JPH1032874A - Radio communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication system which does not uselessly increase the maintenance cost of the system. SOLUTION: A master set 10 is provided with an external communication part P which performs two-way communication with an external radio communication line 40 in a time-division multiplexing system and a slave set communication part B which performs two-way communication with more than one slave sets 50 in a time-division multiplexing system and also a frequency hopping system. The master set 10 connects a slave set 50 to the line 40, as need. In the case of the communication between the master set 10 and a slave set 50 and between slave sets 50, the communication is performed without using the line 40. Therefore, the communication between the master set 10 and a slave set 50 and between slave sets 50 is performed without being charged. Furthermore, because frequency hopping at the time of communication between master set-slave set or between slave sets is performed at a timing (shaded part) at which the master set 10 communicates with the line 40, an occupancy time at the time of hopping does not come into a time slot of master set-slave set communication or mutual slave sets communication, so the communication rate can be increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a radio communication system in which an external communication line and a slave unit are communicably connected via a master unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
In a wireless communication system such as a mobile phone or a PHS that connects a communication terminal to an external wireless communication line, a call charge is collected as a usage charge in addition to a basic charge.

However, in such a wireless communication system, for example, when a plurality of users individually own communication terminals, a basic fee is charged for each communication terminal, and a small area is charged. In the case where communication is performed between communication terminals within the network, a communication fee is also added, so that there is a problem that maintenance costs increase.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a wireless communication system in which the maintenance cost of the system is not unnecessarily increased.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention To solve the above problems, a wireless communication system according to claim 1 is
A master unit that performs two-way communication with the external wireless communication line in a time-division manner; and a slave unit that performs two-way communication with the master unit in a time-division manner. And communicatively connected to the device.

In such a wireless communication system, the external wireless communication line is, for example, one in which time zones are sequentially allocated to a plurality of communication devices so that a plurality of communication devices can communicate in a predetermined frequency band. You will be charged for using it. The master unit is capable of two-way communication with the external wireless communication line in a time sharing manner, and the slave unit is capable of two-way communication with the master unit in a time sharing manner. As a result, the master unit communicably connects the external wireless communication line and the slave unit.

According to such a wireless communication system, when the slave accesses the external wireless communication line via the master, the communication costs the external wireless communication line, but the slave is connected to the master. When communication is performed and the external wireless communication line is not accessed, the communication fee does not apply to the external wireless communication line. As described above, since the communication fee for the external wireless communication line is not charged for the call between the slave unit and the master unit, the maintenance cost of the wireless communication system is not unnecessarily increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, the master unit connects the external wireless communication line and the slave unit in a time-division manner. In such a wireless communication system, since the master unit connects the external wireless communication line and the slave unit in a time-division manner, the connection period between the master unit and the external wireless communication line and the connection period between the master unit and the slave unit are time-consuming. Do not overlap. Here, the communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line is performed at a higher output than the communication between the master unit and the slave unit. Even in the frequency band, there is a possibility that communication between the parent device and the child device is obstructed. Therefore, claim 2
Then, the possibility of such interference was avoided by not overlapping the connection periods in time.

According to such a wireless communication system,
An effect is obtained in that communication between the slave units is not likely to be interrupted by communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line. The invention according to claim 3 is the wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein the master unit and the slave unit perform communication between the master unit and the slave unit in a time-division manner and in a frequency hopping manner. Machine
A frequency hop operation is performed during a connection period between external wireless communication lines.

In such a wireless communication system, since communication between the master unit and the slave unit is performed by a frequency hopping method, even if communication between the master unit and the slave unit at a certain frequency is interrupted by a certain jamming radio wave, another frequency is used. Is not affected, the communication is hardly interrupted, and the frequency hops over time, so that a third party cannot easily intercept the communication content.

In the frequency hopping method, after a hop from a certain frequency to the next frequency, a period for stabilizing at the frequency after the hop (hereinafter referred to as an "occupation period") is required. Will be unable to communicate,
If the occupation period exists in the connection period between the parent device and the child device, the transmission / reception slot is eroded correspondingly, and as a result, the transfer rate cannot be sufficiently increased. Here, since the master unit connects the external wireless communication line and the slave unit in a time division manner,
The connection period between the external wireless communication lines and the connection period between the master unit and the slave unit are separated without overlapping in time. Therefore, the parent machine-
Utilizing the connection period between external wireless communication lines, the master unit and the slave unit perform a frequency hop operation and stabilize at the frequency after the hop. Thereby, since there is no occupation time in the connection period between the parent device and the child device, the effect of improving the transfer rate is obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the transmission / reception slot used for communication between the master unit and the slave unit includes:
It is longer than a transmission / reception slot used for communication between external wireless communication lines.

In such a wireless communication system, the transmission / reception slot used for communication between the base unit and the slave unit is made longer than the transmission / reception slot used for communication between the base unit and the external wireless communication line. . Assuming that the same amount of information as in the communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line is transmitted / received in the extended transmission / reception slot, the communication speed between the master unit and the slave unit is equal to the communication speed between the master unit and the external wireless communication line (standards, Is determined to be a predetermined speed). For this reason, an effect is obtained that the device configurations of the master unit and the slave unit are simplified. On the other hand, if the transmission / reception is performed at the same communication speed as the communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line in the longer transmission / reception slot, the degree of compression can be suppressed as compared with the communication between the master unit and the external communication line, and the sound quality is improved. The effect of improving is obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the master unit includes a communication unit including a speaker and a microphone; A communication path switching unit for connecting to an external communication path for connecting to an external wireless communication line to enable external calls or an internal communication path for connecting to the slave unit and enabling internal calls. Features.

In such a wireless communication system, since the base unit has a communication unit, the base unit is directly connected to the external wireless communication line to make an external call, or the base unit and a handset make an internal call. be able to. In the former case, a call fee is imposed because the external wireless communication line is used, but in the latter case, such a call fee is not imposed, so that there is no effect that the maintenance cost of the system is unnecessarily increased. can get.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the master unit includes a communication unit including a speaker and a microphone, and the external wireless communication line. Or a first connecting the slave unit to the communication unit.
A transfer switching unit configured to set the state to a second state in which the external wireless communication line and the slave unit are connected to each other without passing through the communication unit.

In such a wireless communication system, since the master unit has a communication unit, when the master unit is connected to an external wireless communication line or a slave unit (that is, in the first state), an external call or a call is made. Extension calls can be made. On the other hand, when the external wireless communication line and the slave unit are connected without passing through the communication unit (that is, in the second state), the slave unit can perform an outside line call. In this way, the master unit can be used not only as a communication device capable of talking, but also as a relay device for connecting the slave unit and the external wireless communication line.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the master unit performs an external communication for performing wireless communication with the external wireless communication line. And a slave communication unit for performing wireless communication with the slave, and expanding and compressing the input signal from the external communication unit and outputting the compressed signal to the slave communication unit, and from the slave communication unit. A compression / expansion unit that expands and then compresses and outputs the input signal to the external communication unit, when connecting the external communication unit and the slave unit communication unit, with or without connection via the compression / expansion unit A connection switching unit for switching whether to connect.

In such a wireless communication system, when the master unit operates as a repeater, for example, when exchanging audio data signals between the external wireless communication line and the slave unit, the connection switching unit controls the external unit via the compression / decompression unit. When exchanging non-voice data signals (fax data signals, PC data signals, etc.) between the external wireless communication line and the slave unit by connecting the wireless communication line and the slave unit, the connection switching unit does not pass through the compression / decompression unit. Connect the external wireless communication line and the slave unit. In the former case, the transfer rate of the audio data signal is improved as a result, and in the latter case, there is no need to perform compression / expansion, so that signals are exchanged without performing compression / expansion.

According to this wireless communication system, the provision of the connection switching unit enables the determination as to whether or not to perform compression / expansion according to the type of communication signal exchanged between the external wireless communication line and the slave unit. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained. The invention according to claim 8 is the wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the master unit supplies power necessary for connection with the external communication line and the slave unit. Power supply control means for controlling supply of power required for connection with the external communication line, and the power supply control means supplies only power necessary for connection with the external communication line when the master unit is connected to the external communication line. When the master unit and the slave unit are connected to each other, the power supply control unit supplies only power necessary for connection with the slave unit.

According to such a wireless communication system, unnecessary power is not supplied, so that labor can be saved, and the time during which a call can be made with a single charge or the time during which a standby can be made can be extended. Is obtained. A ninth aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein a plurality of the slave units are provided.

According to such a wireless communication system, no communication charge is charged for communication between each slave unit and the master unit, so that an effect that the maintenance cost of the system does not increase unnecessarily can be obtained. Note that the master unit may enable the slave units to communicate with each other in a time-division multiplexing manner, or a frequency hopping pattern used for communication between the slave unit and the slave unit and a frequency hopping pattern used for communication between the master unit and the slave unit. May be set to different patterns to enable communication between slave units.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention
It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can take various forms within the technical scope of the present invention. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The wireless communication system according to the first embodiment has an external wireless communication line 4.
0, one master device 10, and one slave device 50.

The external wireless communication line 40 is a line in which time zones are sequentially allocated to a plurality of communication devices, and a plurality of communication devices can communicate in a predetermined frequency band. Is imposed. Here 1
8 slots per frame (transmission slots TX1
TX4 and reception slots RX1 to RX4).

The base unit 10 includes a communication unit 11 and a communication path switching unit 1
5, transfer switching unit 20, external companding unit 28, external communication unit P, compensating unit 31 for slave unit, communicating unit B for slave unit, power supply unit for RF 3
4. A controller 35 is provided. The communication unit 11 has a configuration in which a speaker 12 and a microphone 13 are connected to a codec 14 as an A / D mutual converter. The codec 14 is connected to a communication path switching unit 15. The communication path switching unit 15 is a switch for connecting the input / output terminal 16 to the codec 14 to either the first external terminal 17 or the first internal terminal 18. It becomes a state connectable to the wireless communication line 40 (hereinafter referred to as “outline state”), and the first extension terminal 1
8 is switched to a state where the communication unit 11 can be connected to the slave unit 50 (hereinafter referred to as “extension state”). The communication path switching unit 15 is connected to the transfer switching unit 20.

The transfer switching unit 20 includes a second external terminal 21 connected to the first external terminal 17, a second internal terminal 22 connected to the first internal terminal 18, and two relays connected to the buffer 23. Terminals 24 and 25, an external terminal 26 connected to the external communication unit P side, and a slave terminal 27 connected to the slave communication unit B side are provided. This transfer switching unit 20
A state in which the external terminal 26 is connected to the second external terminal 21 and the slave terminal 27 is connected to the second internal terminal 22 (hereinafter referred to as a “first state”, which is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1); The external terminal 26 can be switched to any of the states in which the external terminal 26 is connected to the relay terminal 24 and the slave terminal 27 is connected to the relay terminal 25 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second state”, which is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). .

An external terminal 26 of the transfer switching unit 20 is connected to an external companding unit 28 for performing compression and expansion suitable for communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line.
Is connected to an external communication unit P for performing wireless communication with the external wireless communication line 40. The external communication unit P modulates an input signal from the external companding unit 28 by a predetermined method and transmits the modulated signal from the antenna 30, while demodulating a signal received from the antenna 30 by a predetermined method and modulates the external signal by the predetermined method. This is output to the extension unit 28.

The terminal 27 for the slave unit of the transfer switching unit 20
Is connected to a child device expansion / compression unit 31 that performs compression / expansion suitable for communication between the parent device and the child device, and the child device expansion / compression unit 31 It is connected to the communication unit B. The slave unit communication unit B is a communication unit of a so-called frequency hopping system, and modulates an input signal from the slave unit companding unit 31 into an intermediate frequency signal, and then does not illustrate a frequency corresponding to the frequency hopping pattern. The signal is supplied to an oscillator such as a PLL, and the frequency is converted by the frequency output from the oscillator and transmitted from the antenna 33. On the other hand, the input signal from the antenna 33 gives a frequency corresponding to the frequency hopping pattern to the oscillator, converts the frequency by the frequency output from the oscillator to an intermediate frequency signal, and then demodulates it and outputs it to the compander 31 for the slave unit. I do.

The RF power supply unit 34 is arranged to supply power to the external communication unit P and the slave unit communication unit B. The external communication unit P is provided with an external communication switch 29a that controls supply / non-supply of power from the RF power supply unit 34,
Supply of power from the RF power supply unit 34 to the slave unit communication unit B
A slave communication switch 32a for controlling non-supply is provided. However, power is always supplied to the carrier generator and the oscillator (not shown) by the RF power supply unit 34.

The controller 35 includes a well-known CPU and RO.
M, RAM, clock, etc.
4, communication path switching unit 15, transfer switching unit 20, buffer 2
3, external companding section 28, external communication section P, companding section 3 for slave unit
1. Connected to the slave unit communication section B so that signals can be input and output. The controller 35 controls each unit according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown).
The ROM of the controller 35 has, for example, the following Table 1.
Is stored, and the frequencies are read out in the order of the hop numbers in the table (the hop number 1 is followed by the hop number 1 again).
Back to).

[0031]

[Table 1]

The slave unit 50 includes a communication unit 51 and a compression / expansion unit 5.
5, a communication unit H and an antenna 57 are provided. Call part 5
Reference numeral 1 denotes a speaker 52 and a microphone 53 connected to a codec 54 as an A / D mutual converter. The compression / expansion unit 55 performs compression / expansion suitable for communication between the master unit and the slave unit, compresses an input signal from the codec 54 and outputs the signal to the communication unit H side, and receives an input from the communication unit H side. The signal is expanded and output to the codec 54. The communication unit H is for wirelessly transmitting and receiving between the parent device and the child device via the antenna 57 by the frequency hopping method.
Is configured in substantially the same manner as the slave unit communication unit B provided in.

Further, a frequency band used for communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line and a frequency band used for communication between the master unit and the slave unit (a band spread by a frequency hopping pattern).
And are set not to overlap. Note that the same frequency hopping pattern as that of master device 10 (see Table 1) is used.

Next, a communication method of the wireless communication system of this embodiment will be described. First, an extension call between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50 will be described. In this case, the controller 35 of the base unit 10 turns off the external communication switch 29a,
The handset communication switch 32a is set to ON, and power is supplied only from the RF power supply unit 34 to the handset communication unit B. Further, the communication path switching unit 15 is set to the extension state, and the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the first state indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

The audio signal from the microphone 53 of the slave unit 50 is
The data is digitized by the codec 54, compressed by the compression / decompression unit 55, spread by the communication unit H by the frequency hopping method, and transmitted from the antenna 57 to the parent device 10. The transmission signal is received by the antenna 33 of the base unit 10, despread by a frequency hopping method in the slave unit communication unit B, extracted as a digital signal, expanded by the expansion unit 31 for the slave unit, and transferred. From the terminal 27 for the slave unit to the second extension terminal 22 of the switching unit 20, and further to the first extension terminal 18 of the communication path switching unit 15.
Is transmitted to the codec 14 via the input / output terminal 16,
The codec 14 converts the signal into an analog signal and outputs the sound from the speaker 12.

On the other hand, the audio signal from the microphone 13 of the master unit is digitized by the codec 14 and
5 from the input / output terminal 16 to the first extension terminal 18, and further from the second extension terminal 22 of the transfer switching unit 20 to the slave unit expansion unit 31 via the slave unit terminal 27. The data is compressed at 31, spread by the handset communication unit B by the frequency hopping method, and transmitted from the antenna 33 to the handset 50.
This transmission signal is received by the antenna 57 of the slave 50,
The signal is despread by the frequency hopping method in the communication unit H, is taken out as a digital signal, is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 55, is converted into an analog signal by the codec 54, and is output as sound from the speaker 52.

Next, an external call between the slave unit 50 and the external wireless communication line 40 will be described. In this case, the controller 35 of the master unit 10 sets the external communication switch 29a and the slave unit communication switch 32a to be turned on alternately in a time-division manner, and the RF power supply unit 34 outputs the external communication unit P and the slave unit communication unit B. Are supplied alternately in a time-division manner. Further, the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the second state indicated by the solid line in FIG.

The audio signal from the microphone 53 of the slave unit is digitized by the codec 54, compressed by the compression / decompression unit 55, spread by the communication unit H by the frequency hopping method, and transmitted from the antenna 57 to the master unit 10. You. The transmission signal is received by the antenna 33 of the base unit 10, despread by a frequency hopping method in the slave unit communication unit B, extracted as a digital signal, expanded by the expansion unit 31 for the slave unit, and transferred. From the terminal 27 for the slave unit of the switching unit 20 to the relay terminal 2
After that, the data is temporarily stored in the buffer 23. Thereafter, the data is read out from the buffer 23 as appropriate, and is compressed by the external compander 28 from the relay terminal 24 via the external terminal 26,
The signal is transmitted from the antenna 30 to the external wireless communication line 40 by the external communication unit P.

On the other hand, the radio wave from the external wireless communication line 40 is received by the antenna 30 of
, And is extracted as a digital signal, decompressed by an external companding unit 28, and temporarily stored in a buffer 23 from an external terminal 26 of the transfer switching unit 20 via a relay terminal 24. Thereafter, the data is read from the buffer 23 as appropriate, compressed by the compander 31 for the handset, spread by the handset communication unit B by the frequency hopping method, and transmitted from the antenna 33 to the handset 50. This transmission signal is received by the antenna 57 of the slave unit 50, despread by the communication unit H by the frequency hopping method, and is taken out as a digital signal.
The signal is expanded by the compression / expansion unit 55, converted into an analog signal by the codec 54, and output as sound from the speaker 52.

Next, an external call between the master unit 10 and the external wireless communication line 40 will be described. In this case, the controller 35 of the master unit 10 sets the external communication switch 29a on and the slave unit communication switch 32a off.
The power supply unit 34 supplies power only to the external communication unit P. Further, the communication path switching unit 15 is set to the outside line state, and the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the first state indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

The audio signal from the microphone 13 of the master unit is digitized by the codec 14, the input / output terminal 16 of the communication path switching unit 15 is connected to the first external terminal 17, and the transfer switching unit 20.
Is transmitted from the second external terminal 21 to the external companding unit 28 via the external terminal 26, is compressed by the external companding unit 28, and is transmitted from the antenna 30 to the external wireless communication line 40 by the external communication unit P. You.

On the other hand, the audio signal from the external wireless communication line 40 is received by the antenna 30 of the base unit 10, received by the external communication unit P and extracted as a digital signal, and then expanded by the external companding unit 28. The signal is transmitted from the external terminal 26 of the transfer switching unit 20 to the second external terminal 21, and further from the first external terminal 17 of the communication path switching unit 15 to the codec 14 via the input / output terminal 16. The converted voice is output from the speaker 12.

As described above, since the child device 50 can access the external wireless communication line 40 via the parent device 10,
0 does not charge a basic fee as compared to a case where the device directly accesses the external wireless communication line 40 (that is, only a basic fee for one vehicle is charged). In addition, since communication between the master unit and the slave unit does not use the external wireless communication line 40, no call charge is imposed. As a result, an effect is obtained that the communication cost of the entire wireless communication system is reduced. In addition, when the RF power supply unit 34 does not use any of the external communication unit P and the slave unit communication unit B, power is not supplied to the unused side, thereby saving power. Possible or standby time can be extended.

Next, the communication procedure of the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, an internal call between a parent device and a child device and an external call between a child device and an external wireless communication line will be described by taking as an example a case where a child device makes a call.

First, the processing of master device 10 will be described. The controller 35 determines whether there is a call from the slave unit 50 (S101), and if there is no call (N in S101).
O), returning to S101 again, if there is a call (S1)
01 (YES), a call code corresponding to a call switch (not shown) of the child device 50 is extracted and its type is determined (S).
102). This calling code is a signal transmitted from the slave unit 50 to the base unit 10 depending on whether the call switch of the slave unit 50 is set to the extension or the outside line, and includes the extension calling code or the outside line calling code. Either.

If the calling code is an outside line calling code in S102, the controller 35 sets so that a telephone call between the slave unit and the external wireless communication line is enabled (S103).
That is, the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the second state (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). Then, the external communication switch 29a
Is turned on and the external wireless communication line 40 is
(S105). And external wireless communication line 4
Then, the external communication switch 29a is turned off and the slave unit communication switch 32a is turned on, and the slave unit communication unit B performs transmission and reception with the slave unit 50 in a time sharing manner (S10).
6, S107), then turns off the slave unit communication switch 32a and turns on the external communication switch 29a to transmit the signal to the external wireless communication line 40 by the external communication unit P and to transmit the frequency to the oscillator (not shown) of the slave unit communication unit B. The frequency in the next row of the hopping pattern is given, and the frequency is hopped (S1
08).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the call has ended (S109). If the call has not ended (NO in S109), the process returns to S105. At this time, after the processing in S108, the oscillator in the slave communication unit B of the master 10
Stabilize at the frequency after the hop before the processing of 05.
On the other hand, if the call is terminated in S109 (Y in S109)
ES), and return to S101 again.

If the calling code is an extension calling code in S102, a setting is made so that a telephone call between the master unit and the slave unit is enabled (S113). That is, the external communication switch 29a is turned off, the slave unit communication switch 32a is turned on, the communication path switching unit 15 is set to the extension state, and the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the first state (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1). . Next, transmission / reception with the slave unit 50 is performed in a time-division manner in the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 (S116, S117), and then an oscillator (not shown) of the slave unit communication unit B transmits the next row of the frequency hopping pattern. A frequency is given, and the frequency is hopped (S118). afterwards,
It is determined whether or not the call has ended (S119). If the call has not ended (NO in S119), S116 is performed again.
Return to On the other hand, if the call ends in S119 (S1
19 is YES), and returns to S101.

Next, processing of the slave unit will be described. The controller (not shown) of the slave unit 50 (connected to each unit so that signals can be input and output) determines whether to call the base unit 10 (S201), and if not calling the base unit 10 (NO in S201). ), Returning to S201, if the base unit 10 is called (YES in S201), a call code corresponding to a call switch (not shown) of the handset 50 is transmitted to the base unit 10 (S202). Thereafter, the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10
Then, it is connected to the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and performs reception and transmission in a time-division manner (S206, S207). And hops to the same frequency as the parent device 10 (S208). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the call has ended (S209). If the call has not ended (NO in S209), the process returns to S206. At this time, after the processing in S208, the oscillator in the communication unit H performs S
Before the process of step 206, the frequency is stabilized at the frequency after the hop. On the other hand, if the call is terminated in S209 (S209
YES), and returns to S201.

Next, a time chart when an external telephone call (wireless communication) is performed between the slave unit 50 and the external wireless communication line 40 via the master unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the time chart of FIG. 3, the external wireless communication line 40 has eight slots (transmission slot TX) in one frame.
1 to TX4 and reception slots RX1 to RX4), and can communicate with a plurality of communication terminals in a time-division multiplexing method, two of which (transmission slots TX1 and TX1).
The reception slot RX1) is allocated for communication with the master unit 10.

Similarly to the external wireless communication line 40, the external communication unit P of the master unit 10 also has eight slots in one frame, receives from the transmission slot TX1 of the external wireless communication line 40 in the reception slot RP1, and receives the transmission slot TP1. At the reception slot RX1 of the external wireless communication line 40, and the other slots are empty slots.

After the master unit 10 has finished receiving from the transmission slot TP1 of the external wireless communication line 40 in the reception slot RP1, the received content is transmitted from the transmission slot TB1 of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 to the communication of the slave unit 50. Receiving slot RH of part H
1 is transmitted. Next, the transmission is performed from the transmission slot TH1 of the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 to the reception slot RB1 of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10. The transmission / reception slot (T
B1, RB1, RH1, and TH1) are the lengths of the transmission / reception slots (RP1, TP) in the master unit-external wireless communication line.
1) It is longer than the length. For this reason, if the compression ratio in both communications is the same, the communication speed between the master unit and the slave unit can be lower than the communication speed between the master unit and the external wireless communication line. Is simplified.

Now, the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50
Immediately after the connection with the communication unit H is completed, both give the frequency in the next row of the frequency hopping pattern to the oscillator and hop the frequency. At the same time, master device 10 transmits the content received from transmission slot TP1 of external communication unit P to reception slot RB1 of slave unit communication unit B to reception slot RX1 of external wireless communication line 40. Here, the oscillators (not shown) of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 receive the next row of frequencies, and then the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50 next time. The frequency may be stabilized at the frequency until the transmission / reception with the communication unit H starts (indicated by hatching in FIG. 3). Therefore, an inexpensive oscillator can be used, and the manufacturing cost of the master unit 10 and the slave unit 50 is reduced. In this case, the external communication switch 29a and the slave unit communication switch 32a are always on.

When base unit 10 makes an outside call,
Since transmission / reception is performed between the external wireless communication line 40 and the external communication unit P of the master unit 10, the time chart is as shown in the upper two stages in FIG. Further, when an extension call is performed between the base unit 10 and the slave unit 50, transmission and reception are performed between the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the communication unit H of the slave unit 50. The chart is as shown in the lower two tiers of FIG.

The above description has been made on the case where the slave unit makes a call. When the external wireless communication line makes a call, the following is performed. That is, when there is a call from the external wireless communication line 40 to the base unit 10, the controller 35 of the base unit 10
0, and both the slaves 50 are sounded. When the master unit 10 responds, the external communication switch 29a is turned on, the slave unit communication switch 32a is turned off, the communication path switching unit 15 is set to the outside line state, and the transfer switching unit 20 is set to the first state. Part P
To communicate with the external wireless communication line 40 (the time chart at this time is as shown in the upper two rows in FIG. 3). on the other hand,
When the child device 50 responds, the processes of S103 to S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 are performed (the time chart at this time is the same as that of FIG. 3).

As described above, since the base unit 10 connects the external wireless communication line 40 and the slave unit 50 in a time-division manner, the connection period between the master unit and the external wireless communication line and the master unit-slave unit Do not overlap in time. Here, the communication between the master unit and the external wireless communication line is performed at a higher output than the communication between the master unit and the slave unit.
Even if both communications are performed in different frequency bands, there is a possibility that the communication between the master unit and the slave unit may be interrupted. Absent.

Further, since the communication between the base unit and the slave unit is performed by the frequency hopping method, even if the communication between the base unit and the slave unit of a certain frequency is interrupted by a certain interference wave, the communication of the other frequency is affected. The communication is hardly interrupted, and the frequency hops with time, so that even if a third party tries to intercept the communication content, it cannot be intercepted easily.

Further, in the frequency hopping method, an occupation period for stabilizing the frequency after the hop is required.
Utilizing the connection period between the master unit and the external wireless communication line, the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 perform a frequency hop operation and are stabilized at the frequency after the hop. Therefore, there is no occupation time in the connection period between the parent device and the child device, and as a result, the transfer rate is improved.

As a modification (part 1) of the above embodiment, when the slave unit 50 and the external wireless communication line 40 perform an outside line call (wireless communication) via the master unit 10, a time chart of FIG. May be performed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG.
The data is received from the external wireless communication line 40 in the reception slot RP1 of the external communication unit P of the master device 10. Slave unit communication unit B of master unit 10
The communication unit H of the slave unit 50 does not perform communication during this time (indicated by hatching in FIG. 4), performs a frequency hop operation using this time, and stabilizes at the frequency after the hop.

Subsequently, the content received in the receiving slot RP1 of the master unit 10 is changed from the transmission slot TB1 of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 to the reception slot RH1 of the communication unit H of the slave unit 50.
Sent to At this time, the transmission / reception slots TB1, RH
1 is set to the time from the end of the reception slot RP1 of the external communication unit P of the master unit 10 to the start of the next transmission slot TP1. That is, the number of transmission / reception slots (TB1, RH1) used for communication between the parent device and the child device is three times as large as the number of transmission / reception slots (RP1, TP1) used for communication between the parent device and the external wireless communication line. I have.

Subsequently, in the transmission slot TP1 of the external communication unit P of the master unit 10, the master unit 10 transmits the content (stored in the buffer 23) received from the slave unit 50 last time to the external wireless communication line 40. During this time, the communication between the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 is not performed.

Subsequently, from the transmission slot TH1 of the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 to the reception slot R of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10
Sent to B1. At this time, the transmission / reception slot TH1,
RB1 is set to the same length as the transmission / reception slots TB1, RH1. At this time, the content received in the reception slot RB1 of the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 is stored in the buffer 2
3 and transmitted to the external wireless communication line 40 in the next transmission slot TP1.

According to the first modification, FIG.
By performing communication between the slave unit and the external wireless communication line according to the time chart, substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and the transmission / reception slot used for communication between the master unit and the slave unit can be increased. If the compression rate in both communications is the same, the communication speed between the master unit and the slave unit can be lower than the communication speed between the master unit and the external wireless communication line.
The device configurations of the parent device 10 and the child device 50 are further simplified. Also, high reliability such as adding an error correction code can be realized.

Next, a modification (No. 2) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, when transmitting the content previously received from the child device 50 to the reception slot RX1 of the external wireless communication line 40 in the transmission slot TP1 of the external communication unit P of the parent device 10, the child device of the parent device 10 Communication section B
And the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 do not perform communication, perform a frequency hop operation using this period, and stabilize at a frequency after the hop. Other than this, it is the same as the time chart of FIG. According to this modification (No. 2), the frequency of frequency hopping increases, so that the confidentiality of communication contents is improved, the probability of avoiding interference is increased, and the reliability of communication is improved.

Next, a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, during the communication period (during the connection period) between the external communication unit P of the base unit 10 and the external wireless communication line 40, the slave unit communication unit B of the base unit and the communication unit H of the slave unit do not perform communication, and Waiting without hopping.
Then, the reception slot RP1 of the external communication unit P of the base unit 10
From the end of the transmission slot to the start of the transmission slot TP1,
The slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 and the communication unit H of the slave unit 50 are connected, frequency hopping (indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 6), transmission slot TB1-reception slot RH1 communication, reception slot RB1-transmission slot The communication of TH1 is performed for two cycles or more (two cycles in FIG. 6) as one cycle. In this case, the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10 has two reception slots RB
1, the data received from the slave unit 50 in the RB2 is temporarily stored in the buffer 23, and the data is collectively collected in the next transmission slot TP1 of the external communication unit P.
Send to According to this modification (No. 3), the frequency of frequency hopping increases, so that the probability of avoiding jamming radio waves and the confidentiality are improved, and the reliability of communication is improved. [Second Embodiment] The configuration of the wireless communication system of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.
It will be described based on.

In the base unit 10, a connection switching unit 36 is provided between the external companding unit 28 and the external communication unit P, and a connection is provided between the subunit companding unit 31 and the subunit communication unit B. A switching unit 37 is provided. Between these connection switching units 36 and 37,
A speed converter 38 for enabling data transmission between the slave 50 and the external wireless communication line 40 is provided. The connection switching unit 36 is a switch for switching whether to connect the external communication unit P to the external companding unit 28 or the speed conversion unit 38. The connection switching unit 37 switches the slave unit communication unit B to the slave unit. A switch for switching between connection to the companding unit 31 and connection to the speed conversion unit 38.

The connection switching units 36 and 37 and the speed conversion unit 38 are all connected by a controller 35 so that signals can be input and output, and their operations are controlled. Further, the external companding portion 28 and the child device companding portion 31 correspond to a compressing / expanding portion of claim 7. On the other hand, in the slave unit 50, a connection switching unit 58 is provided between the compression / expansion unit 55 and the communication unit H.
The connection switching unit 58 is a switch that switches whether the communication unit H is connected to the compression / decompression unit 55 or the data interface 59. The data interface 59 is an interface that can be connected to a non-voice output unit such as a personal computer or a facsimile machine.

The slave unit 50 includes a data type switch (not shown) for manually switching between a signal to be transmitted and a non-voice signal (for example, PC data or facsimile data). A call switch (not shown) for manually switching between an internal call and an external call when used as a telephone is provided.

The communication method of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the processing of master device 10 will be described. Here, a description will be given assuming that a slave exists in addition to the slave 50.
The controller 35 of the parent device 10 determines whether or not there is a call from the child device (S301), and if there is no call (S3).
01 (NO in S301), and returns to S301 again. If there is a call (YES in S301), the ID, data type code, and call code of the child device are extracted (S302). In addition,
When calling base unit 10, it transmits its own ID signal, a data type code corresponding to the data type switch, and an extension call code or an outside line call code corresponding to the call switch.

Subsequently, the model of the slave unit is determined based on the ID (S303). That is, the relationship between the ID of the slave unit and the model is registered in the controller 35 of the master unit 10 in advance, and the model of the slave unit is determined by the ID based on the registration data. If the child device is a non-voice dedicated device (for example, a PC or a facsimile dedicated device) in S303, the parent device 10
Are set to connect the non-voice side, that is, the external communication unit P, the speed conversion unit 38, and the slave unit communication unit B (S305). Next, the controller 35
Since the base unit 10 of the present embodiment cannot output non-voice data, it is set so that communication between the slave unit and the external wireless communication line is enabled (S308), that is, the external communication switch 29a. On, slave unit communication switch 3
After setting 2a to ON and setting the transfer switching unit 20 to the second state (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7), the processing from S315 to S319 is performed. The processing of S315 to S319 is the same as the processing of S105 to S109 in the flowchart of FIG. After the communication is completed (YES in S319), the process returns to S301.

On the other hand, if the slave unit is a voice only unit (for example, a telephone only unit) in S303, the connection switching unit 3 of the base unit 10
6, 37 are set so as to connect the audio side, that is, connect the external communication unit P and the external companding unit 28, and connect the slave unit communication unit B and the companding unit 31 for slave unit (S306). Next, the type of the calling code from the slave unit is determined (S307). If the calling code is an outside line calling code, the controller 35 is set to enable communication between the slave unit and the external wireless communication line. (S308) The processing of S315 to S319 is performed. On the other hand, if the calling code from the slave unit is an extension calling code in S307, the controller 35 sets the communication between the slave unit and the base unit so as to enable communication (S309), that is, the external communication switch 29a. Is turned off, the slave unit communication switch 32a is turned on, the communication path switching unit 15 is in the extension state,
The transfer switching unit 20 is in the first state (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 7).
After that, the processing of S326 to S329 is performed.
Steps S326 to S329 are the same as steps S116 to S119 in the flowchart of FIG. 2, and a description thereof will be omitted. After the communication is completed (S32
9 is YES), and returns to S301.

On the other hand, if the handset is a shared machine (for example, a telephone with a facsimile function) in S303, the type of the data type code transmitted from the handset is determined (S30).
4). If the data type code is a non-voice code, S
305 and the following processing, and if it is a voice code, S306
The following processing is performed.

Next, the processing of the slave unit 50 will be described.
The controller (not shown) of the slave unit 50 (connected to each unit so that signals can be input and output) determines whether to call the base unit 10 (S401), and if not calling the base unit 10 (NO in S401). ), Returning to S401, if calling base unit 10 (YES in S401), transmits ID, data type code, and calling code to base unit 10 (S40).
2). Thereafter, after synchronization with the slave unit communication unit B of the master unit 10, the processing of S406 to S409 is performed. This S406-
The processing in S409 is the same as S206 to S209 in FIG. 2 and thus will not be described. If the call is ended in S409 (YES in S409), the process returns to S401.

In the second embodiment, a time chart similar to that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Also, by providing the connection switching units 36 and 37 (corresponding to the connection switching unit of the present invention), whether to perform compression / expansion in accordance with the type of communication signal exchanged between the external wireless communication line and the slave unit is determined. Can be determined. Furthermore,
Modifications similar to the modifications (1 to 3) of the first embodiment can be adopted.

In the wireless communication system of each of the above embodiments, a single master unit may have a plurality of slave units. For example, when a group consisting of a plurality of members communicates via an external wireless communication line, if each member owns a mobile phone, etc., a basic fee is charged for each mobile phone, and the communication cost as a whole is increased. Becomes very large. In addition, communication between members is charged via the external wireless communication line. On the other hand, when the wireless communication system of the above embodiment includes a plurality of slave units, only one master unit can be connected to the external wireless communication line, and the other slave units can be connected to the master unit. Any of the slave units can be connected to the external wireless communication line via the master unit.
As a result, the communication cost is low because only the basic charge for one vehicle is used. In addition, if the communication between the members is performed directly between the slaves (using different frequency hopping patterns) or the connection between the slaves is performed by the time division multiplexing method via the master, the external wireless communication is performed. Because it does not pass through a line, it becomes extremely cheap.

For example, this is extremely effective when the master unit is installed in a vehicle or the like, and members move around and communicate with each other.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a parent device and a child device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a time chart of communication between the slave unit and the external wireless communication line according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of a modified example (part 1) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of a modified example (No. 2) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of a modified example (part 3) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a parent device and a child device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: master unit, 11: communication unit, 12: speaker, 13: microphone, 14: codec, 15
..Communication path switching unit, 20 ... Transfer switching unit, 23 ...
Buffer, 28: external companding unit, 29a: external communication switch, 30: antenna, 31: slave unit companding unit, 32a: slave unit communication switch, 33・
-Antenna, 34-RF power supply unit, 35-Controller, 36, 37-Connection switching unit, 38-Speed conversion unit, 40-External wireless communication line, 50-Child Machine, 51: communication unit, 52: speaker, 53 ...
-Microphone, 54-Codec, 55-Compression / expansion unit, 57-Antenna, 58-Connection switching unit, 59
... data interface, B ... slave unit communication unit, H
... Communication unit, P ... External communication unit.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A master unit that performs two-way communication with an external wireless communication line in a time-division manner; and a slave unit that performs two-way communication with the master unit in a time-division manner. A wireless communication system, wherein a communication line and the slave unit are communicably connected. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the master unit connects the external wireless communication line and the slave unit in a time-division manner.
A wireless communication system as described. 3. The master unit and the slave unit perform communication between the master unit and the slave unit in a time-division manner and a frequency hopping manner, and perform a frequency hop operation during a connection period between the master unit and the external wireless communication line. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The transmission / reception slot used for communication between the parent device and the child device is longer than the transmission / reception slot used for communication between the parent device and the external wireless communication line. The wireless communication system according to claim 3. 5. The base unit comprises: a communication unit including a speaker and a microphone; and an external communication line connecting the communication unit to the external wireless communication line to enable external line communication or an extension line connected to the slave unit. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a communication path switching unit that connects to any one of extension communication paths that enable a call. 6. The master unit includes: a calling unit including a speaker and a microphone; a first state in which the external wireless communication line or the slave unit is connected to the calling unit; or the external wireless communication line and the slave unit. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a transfer switching unit configured to be set to one of a second state in which the connection is established without passing through the communication unit. 7. An external communication unit for performing wireless communication with the external wireless communication line, a slave communication unit for performing wireless communication with the slave, and an input from the external communication unit. A compression / expansion unit that expands a signal and outputs the signal to the slave communication unit while compressing the signal, and expands an input signal from the slave communication unit and compresses and outputs the signal to the external communication unit; And a connection switching unit that switches between connection via the compression / decompression unit and connection without the connection when connecting the slave unit communication unit. A wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 8. The power supply control means for controlling supply of power required for connection with the external communication line and supply of power required for connection with the slave unit, wherein the power supply control means comprises: When the master unit is connected to the external communication line, only the power necessary for connection to the external communication line is supplied, and when the master unit is connected to the slave unit, the power supply control unit connects the slave unit to the slave unit. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein only a power supply required for connection is supplied. 9. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the slave units are provided.