JP7071000B2 - Mobile router control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile router control system, a mobile terminal and a mobile router.

Current mobile routers have multiple power saving features. Among them, the power saving mode, which has a large effect of reducing power consumption, has a relatively long transition time to the power saving mode and a recovery time compared to other power saving modes.

Therefore, when automatically detecting with a mobile router, for example, it is necessary to lengthen the time until the state where there is no data communication is detected (automatic power saving detection time). (For example, 10 minutes)

For example, in Patent Document 1, the usage status (start, end, etc.) of the wireless communication terminal 1 is monitored, and the communication method between the wireless communication terminal 1 and the wireless communication terminal 2 is switched according to the result (two). It is described that power saving is performed by switching from the communication method to the power saving communication method).

In addition, even though the mobile terminal such as a smartphone is actually in an unused state, the mobile router has not transitioned to the power saving mode, and there is time to waste power.

In order to reduce this wasteful power consumption, it is possible for the user to frequently switch the power saving mode of the mobile router by operating the menu, but the burden on the user is heavy and it takes a lot of time and effort.

Therefore, many users use the automatic detection function (the function that transitions to the power saving mode in the automatic power saving detection time) that the mobile router has, and the current situation is that there is a lot of wasteful power consumption.

JP-A-2015-041848

As described above, in the power saving control of the mobile router, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the power consumption of the mobile router without the user of the mobile terminal performing an additional operation. In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile router control system, a mobile terminal and a mobile router that reduce the power consumption of the mobile router without performing additional operations by the user of the mobile terminal.

The mobile router control system of one embodiment is a mobile router control system including a mobile terminal and a mobile router that wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal is the mobile based on the usage status of the mobile terminal. When an instruction to switch the router to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch the mobile router to the normal mode is transmitted to the mobile router and the mobile router receives an instruction to switch to the power saving mode, the instruction is switched to the power saving mode according to the instruction. When the mobile router receives an instruction to switch to the normal mode, it switches to the normal mode according to the instruction.

The mobile terminal of one embodiment includes a communication unit that communicates with the mobile router, and a control unit that determines whether to operate the mobile router in the power saving mode or the normal mode based on the usage status of the own device. Based on the judgment of the control unit, the communication unit sends an instruction to switch to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch to the normal mode to the mobile router.

The mobile router of one embodiment puts its own device into the power saving mode according to the communication unit that receives the instruction to switch to the power saving mode and the instruction to switch to the normal mode transmitted from the mobile terminal and the instruction to switch to the power saving mode. It is equipped with a control unit that switches its own device to normal mode according to the instructions for switching and switching to normal mode.

As described above, according to the mobile router control system, the mobile terminal, and the mobile router of the present invention, the power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the user of the mobile terminal performing an additional operation.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the mobile router control system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mobile router which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 5.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile router control system according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the mobile router control system 100 includes a mobile terminal 200 and a mobile router 300.

The mobile terminal 200 is a terminal that performs wireless communication with the mobile router 300. Then, the mobile terminal 200 connects to an external network via the mobile router 300. Further, the mobile terminal 200 transmits an instruction to switch the mobile router 300 to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch the mobile router 300 to the normal mode to the mobile router 300 based on the usage status of the mobile terminal 200.

The mobile router 300 is a router that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200. Further, the mobile router 300 performs wireless communication with a network with the outside. The mobile router 300 is a router capable of switching between two modes, a normal mode in which normal wireless communication is performed and a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode. Then, when the mobile router 300 receives an instruction to switch to the power saving mode, the mobile router 300 switches to the power saving mode according to this instruction. When the mobile router 300 receives an instruction to switch to the normal mode, the mobile router 300 switches to the normal mode according to the instruction.

As described above, according to the mobile router control system of the first embodiment, an instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch the mobile router to the normal mode is transmitted to the mobile router based on the usage status of the mobile terminal, and the mobile is mobile. By switching the router to the power saving mode or the normal mode according to this instruction, the power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the user of the mobile terminal performing an additional operation.

Embodiment 2
In the second embodiment, an example of the internal configuration of the mobile terminal 200 and the mobile router 300 of the first embodiment will be described. First, the configuration of the mobile terminal 200 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 200 includes a monitor unit 211, a control unit 212, and a communication unit 213.

The monitor unit 211 monitors the usage status of the mobile terminal 200. Then, the monitor unit 211 outputs the usage status of the mobile terminal 200 to the control unit 212.

The control unit 212 determines whether or not to switch the mobile router 300 to the power saving mode based on the usage status of the mobile terminal 200. For example, when the mobile terminal 200 is not in use, it is determined to switch the mobile router 300 to the power saving mode. Further, the control unit 212 determines whether or not to switch the mobile router 300 to the normal mode based on the usage status of the mobile terminal 200. For example, when the mobile terminal 200 is in use, it is determined to switch the mobile router 300 to the normal mode.

The communication unit 213 communicates with the mobile router 300. For example, the communication unit 213 includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. Then, the communication unit 213 transmits an instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode to the mobile router 300 according to the judgment of the control unit 212. The signal of the instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode may be an independent control signal or may be superimposed on another control signal.

Next, the configuration of the mobile router 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the mobile router according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the mobile router 300 includes a first communication unit 311, a control unit 312, a processing unit 313, and a second communication unit 314.

The first communication unit 311 communicates with the communication unit 213 of the mobile terminal 200. For example, the first communication unit 311 includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. Then, when the first communication unit 311 receives the signal of the instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode, the first communication unit 311 outputs the signal to the control unit 312. Further, the first communication unit 311 outputs a signal related to communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the external network to the processing unit 313. Further, the first communication unit 311 receives a signal related to communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the external network from the processing unit 313 and outputs the signal to the mobile terminal 200.

The control unit 312 receives an instruction from the first communication unit 311 and switches the operation mode of the mobile router 300. When receiving an instruction to switch to the power saving mode from the first communication unit 311, the control unit 312 operates the mobile router 300 in the power saving mode in which the power consumption of the mobile router 300 is low. When receiving an instruction from the first communication unit 311 to switch to the normal mode, the control unit 312 operates the mobile router 300 in the normal mode in which the mobile router 300 operates at the normal power consumption.

For example, the power saving mode of the mobile router 300 is a mode in which the mobile router 300 operates with a power consumption lower than usual in communication with the mobile terminal 200, and the normal mode is a mode in which the mobile router 300 operates with normal power consumption. For example, the power saving mode may be operated by continuous reception, and the normal mode may be operated by intermittent reception. Further, for example, the power saving mode may be operated by power saving transmission / reception, and the normal mode may be operated by high power transmission / reception. Further, for example, in the power saving mode, only reception may be performed, and in the normal mode, transmission and reception may be performed. Further, for example, in the power saving mode, the operation may be performed in the minimum communication band, and in the normal mode, the operation may be performed in the largest possible communication band. Further, when the mobile router 300 communicates with an external wireless network, the mobile router described above may be in a power saving mode and a normal mode similar to the communication with the mobile terminal 200.

The processing unit 313 performs signal transfer processing between the first communication unit 311 and the second communication unit 314 for signals related to communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the external network. For example, the processing unit 313 performs processing in consideration of differences in delay, bandwidth, etc. between communication with the mobile terminal 200 and communication with an external network. For example, the processing unit 313 may include a buffer circuit.

The second communication unit 314 communicates with the external network. For example, the second communication unit 314 includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. The second communication unit 314 receives a signal related to communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the external network from the processing unit 313 and transmits the signal to the external network. Further, the second communication unit 314 receives a signal related to communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the external network from the external network and outputs the signal to the processing unit 313.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal of the second embodiment, the instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or the instruction to switch the mobile router to the normal mode is transmitted to the mobile router based on the usage status of the mobile terminal. The power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the user of the mobile terminal performing additional operations.

Further, according to the mobile router of the second embodiment, by switching the mobile router to the power saving mode or the normal mode according to the instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode, the user of the mobile terminal does not perform any additional operation. Power consumption can be reduced.

Embodiment 3
In the third embodiment, an example of determining whether to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or the mobile router to the normal mode will be described based on the presence or absence of input reception of the mobile terminal 200. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 200 includes a monitor unit 211, a control unit 222, and a communication unit 213. The monitor unit 211 includes an input unit 221.

The input unit 221 is an interface that accepts user input. For example, the input unit 221 may include at least one of a touch panel and a button. Further, the input unit 221 may be an interface for receiving voice.

The control unit 222 has the same configuration as the control unit 212 of the second embodiment, has the same function, and has the following functions. Specifically, if there is no input in the input unit 221 for a predetermined period, the control unit 222 determines that the mode is switched to the power saving mode. Further, when the input unit 221 receives an input, the control unit 222 determines that the mode is switched to the normal mode.

The communication unit 213 transmits an instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode to the mobile router 300 according to the judgment of the control unit 222.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal of the third embodiment, an instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch the mobile router to the normal mode is transmitted to the mobile router based on whether or not the user's input is accepted. As a result, the power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the need for the mobile terminal user to perform additional operations.

Embodiment 4
In the fourth embodiment, an example of determining whether the mobile router is switched to the power saving mode or the mobile router is switched to the normal mode will be described based on the image captured by the user from the mobile terminal 200. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the mobile terminal according to the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 200 includes a monitor unit 211, a control unit 232, and a communication unit 213. The monitor unit 211 includes an image pickup unit 231.

The image pickup unit 231 captures a user who operates the mobile terminal 200. For example, it is preferable that the image pickup unit 231 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor. Further, the image pickup unit 231 may include a lens and a color filter. It is desirable that the image pickup unit 231 is provided on the surface of the user who operates the mobile terminal 200. Then, the image pickup unit 231 outputs the captured image to the control unit 232.

The control unit 232 has the same configuration as the control unit 212 of the second embodiment, has the same function, and has the following functions. Specifically, when the user's face is not detected in the image captured by the image pickup unit 231, the control unit 232 determines that the mode is switched to the power saving mode. Further, when the user's face is detected in the image captured by the image pickup unit 231, the control unit 232 determines that the mode is switched to the normal mode.

The communication unit 213 transmits an instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode to the mobile router 300 according to the judgment of the control unit 232.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal of the fourth embodiment, the instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or the mobile router to the normal mode based on the judgment result of whether or not the user's face is detected in the captured image. By sending an instruction to switch to the mobile router, the power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the mobile terminal user performing an additional operation.

Embodiment 5
In the fifth embodiment, an example of determining whether to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or the mobile router to the normal mode will be described based on whether or not the cover covers the mobile terminal 200. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the mobile terminal according to the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 200 includes a monitor unit 211, a control unit 242, and a communication unit 213. The monitor unit 211 includes a detection unit 241.

The detection unit 241 detects that the cover covers one surface of the mobile terminal 200. For example, the detection unit 241 may be a magnetic sensor that detects that the magnet attached to the cover is close to the mobile terminal 200. Further, the detection unit 241 may be an optical sensor (for example, an ambient light sensor, an illuminance sensor) provided on one surface of the mobile terminal 200 covered with a cover. Then, the result of detecting that the cover covers one surface of the mobile terminal 200 is output to the control unit 242. The cover may be one integrated with the mobile terminal 200 (for example, a flip cover) or a separate cover from the mobile terminal 200.

The control unit 242 has the same configuration as the control unit 212 of the second embodiment, has the same function, and has the following functions. Specifically, when the detection unit 241 detects that the cover covers one surface of the mobile terminal, the control unit 242 determines that the mode is switched to the power saving mode. Further, when the detection unit 241 detects that the cover does not cover one surface of the mobile terminal, the control unit 242 determines that the mode is switched to the normal mode.

The communication unit 213 transmits an instruction to switch to the power saving mode or the normal mode to the mobile router 300 according to the judgment of the control unit 242.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal of the fifth embodiment, the instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or the mobile router to the normal mode is based on the determination result of whether or not the cover covers one surface of the mobile terminal. By transmitting the instruction to the mobile router, the power consumption of the mobile router can be reduced without the mobile terminal user performing an additional operation.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit. For example, two or more embodiments 1 to 5 may be combined. Further, the monitor unit 211, the control unit 212, 222, 232, 242 and 312 are electronic circuits combining a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). It may be configured by either.

Further, each element described in the drawing as a functional block that performs various processing can be configured by a CPU, a memory, and other circuits in terms of hardware, and a program loaded in the memory in terms of software. It is realized by such as. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, and the present invention is not limited to any of them.

Also, the programs described above can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-temporary computer-readable media. Non-temporary computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (eg, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (eg, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs. Includes CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (eg, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer readable media include electrical, optical, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

100 Mobile router control system 200 Mobile terminal 211 Monitor unit 212,222,223,242,312 Control unit 213 Communication unit 221 Input unit 231 Imaging unit 241 Detection unit 300 Mobile router 311 First communication unit 313 Processing unit 314 Second communication unit

Claims (8)

A communication unit that communicates with the mobile router, a control unit that determines whether to operate the mobile router in the power saving mode or the normal mode based on the usage status of the mobile terminal, an image pickup unit that captures an image of the user, and a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal including a cover covering one surface and a detection unit for detecting that the cover covers one surface of the mobile terminal.
According to the first communication unit that receives the instruction to switch to the power saving mode and the instruction to switch to the normal mode transmitted from the mobile terminal, and the instruction to switch to the power saving mode, the mobile router is switched to the power saving mode and switched to the normal mode. Regarding signals related to communication between the mobile terminal and the external network, the control unit that switches the mobile router to the normal mode according to the switching instruction, the second communication unit that communicates with the external network, and the first communication unit and the second communication unit. A mobile router that includes a processing unit that performs signal transfer processing between communication units and wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal.
It is a mobile router control system equipped with
The mobile terminal transmits an instruction to switch the mobile router to the power saving mode or an instruction to switch the mobile router to the normal mode to the mobile router based on the usage status of the mobile terminal.
When the mobile router receives an instruction to switch to the power saving mode, it switches to the power saving mode according to the instruction.
When the mobile router receives an instruction to switch to the normal mode, it switches to the normal mode according to the instruction.
If the mobile terminal has not been input by the user for a predetermined period of time, an instruction to switch to the power saving mode is transmitted to the mobile router.
When the mobile terminal accepts the user's input, the mobile terminal sends an instruction to switch to the normal mode to the mobile router .
The mobile terminal captures the user and
If the user's face is not detected in the captured image, the mobile terminal sends an instruction to switch to the power saving mode to the mobile router.
When the user's face is detected in the captured image, the mobile terminal sends an instruction to switch to the normal mode to the mobile router.
When the mobile terminal detects that the cover covers one side of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal sends an instruction to switch to the power saving mode to the mobile router.
When it is detected that the cover does not cover one surface of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal sends an instruction to switch to the normal mode to the mobile router, which is a mobile router control system. The mobile router control system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing in consideration of a delay or a difference in bandwidth between communication with the mobile terminal and communication with the external network. The mobile router control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit includes a buffer circuit. The mobile router control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. The mobile router control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first communication unit includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. The mobile router control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second communication unit includes a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a frequency conversion circuit, an amplifier circuit, and an antenna. The mobile router control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image pickup unit is provided on the surface of a user who operates the mobile terminal. The detection unit is a magnetic sensor that detects that a magnet attached to the cover is close to the mobile terminal, or an optical sensor provided on one surface of the mobile terminal covered by the cover, according to claims 1 to 7. The mobile router control system according to any one.

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