning on the activation switch, and the desired software (after the CPU 11 returns from the low power consumption mode) For example, software related to wireless communication is activated. Note that the time required for recovery from low power consumption depends on the processing performance of the CPU 11, but it can be considered negligible because it can be completed in the order of μs.

  Comparing the startup time as viewed from the operator for the conventional method and the present method, in the case of the conventional method (normal start from the stopped state), it is the time T1 required to execute the startup process 1 and the startup process 2. In the case of this example method (high-speed activation from the hibernation state), this is the time T2 required to execute the activation process 2. That is, the difference between these times is the time required for executing the startup process 1, and the startup time can be shortened by the time.

Here, as concerns of this example method, (1) battery consumption problem due to standby in the low power consumption mode (the battery may run out during actual use and may not be usable) (2) The problem that it takes time for the common process (start-up process 1) to stand by in the low power consumption mode at the time of restarting may be mentioned.
As for (1), the solution can be achieved by coping with waiting while charging or using a large capacity battery.
Regarding (2), it is considered that the frequency of restarting is considered to be low as a characteristic of the wireless communication device itself for the above-mentioned use (for example, emergency use at the time of disaster occurrence), and thus a problem that greatly impairs usability Not so.

FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between the switch state (the state of the power-on switch and the start-up switch) and the device state in the wireless communication device 1 of this example.
In the wireless communication device 1 of this example, in order to prevent malfunction, when the power-on switch is OFF (main power is cut off), the start-up switch is turned ON (wireless communication function is activated). Do not start the device. When the power-on switch is ON (main power is cut off) and the start-up switch is OFF (wireless communication function is stopped), it is put into a dormant state, and then the start switch is turned on (wireless communication function is started). In this case, the wireless communication function can be used by shifting to the operation state.

  If the activation switch is turned on when the power-on switch is turned on, the normal activation in which the activation process 1 and the activation process 2 are continuously performed is performed as in the conventional method. In other words, in response to the power-on switch being turned ON, the stack, work buffer, and other areas necessary for software operation are expanded and initialized on the RAM 13, and then the desired software is operated. Let Here, whether or not the program area stored in the FROM 12 is expanded on the RAM 13 is arbitrary.

  As described above, in this example, by providing two types (or two stages) of switches as activation switches for wireless communication devices, activation from a stopped state (main power is cut off) (normal activation) The device software (for example, software related to wireless communication) can be started by two types of startup methods (high-speed startup) from the sleep state (the state where the main power supply is turned on and the wireless communication function is stopped). I made it.

  When the power-on switch is ON (start-up switch is OFF), the stack and work buffer areas required for software operation, which had become a bottleneck in the conventional startup time, are stored on the RAM. After performing the initializing and initializing process, the CPU is shifted to the low power consumption mode to be in a dormant state. The CPU low power consumption mode includes the CPU type and the low power consumption mode itself, but they are treated uniformly as the low power consumption mode (the significance of the present invention depends on the type of the low power consumption mode). Is not detrimental).

  Thereafter, when the operator turns on the activation switch when using the wireless communication device, the low power consumption mode of the CPU is released, and desired software (for example, software related to wireless communication) is sequentially activated. . Here, the startup time of the desired software (time required for high-speed startup) depends on the processing performance of the CPU and the program capacity stored in the FRAM, but the startup time in the conventional method (time required for normal startup). Can be significantly shortened compared to.

Various technologies for shifting the CPU to the low power consumption mode have been proposed in the past, but these technologies are intended to increase the battery drive time by shifting the device from the normal operating state. Yes, as in this example, it does not shift from the stop state of the device (a state in which software related to wireless communication is stopped).
Further, in this example, (1) when only the activation switch is ON, devices other than the CPU (for example, mounted in the communication processing unit 14 in FIG. 3) are not activated and are not operated. (2) Power consumption Low power consumption of the entire device in a resting state (main power is turned on and the wireless communication function is stopped) by minimizing the display of a relatively large display unit (for example, LCD). Has been realized.

  1: wireless communication device, 2: antenna, 3: channel change unit, 4: start switch / volume adjustment unit, 5: PTT switch, 6: battery remaining amount display unit, 7: microphone, 8: speaker, 9: power switch 11: CPU, 12: FROM, 13: RAM, 14: communication processing unit, 15: key input unit, 16: display unit, 17: power supply

Claims (3)

In a wireless communication device that communicates with other devices wirelessly,
A wireless communication function realized by a processor executing software expanded on a memory;
A first switch for receiving an instruction to turn on the wireless communication device;
A second switch for receiving an instruction to activate the wireless communication function;
In response to receiving the power-on instruction by the first switch, the software is expanded on the memory, and after the initialization process for operating the software is performed, the processor is put into a low power consumption mode. is shifted to, further, in response to reception of the instruction of the start by the second switch, to release the low power consumption mode of the processor, starting the wireless communication function to execute the software in the processor Control means to
A wireless communication device comprising: The wireless communication device includes a screen display unit that displays an information screen, and an LED that indicates the state of the wireless communication device,
When executing the processing in response to the power-on instruction, a startup screen indicating that the wireless communication device is being started is displayed on the screen display unit, and when the processor is in the low power consumption mode, the screen display is performed. And the LED blinks, and after executing the process according to the activation instruction of the wireless communication function by the second switch, a standby screen indicating that the telephone is in a standby state is displayed on the screen. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device displays on the display unit and lights the LED . The second switch is a rotary switch that also adjusts the output volume.
Start the radio communication function by rotating the second switch, and adjusting the output volume in accordance with the rotation angle of the second switch, according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless communication device .

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