JPH08294168A - Radio communication system and radio communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a radio communication system and a radio communication terminal which are capable of switching an inter-slave machine direct speech by a simple operation. CONSTITUTION: When a user performs the operation for performing an inter-slave machine direct communication, the PHS terminal 6a on an originating call side transmits an inter-slave machine originating call start notification to a radio base station 5 and directly transmits a calling signal to the PHS terminal on an incoming call side after a line is established with the PHS terminal 6b on the incoming call side via the radio base station 5. When the PHS terminal 6b on the incoming call side receives the inter-slave machine incoming call start notification via the radio base station 5, the terminal 6b stands by the calling by direct communication. When the terminal 6b receives the calling signal, the terminal transmits a response signal to the PHS terminal 6a on the originating call side and transfers to the inter-slave machine direct communication. When the PHS terminal 6a on the originating call side receives the response signal, the terminal transfers to the inter-slave machine direct communication. As a result, the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the originating call side and the incoming call side perform communication directly by the terminals with each other without interposing the radio base station 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a wireless communication terminal that exchange information with a terminal such as a PHS terminal via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a portable information terminal (for example, a mobile phone, a PHS terminal: Perso) that is carried by a user and mutually communicates voice and data with other terminals including a general home telephone.
nal Handy Phone System Terminal, Pager, PDA: Pe
There is known a wireless communication system including an rsonal Digital Assistant or the like), a base station connected to a communication line, wirelessly communicating with the mobile information terminal, and connecting the mobile information terminal to the communication line. In this wireless communication system, the portable information terminal is driven by a secondary battery or the like so that it can be used while being carried, and can store various data such as the telephone number of the other party, an address book, a schedule, and memos in text / voice. In addition to being able to store, information (voice, voice data, text data, image data, etc.) can be exchanged with other terminals via the telephone network. The portable information terminal (also referred to as a child device) is connected to a communication line via a base station (public base station or self-employed base station) connected to the telephone line network at predetermined intervals, and can communicate with a partner terminal. .

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional wireless communication system, since the mobile information terminals communicate with each other via the base station even when the mobile information terminals are close to each other, the following problems occur. there were. (A) Since the carrier (slot) of the base station is finite, if the lines of the base station are used between the mobile information terminals in the vicinity, it is not possible to effectively utilize the radio waves and the resources of the communication line network. (B) Therefore, if the mobile information terminal on the calling side needs to communicate directly with the mobile information terminal on the calling side, that is, whether the mobile information terminal on the other side exists, that is, whether direct communication is possible in the vicinity. , Or it is not possible to determine whether it is far away and direct communication is impossible, so that direct communication cannot be achieved after all. (C) Therefore, it is only necessary to confirm the position of the other party before making direct communication, but in order to do so, it is possible to call the other party through the base station once to confirm the position of the other party and then directly communicate. If so, it is necessary to newly shift to direct communication, which complicates the operation and is very troublesome.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the portable information terminal is in a close positional relationship, and
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system and a wireless communication terminal capable of switching to a direct call between handset units by an easy operation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of wireless communication terminals wirelessly connected via a base station connected to a communication network. In the provided wireless communication system, when the wireless communication terminal detects that it has established communication with another wireless communication terminal via the same base station, the wireless communication terminals directly communicate with each other without using the same base station. It is characterized by shifting to direct communication between terminals.

[0006] Further, as a preferred mode, when the wireless communication terminal detects that communication has been established with another wireless communication terminal via the base station, for example, as described in claim 2, The identification data for identifying the station is transmitted to the other wireless communication terminal, and the other wireless communication terminal compares the transmitted identification data with the identification data of the base station to which the own wireless communication terminal is connected. By doing
It may be determined whether or not it is possible to directly communicate with the wireless communication terminal without going through the base station. Further, the wireless communication terminal may restore the communication via the base station again when the direct communication between the terminals cannot be performed, as in claim 3, for example. Further, when the wireless communication terminal moves the base station and detects that the handover is completed, the wireless communication terminal identifies the base station that is in communication with the other wireless communication terminal. Data may be transmitted.

A wireless communication system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via a base station connected to a communication network. The wireless communication terminal of transmits a command signal to shift to direct communication between terminals to the wireless communication terminal of the called side via the base station, and the wireless communication terminal of the called side receives the command signal, It is characterized in that a standby state for directly communicating with the wireless communication terminal on the calling side is entered without going through the base station.

A wireless communication terminal according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a first communication means for communicating with another wireless communication terminal via a base station connected to a communication network, and not through the base station. Second communication means for communicating with another wireless communication terminal, instructing means for instructing communication by the second communication means, and when instructing communication by the second communication means by the instructing means, An instruction signal for shifting to the second communication means is transmitted to another wireless communication terminal by the first communication means, the communication by the first communication means is ended, and the communication by the second communication means is started. And a control means for controlling the above.

Further, as a preferred mode, the control means may activate the second communication means when the instruction signal is received by the first communication means. . Further, as a preferred mode, the instructing unit and the identification data of the base station to which the other terminal is connected, which is sent from the other terminal by the first communication unit, and the self-instructing unit It may have a comparison means for comparing with the identification data of the base station to which the terminal is connected, and when the comparison means matches the identification data, the communication by the second communication means may be instructed. In a preferred mode, the control means returns to the first communication means when detecting that communication by the second communication means is impossible, as in claim 9. Good.

[0010]

In the present invention, when the wireless communication terminals detect that they have established communication with other wireless communication terminals via the same base station, they directly communicate with each other without using the same base station. Transition to direct communication between terminals. Therefore, it becomes possible to switch to the direct call between the terminals by an easy operation. Further, at the time of transition to direct communication between terminals, it is possible to determine whether or not the wireless communication terminals have a close positional relationship by transmitting identification data indicating the position of the base station that controls the service area in which the wireless communication terminals exist. It becomes possible to automatically determine.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example applied to a PHS terminal will be described. A. Configuration of Radio Communication System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio communication system such as a PHS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the wireless communication system is common to the first and second embodiments described later. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a network management station, which connects each radio base station via a telephone line network 4 and controls and manages communication between PHS terminals. A service management station 2 stores a voice mail, image data, text data, etc. in the database 3, and a PHS terminal 6 described later.
In response to the request from the user, various services for providing the above-mentioned voice mail, text data, and image data to the user are provided. The network management station 1 and the service management station 2 are
It may be one.

Next, the telephone line network 4 is a normal analog telephone line network or a digital line network which is spread all over the country. Next, the wireless base stations 5 and 5 are connected to the telephone line network 4 and are usually installed in the public, home, and business offices, and the telephone line network 4 and the PHS terminals 6 and 6 are wirelessly connected. It is a relay station to connect. Next, the PHS terminals 6 and 6 are carried by the user and wirelessly issue a line connection request to the wireless base station 5 installed in the vicinity to another PHS terminal 6 or an ordinary telephone in the home. 7, and receives services from the service management station 2 via the radio base station 5.

B. First Embodiment In the first embodiment, communication from the wireless base station 5 to P
The process at the time of shifting to the direct communication between handset units in which the HS terminals directly communicate with each other is performed by the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side,
The terminal 6b and the radio base station 5 perform the transmission and reception of an instruction (transmission call initiation notification between slaves and inter-slave arrival start notification) when transitioning to direct communication between slaves using the control channel. There is.

B-1. Configuration of PHS Terminal According to First Embodiment Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PHS terminal 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a transmission / reception unit, which includes a frequency conversion unit including a reception unit and a transmission unit, and a modem including a reception unit and a transmission unit. The reception unit of the frequency conversion unit receives the signal from the antenna A, which is input via an antenna switch for distributing transmission / reception.
By mixing the signal received by NT with the local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer,
IF (intermediate frequency) around 1.9 GHz band to 1 MHz band
Convert frequency to signal. In addition, the transmission unit of the frequency conversion unit uses a π / 4 shift QPS supplied from a modem described later.
By mixing the modulated wave of K with a local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer, 1.9 GHz can be obtained.
The frequency is converted into the z band, and the antenna ANT radiates it through the antenna switch. Next, the reception unit of the above-mentioned modem demodulates the IF signal from the frequency conversion unit, separates it into IQ data into a data string, and sends it to the communication control unit 11.
Further, in the transmission section of the modem, IQ data is created from the data supplied from the communication control section 11, and π / 4 shift Q
The PSK is modulated and sent to the frequency conversion unit of the transmission / reception unit 10.

Next, the communication control section 11 is composed of a transmitting side and a receiving side, and performs frame synchronization and slot data format processing. The receiving side extracts data for one slot from the received data supplied from the modem of the transmitting / receiving unit 10 at a predetermined timing, extracts a unique word (synchronizing signal) from this data, and generates a frame synchronizing signal. After descrambling the control data section and the audio data section, the control data is sent to the control section 16 and the audio data is sent to the audio processing section 12. Further, the transmission side adds control data and the like to the audio data supplied from the audio processing unit 12, adds unique words and the like after adding scramble and the like, and creates transmission data for one slot, It is inserted into a predetermined slot in the frame at a predetermined timing and sent to the modem of the transmission / reception unit 10. The transmission / reception unit 10 and the communication control unit 11 described above have a function of wirelessly communicating via the wireless base station 5 and a function of directly communicating with another PHS terminal.

Next, the voice processing unit 12 described above is composed of a speech codec and a PCM codec. The speech codec performs compression / expansion processing of digital data, and is composed of a receiving side and a transmitting side. On the receiving side, the ADPCM audio signal (4 bits × 8 KHz = 3) supplied from the communication control unit 11
2 Kbps for PCM audio signal (8 bits x 8 KHz =
Decompressed to 64Kbps and expanded to PCM
Output to codec. The transmission side encodes the PCM audio signal supplied from the PCM codec into an ADPCM audio signal, compresses it, and sends it to the communication control unit 11. The PCM codec described above performs analog / digital conversion processing, and the receiving side converts the PCM audio signal supplied from the speech codec into an analog audio signal by D / A conversion, causes the speaker 13 to generate sound, and transmits it. The side converts the analog audio signal input from the microphone 14 into a PCM signal by A / D conversion and sends it to the speech codec.

Next, the key input unit 15 is composed of a numeric keypad for inputting the telephone number of the other party, a switch for performing on-hook / off-hook, a volume switch for changing the voice output, and the like. The state of these keys and switches is controlled by the control unit 1.
6. Next, the control unit 16 controls the entire device according to a predetermined program. The ROM 17 stores programs executed by the control unit 16 and various parameters. In addition, the RAM 18 stores data generated according to the control of the control unit 16 and is used as a working area, and the destination name, address, and destination telephone number of the other party who makes a call are the addresses. It is stored as a record. The storage of the RAM 18 is held by a power source such as a secondary battery (not shown).

Next, the display unit 19 is composed of a liquid crystal display for displaying various data such as an operation mode, a telephone number and a call time, and an LED for indicating ON / OFF of switches and the like. Under the control of the control unit, it displays various data and serves as a touch panel. When the displayed icon or the like is instructed (pressed) by the user or a touch pen described later, the function assigned to that icon is executed. It has become so.

B-2. Message Configuration In the first embodiment, the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side, via the wireless base station 5, when starting the direct communication between the handset units,
The called PHS terminal 6b is called. At this time, in order to specify the called PHS terminal 6b, a control channel SCCH is used to send a call initiation notification message between the handset units to the radio base station 5b. Send to. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the inter-slave unit call initiation notification message. In the figure, the inter-slave unit call start notification message is, for example, 5
It is composed of octets (8 bits / octet), and the lower 7 bits of the first octet is assigned with a message type indicating the type of message, where direct communication between slave units is instructed. Also, the second octet ~
In the 4th octet, the cordless handset number for specifying the called-side PHS terminal 6b is designated.

When the radio base station 5 receives the inter-slave unit call initiation notification message, the control channel P is sent to the PHS terminal 6b on the called side according to the slave unit number.
The CH is used to transmit an inter-unit incoming call start notification message. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the inter-slave unit incoming call start notification message. In the figure, the inter-terminal incoming call start notification message is composed of, for example, 8 octets (8 bits / octet), and 3 bits of the upper 4 bits of the first octet indicate various services from the service provider. A call service type for designating a service to be received is assigned, and the lower 4 bits of the first octet indicate direct communication between the handset units.
In the 2nd to 4th octets, the P of the called side is
A slave unit number for specifying the HS terminal 6b is designated.

B-3. Operation of First Embodiment Next, the operation of the radio base station 5 and the PHS terminal 6 in the radio communication system according to the first embodiment described above will be described. In the following description, the PHS terminal on the calling side is 6a and the PHS terminal on the called side is 6b. Figure 5
7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio base station 5, and FIG.
6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the called-side PHS terminal 6b. Further, FIG. 8 shows the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side, the PHS terminal 6b on the called side, and the radio base station 5.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication procedure between and. In the following description, the operation of each unit associated with a call is the same as the operation of a normal PHS terminal, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side, when the user operates the inter-slave device call by the key input unit in order to perform the direct communication between the slave devices, first, step S10 shown in FIG.
At, it is determined whether or not the control channel of the base station 5 has been established. That is, it is determined whether communication is possible via the base station. Then, if the control channel is established, that is, if communication is possible via the wireless base station 5, the determination result in step S10 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the inter-terminal call initiation notification message shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the wireless base station 5 (STEP 1 in FIG. 8). Next, step S1
4 and release the control channel. On the other hand, if the control channel is not established, that is, if communication is not possible, the determination result in step S10 is "NO", and the process directly proceeds to step S16 described later.

On the other hand, the radio base station 5 determines in step S30 shown in FIG. 6 whether or not the inter-slave unit call initiation notification message has been received from the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side. Then, if not received, the determination result in step S30 is "NO", the process is ended, and another process is executed. On the other hand, when the inter-slave unit call start notification message is received, the determination result in step S30 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the inter-handset call reception start notification message shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the called-side PHS terminal 6b according to the handset number of the inter-handset call initiation start notification message (STEP 2 in FIG. 8). Next, in step S34, the notification timer is activated, and the process proceeds to step S36. Step S
At 36, based on the notification timer, it is determined whether a time-out has occurred. If the timeout has not occurred, the result of the determination in step S36 is "NO", and therefore step S36 is repeatedly executed until the timeout occurs, and the inter-slave unit incoming call start notification message is transmitted. Then, when the time is out, the determination result in step S36 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, after the inter-slave unit incoming call start notification message transmission process ends, the process ends.

On the other hand, in the PHS terminal 6b on the called side, as shown in FIG.
In step S40 shown in (1), it is determined whether the control channel is established, that is, whether communication is possible via the base station. If the control channel is not established, the result of the determination in step S40 is "N
It becomes “O”, the process is finished as it is, and another process is executed. On the other hand, if the control channel has been established, the determination result in step S40 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S42. In step S42, it is determined whether a PCH (notification message) has been received. And PC
If H has not been received, the determination result in step S42 is "NO", the process is also ended and other processes are executed. On the other hand, when the PCH is received, the determination result in step S42 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether the PCH from the above-described base station has received the inter-slave unit incoming call start notification message. If the incoming call start notification message between the handset units has not been received, step S
The result of the determination at 44 is "NO", the process is terminated, and another process based on the PCH is executed.

Here, as described above, if the wireless base station 5 has transmitted the inter-terminal incoming call start notification message in step S32, the determination result in step S44 is "YE."
S ”, and the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, standby for the child device is started. That is, the channel assigned to the direct communication between the child devices is searched. Next, in step S48, a timer between slave units is started. The inter-slave unit timer is a timer for waiting for a call from the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side. Next, in step S50,
It is determined whether or not a call signal from the calling PHS terminal 6a is received. When the call signal is not received, the determination result in step S50 is "N
"O" and the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, it is determined whether a time-out has occurred, based on the inter-child device timer activated in step S48. Then, if the timeout has not occurred, the determination result in step S52 is "NO", and the process returns to step S50. Less than,
Steps S50 and S52 are repeatedly executed until the call signal is received or the time-out is reached.

On the other hand, in the calling PHS terminal 6a, in step S16 shown in FIG. 5, the inter-slave unit call signal is transmitted using the channel assigned to the inter-slave unit direct communication (see FIG. 8 STEP 5). Next, in step S18, a timer between slave units is started. The inter-slave unit timer is a timer for waiting for a response signal from the called-side PHS terminal 6b. Next, in step S20,
In response to the call signal, it is determined whether or not a response signal from the called-side PHS terminal 6b has been received. Then, if the response signal is not received, the determination result in step S20 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred, based on the inter-child device timer activated in step S18. Then, if the timeout has not occurred, the determination result in step S22 is "NO", and the process returns to step S20. Hereinafter, steps S20 and S22 are repeatedly executed until a response signal is received or a time-out occurs.

On the other hand, when the called-side PHS terminal 6b receives the inter-handset calling signal from the calling-side PHS terminal 6a, the determination result in step S50 is "YES".
Then, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54,
A response signal is transmitted to the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side (STEP 6 in FIG. 8). In step S56, direct communication between the handset units is performed, and communication is performed with the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side.
Similarly, when the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side receives the response signal, the determination result in step S20 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S24. Step S
In 24, the direct communication between the handset units is performed, and the PH of the called side is
Communication is performed with the S terminal 6b. As a result, the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the calling side and the called side directly communicate with each other without going through the radio base station 5 (ST in FIG. 8).
EP7).

On the other hand, at the called PHS terminal 6b,
If the call signal from the calling PHS terminal 6a is not received and the time-out occurs, the determination result in step S52 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S58. In step S58, the standby of the direct communication between the child devices is canceled. Also, in the calling PHS terminal 6a,
No response signal is received from the called PHS terminal 6b,
When the time is out, the determination result in step S22 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, a control channel is established to restore communication via the wireless base station 5. Then, in step S28, the communication via the wireless base station 5 is restored, and the process ends. Therefore, the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the calling side and the called side return to the communication via the wireless base station 5.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the terminals connected to one base station are shown has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to terminals connected to different base stations. . Further, in the above-described embodiment, the inter-slave unit notification message (inter-slave unit call initiation start notification message and inter-slave station incoming call start notification message) from the calling terminal is unilaterally transmitted to the destination terminal, Although the direct communication between the handset units is performed, the direct communication between the handset units may be performed after waiting for a response from the called terminal to the inter-handset unit notification message.

C. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the processing performed by the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the calling side and the called side and the radio base station 5 in the first embodiment described above is performed by the PHS terminals 6a on the calling side and the called side. , 6b, and T of the audio signal (functional channel TCH)
Based on the CS-ID data transmitted in the CH data section, the direct communication between the slave units is started. The CS-
The ID data is data for identifying the base station.

C-1. Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a PHS terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. This PHS terminal 6
Includes a signal processing unit 20, and the signal processing unit 20
Is to superimpose TCH data on the audio signal to be transmitted,
It is for extracting the TCH data from the received voice signal. The TCH data may be, for example, DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) or modem data. In the former case, a DTMF receiver / generator is used, and in the latter case, a modem of about 1200 to 2400 bsp is used. Further, when the communication network is a digital network, it is also possible to directly input / output TCH data from the signal processing unit 20 to the communication control unit 11 to transmit / receive it. The control unit 16 controls the TC extracted by the signal processing unit 20.
Based on the CS-ID data of the H data section, it is determined whether or not the wireless base station is in a distance where direct communication is possible, and if direct communication is possible, communication via the wireless base station 5 is performed. Once released, the direct communication between handset units is started.

Whether or not the wireless base station is within a distance capable of direct communication is determined, for example, if direct communication is not possible unless the wireless base station exists in the same service area (same wireless base station). CS of the radio base station with which the caller is communicating
-It may be determined whether the ID data and the received CS-ID data match. If the PHS terminal 6 has the capability of directly communicating even in different service areas, the PHS terminal on the calling side can communicate with the wireless base station with which it is communicating.
It is necessary to know the distance from the radio base station indicated by the S-ID data by some method. This is, for example, PH
In the S terminal 6, the CS-ID data of the wireless base stations that can directly communicate with each wireless base station is stored, and the received CS-
It may be determined based on the ID data. Alternatively, each wireless base station may store CS-ID data of a wireless base station that is in a distance where it can directly communicate with itself, and the wireless base station side may make a determination. In this case, PHS
It is not necessary to make a judgment on the terminal 6 side.

C-2. Operation when Fixed Next, the wireless base station 5 and the PHS terminals 6 on the calling side and the called side in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment described above.
The operation of a and 6b will be described. First, the operation when the calling and called PHS terminals 6a and 6b are present in the same service area will be described. Figure 10
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the calling side PHS terminal 6a according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the called side PHS terminal 6b. In addition, FIG. 12 shows the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side,
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a communication procedure between a called PHS terminal 6b and a wireless base station 5. In the following description, the operation of each unit associated with a telephone call is a normal PH.
Since the operation is the same as that of the S terminal, its explanation is omitted.

When the user performs a predetermined operation for direct communication between the handset units, the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side first makes a normal call via the wireless base station 5 (see FIG. 12). STE
P1). On the other hand, the radio base station 5 is
Incoming call is made to the S terminal 6b (STEP2 in FIG. 12),
When the called PHS terminal 6b responds, normal communication is established. At this time, the PHS terminal 6b on the called side starts the transition to the normal communication, and in step S90 shown in FIG. 11, the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side sends the CS-I.
The D data is notified (STEP 3 in FIG. 12). The CS-
As described above, the ID data is data for identifying the base station, and the CS-ID data makes it possible to know in which base station the PHS terminal 6b on the called side exists.
Next, in step S92, a waiting timer for waiting for reception of the inter-slave unit call start notification message is started. In step S94, in response to the notification of the CS-ID data, it is determined whether or not the inter-slave device call initiation notification message from the calling PHS terminal 6a is received. Then, if the inter-slave unit call start notification message is not received, the determination result in step S94 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S96.

In step S96, the above-described step S
Based on the waiting timer set in 92, it is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred. Then, if it is not a time-out, the determination result in step S96 is "NO", and the process returns to step S94. Hereinafter, the above steps S94 and S9 are performed until the inter-slave unit call start notification message is received.
Repeat 6 If a time-out occurs while waiting for the inter-slave unit call start notification message to be received, the determination result in step S96 is "YE."
S ”, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side, as shown in FIG.
In step S70 shown in 0, the functional channel TCH
It is determined whether or not the CS-ID data is received, based on the data sent by the TCH data section (not shown) of. And if the CS-ID data is not received,
The determination result in step S70 is "NO", and the process ends. On the other hand, when the CS-ID data is received, the determination result in step S70 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, based on the received CS-ID data, it is determined whether the called PHS terminal 6b is in a position where direct communication between handset devices is possible. If direct communication between handset units is not possible,
The determination result in step S72 is "NO", and the process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the direct communication between the child devices is possible, the determination result in step S72 is “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S74. In step S74, the inter-slave unit call initiation notification message is transmitted to the called-side PHS terminal 6b (STEP 4 in FIG. 12).

On the other hand, the called-side PHS terminal 6b
Receives the call initiation notification message between the slaves, the determination result in step S94 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S98. In step S98, the communication line with the base station is released. Next, in step S100, waiting for direct communication between the child devices is started. That is, the carrier assigned to the direct communication between the slaves is searched. Next, in step S102, a timer between slave units is started. The inter-slave unit timer is the PHS terminal 6 on the calling side.
It is a timer for waiting for a call from a. Next, in step S104, it is determined whether or not a call signal from the calling PHS terminal 6a is received. If the call signal is not received, step S104
The result of the determination in step S106 is "NO" and step S106.
Go to. In step S106, the above step S102.
It is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred, based on the inter-slave unit timer started in. Then, if it has not timed out, the determination result in step S106 is "NO", and the process returns to step S104. Hereafter, until the call signal is received or the time-out occurs, step S
104 and S106 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, the calling PHS terminal 6a proceeds from step S74 to step S76, and releases the communication line with the radio base station 5. Next, in step S78, the carrier assigned to the direct communication between the handset units is used to transmit the call signal for the direct communication between the handset units (STEP 5 in FIG. 12). In step S80, a timer between slave units is started. The inter-slave unit timer is a timer for waiting for a response signal from the called-side PHS terminal 6b. Next, in step S82, it is determined whether or not a response signal from the called-side PHS terminal 6b has been received in response to the calling signal. If the response signal is not received, the determination result in step S82 is "N.
O ”, and the process proceeds to step S84. In step S84, it is determined whether a time-out has occurred, based on the inter-slave device timer started in step S80. Then, if the timeout has not occurred, the determination result in step S84 becomes "NO", and the process returns to step S82. Less than,
Steps S82 and S84 are repeatedly executed until a response signal is received or a time-out occurs.

On the other hand, when the called PHS terminal 6b receives the call signal, the result of the determination in step S104 is "YES", and the flow advances to step S108. In step S108, a response signal is transmitted to the calling PHS terminal 6a (STEP 6 of FIG. 12). In step S108, the direct communication between the handset units is performed, and the PH of the calling side is set.
Communication is performed with the S terminal 6a. Similarly, when the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side receives the response signal, the determination result in step S82 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S86. In step S86, direct communication between the handset units is performed, and communication is performed with the PHS terminal 6b on the called side. As a result, the calling and called PHS terminals 6a,
6b directly communicates between terminals without going through the wireless base station 5 (STEP 7 in FIG. 12).

On the other hand, at the called PHS terminal 6b,
If the call signal from the calling PHS terminal 6a is not received and time-out occurs, the determination result in step S106 becomes "YES", and step S112
Go to. In step S112, the standby of the direct communication between the child devices is canceled. Then, in step S114,
The communication via the wireless base station 5 is restored, and the process ends. Also, if the calling PHS terminal 6a does not receive the response signal from the called PHS terminal 6b and times out, the determination result in step S84 becomes "YES", and the process proceeds to step S88. In step S88, the communication via the wireless base station 5 is restored, and the process ends. Therefore, the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the calling side and the called side return to the communication via the wireless base station 5.

In the second embodiment described above, in order to return to the communication via the wireless base station 5 even when the callee side does not respond and the direct communication between the handset units cannot be performed, The processing time from step S76 to step S88 in the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side and the PH on the called side
Steps S98 to S11 in the S terminal 6b
The processing time up to 4 is set shorter than the time required to release communication due to a communication error of the wireless base station 5.

C-2. Operation During Movement Next, FIG. 13 shows the case where the PHS terminal on the called side moves from a position where direct communication between handset units is not possible to a position where direct communication between handset units is possible It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the PHS terminal and base station of the side. In the figure, the calling-side PHS terminal 6a exists in the service area controlled by the radio base station 5a, while the called-side PHS terminal 6b.
Is present in a service area controlled by a radio base station 5b different from the calling PHS terminal 6a. Also,
It is assumed that the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side and the PHS terminal 6b on the called side are sufficiently separated from each other and direct communication between the handset units is impossible. First, the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side makes a normal call via the wireless base stations 5a and 5b, as in the fixed operation described above.
The a and 5b make an incoming call to the PHS terminal 6b on the called side, and when the PHS terminal 6b on the called side responds, normal communication is established via the wireless base stations 5a and 5b (see FIG. 13). S
TEP1). In this state, since the PHS terminal 6b on the called side is in a different service area, direct communication between the handset units cannot be performed.

Here, the PHS terminal 6b on the called side moves and enters the service area of the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side.
When the handover is completed (STEP 2 in FIG. 13), first, according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The S-ID data is transmitted to the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side (STEP 3 in FIG. 13). The PHS terminal 6a on the calling side is
After receiving the CS-ID data and transmitting a call initiation notification message between the handset units via the wireless base station 5a (see FIG. 13).
STEP 4) of step 3), the call signal is directly transmitted to the PHS terminal 6b on the called side (STEP 5 of FIG. 13). On the other hand, the PHS terminal 6b on the called side receives the call signal and then transmits a response signal to the PHS terminal 6a on the calling side (STEP 6 in FIG. 13). When the calling PHS terminal 6a receives the response signal, the calling and called PHS terminals
The terminals 6a and 6b shift to direct communication between the child devices. As a result, the PHS terminals 6a and 6b on the calling side and the called side directly communicate with each other without going through the wireless base station 5a (STEP 7 in FIG. 13).

Although each of the above-described embodiments has been described as an example applied to a PHS terminal, the present invention is not limited to this, and communication for directly communicating between terminals via a communication path via a base station is not performed. Any system or terminal having a path can be applied.

[0045]

According to the present invention, when it is detected that a wireless communication terminal has established communication with another wireless communication terminal via the same base station, the wireless communication terminals directly communicate with each other without using the same base station. Since the communication is switched to the direct communication between the terminals, there is an advantage that the direct call between the terminals can be switched by an easy operation. Further, since the identification data indicating the position of the base station that controls the service area in which the wireless communication terminal exists is transmitted when the direct communication between terminals is performed, it is possible to determine whether the wireless communication terminal is in a close positional relationship. This has the advantage that it can be automatically determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system such as a PHS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PHS terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a call initiation notification message between slaves according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of an incoming call start notification message between slaves according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the PHS terminal on the calling side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the base station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the called-side PHS terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication procedure with a PHS terminal on the calling side, a PHS terminal on the called side, and a base station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PHS terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the PHS terminal on the calling side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the called-side PHS terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a communication procedure among a calling-side PHS terminal, a called-side PHS terminal, and a base station according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates operations of the calling side and called side PHS terminals and the base station when the called side PHS terminal moves to a position where direct communication between handset units is possible in the second embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for doing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 network management station 2 service management station 3 database 4 telephone line network (communication line network) 5 wireless base station (base station) 6 PHS terminal (wireless communication terminal) ANT antenna 10 transceiver unit (first communication means, second communication unit) Communication unit) 11 Communication control unit (first communication unit, second communication unit) 12 Voice processing unit 13 Speaker 14 Microphone 15 Key input unit 16 Control unit (control unit, instruction unit, comparison unit) 17 ROM 18 RAM 19 Display unit 20 Signal processing unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminals wirelessly connected via a base station connected to a communication line network, wherein the wireless communication terminal uses another wireless communication via the same base station. A wireless communication system characterized in that when it is detected that communication with a communication terminal has been established, it shifts to direct communication between terminals in which wireless communication terminals directly communicate with each other without going through the same base station. 2. The wireless communication terminal, when detecting that communication with another wireless communication terminal via the base station is established,
The identification data for identifying the base station in communication is transmitted to the other wireless communication terminal, and the other wireless communication terminal is the base station to which the transmitted identification data and the own wireless communication terminal are connected. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is possible to directly communicate with the wireless communication terminal without going through the base station by comparing the identification data. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication terminal resumes communication via the base station again when the direct communication between the terminals cannot be performed. 4. The wireless communication terminal, when detecting that the base station is moved to complete the handover, transmits the identification data for identifying the base station in communication to the other wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: 5. A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminals wirelessly connected via a base station connected to a communication network, wherein the wireless communication terminal on the calling side is connected via the base station. Sending an instruction signal to the wireless communication terminal on the called side to shift to direct communication between terminals, the wireless communication terminal on the called side, when receiving the instruction signal, of the calling side without going through the base station. A wireless communication system characterized by shifting to a standby state for direct communication with a wireless communication terminal. 6. A first communication means for communicating with another wireless communication terminal via a base station connected to a communication network; and a second communication means for communicating with another wireless communication terminal without passing through the base station.
Communication unit, instructing unit for instructing communication by the second communicating unit, and when instructing communication by the second communicating unit by the instructing unit, another wireless communication terminal by the first communicating unit To the second communication means, the communication by the first communication means is terminated, and the second signal is transmitted to the second communication means.
And a control unit that controls to start communication by the communication unit. 7. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 6, wherein the control means activates the second communication means when the instruction signal is received by the first communication means. 8. The instructing means identifies the base station to which the other terminal is connected and the identification data of the base station to which the other terminal is connected, which is sent from the other terminal by the first communication means. A second comparing unit that compares the data with the second data when the comparing unit matches the identification data.
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 6 or 7, wherein communication is performed by the communication means. 9. The control means returns to the first communication means when detecting that the communication by the second communication means is impossible, and returns to the first communication means. Wireless communication terminal.