KR20030059960A - Home gateway and a method capable of reducing communication cost of mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A communication access apparatus and method for reducing the communication cost of a mobile terminal is provided to cut down communication expenses by connecting a wireless communication equipment, connected to a private network, to a communication equipment through a public network. CONSTITUTION: A communication access apparatus(120) comprises a private network communication module(121), a module control part(123), a public network communication module(125), and a protocol transfer part(127). The private network communication module(121) transmits and receives voice data, containing a paging signal, with a private network, to which wireless communication equipments are connected, by wireless. The module control part(123) controls the private network communication module(121) and the public network communication module(125) so that the voice data transmitted from wireless communication equipments can be transmitted to the communication equipments connected to a public network and the voice data transmitted from the communication equipments connected to the public network can be transmitted to the wireless communication equipments connected to the private network. The public network communication module(125) transmits and receives voice data with the public network. The protocol transfer part(127) mutually converts the protocols of the voice data transmitted/received between the private network and the public network.

Description

Communication access device and method for reducing communication cost of mobile communication terminal {Home gateway and a method capable of reducing communication cost of mobile communication terminal}

The present invention relates to a home gateway connecting a private network to which a wireless communication device is connected to a communication device connected to another private network and / or a public network. More specifically, the mobile communication terminal can be connected to another communication device through a public network. Home gateway and its method.

Typical technologies for which null is used for short-range wireless data communication include IrDA (Infrared Data Assocation), wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11), SWAP, and Bluetooth.

IrDA is able to transmit 11,520 bits of data per second using wireless infrared. IrDA is a Microsoft-involved technology that has been included in Windows 95 since the early 90s and has already been installed in millions of PCs, portable information terminals and mobile phones. However, IrDA has limited usability due to the straightness of infrared rays, which makes it difficult to transmit data even at small angles and small obstacles.

Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) is rapidly becoming an alternative to wired LAN with a transmission speed of 11 Mbps. Applications of wireless LAN have been introduced in places where cables are difficult to install or where aesthetics are important. However, wireless LANs are not used much because of the fact that offices that use a lot of network have less bandwidth than wired LAN and data transmission is interrupted when there is an obstacle.

SWAP is part of Compaq, Ericsson, HP, MS, Motorola, Philips, Piroxim, Symbionix, and is a 'wireless home network' protocol for wireless interconnection of consumer electronics within a maximum radius of 50m with a data rate of 1Mbps. to be. However, due to its high cost and difficulty in setting it up, it has not been put to practical use yet.

Bluetooth is the code name for wireless data communication technology across the telecommunications, networking, computing and consumer goods sectors. Bluetooth technology replaces the need for multiple cable connections between devices through a single wireless connection within short range. For example, if Bluetooth wireless technology is implemented in cell phones and laptop computers, it can be connected and used without cables. Devices that can be part of a Bluetooth system include printers, personal digital assistants, desktops, faxes, keyboards, joysticks, and virtually all digital devices can be part of a Bluetooth system.

In general, Bluetooth has a maximum data rate of 1Mbps and a maximum transmission distance of 10m. 1 Mbps is a frequency in the category of 2.4 GHz Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) frequency band that is available without a user's license, and can be realized easily and at low cost. In addition, the transmission distance of 10 m is determined according to the judgment that the transmission distance between the device that the user is carrying in the office and the PC installed on the desk is sufficient.

In addition, since Bluetooth is designed to operate in a noisy radio frequency environment, by using a frequency hopping method of 1600 times per second, data can be reliably transmitted and received even in a noisy radio frequency. Here, the frequency hopping method is also referred to as a frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) method. In the FHSS scheme, first, a given frequency band is divided into a number of hopping channels, and a predetermined frequency when the primary side modulated signal (intermediate frequency) is converted into a radio frequency (RF) frequency band (2.4 GHz) at the transmitting side. Assign to different hopping channels in order. At this time, the channel to which the signal is assigned is changed at a high speed, thereby reducing the effects of multichannel interference and narrowband impulsive noise. The receiving end recovers the original signal by connecting the received signals distributed in several hopping channels in the same order as in the transmitting end. IEEE 802.11 uses 79 hopping channels, and each hopping channel is arranged at 1 MHz intervals from each other. When a signal is assigned while hopping between several channels, there should be at least 6 MHz gap between two consecutive hopping channels in time to avoid mutual interference, and the speed (hopping rate) of changing hopping channels is defined as 2.5 times per second. It was.

Bluetooth systems not only support one-to-one but also support one-to-multiple connections. In the Bluetooth system, as shown in FIG. 1, several piconets may be organized and connected together, and each piconet is distinguished by a different frequency hopping sequence. Here, the piconet refers to a component unit of a Bluetooth unit formed by connecting one or more slave devices to one master device. One piconet can have one master and up to seven slaves. Here, the master device determines the overall characteristics of the channels in the piconet. The master's Bluetooth device address (BD_ADDR) determines the frequency hopping sequence and channel access code. That is, the clock of the master determines the phase of the hopping train and sets the timing. The master also controls the traffic on the channel. Any device can be a master, and once the piconet is formed, the roles of the master and slave can be changed again.

The master device and the slave device basically perform bidirectional communication by a time division duplex (TDD) in units of one hopping slot (625 μs = 1/1600 seconds). The organization of multiple piconets together is called a scatternet.

2 is a diagram illustrating communication by TDD between a master and a slave. Referring to the figure, the length of each channel allocated to the timeslot is 625 ms. The number of timeslots is determined by the Piconet master's Bluetooth clock. In addition, the timeslot allows the master and the slave to send packets alternatively. That is, the master transmits the packet only in the even numbered timeslot, and the slave transmits the packet only in the odd numbered timeslot. In addition, a packet transmitted by a master or a slave must be implemented within five timeslots. Here, the packet refers to a unit of data transmitted in the piconet channel.

However, the wireless communication system such as Bluetooth has a disadvantage that its allowable range is limited within the range of 10 to 100 m. In order to overcome this drawback, a method of transmitting wireless data over a long distance by combining a wireless communication system with a network system has been sought. One network is connected to another network through a gateway system.

In general, a gateway system refers to a system that is located between communication networks using different data communication protocols and converts data transmitted between communication networks using different protocols into data suitable for each communication network. . In particular, a home gateway is located between the Internet or a wide area service network (external network) and a home network to convert data transmitted between them into data suitable for each network. Therefore, the home gateway should be able to provide independence for each communication network technology so that the private network and the private network or the private network and the public network can flexibly adapt to each other.

The home gateway plays an arbitration role between the Access Gateway Module (AGM), which acts as the end of the external network, and the Premise Network Module (PNM), which acts as the end of the home networking. It consists of Internal Digital Interface (IDI), OS that manages the entire system, and Service Module (SM) that provides other service functions.

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a general network configuration. Referring to the drawings, the devices 15 are interconnected via a home network 20. The home network 20 is connected to the Internet 40 via the home gateway 30. In addition, the remote client 50 is connected to the home gateway 30 via the Internet 40. Herein, the device 10 refers to an information device collectively referred to as an information terminal such as a digital TV, a facsimile, and a computer connected to the home network 20, and the remote client 50 is a computer connected to the Internet 40 as a remote terminal device. , Portable terminal and the like. In this manner, the remote client 50 can transmit and receive data with the local device 10 connected to the home network 20 even at a remote location.

The present invention utilizes the advantages of a wireless communication device and a home gateway, and provides a communication access device and a method for reducing a communication cost by connecting a wireless communication device connected to a private network to a communication device through a public network. have.

1 is a diagram illustrating a scatternet of a Bluetooth system;

2 is a diagram illustrating communication by TDD between a master and a slave;

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a general network configuration diagram;

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a network configuration in which a private network to which a wireless communication device is connected and a public network to which a wireless communication device is connected by a communication access device according to the present invention;

5 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication connection device of FIG. 4;

6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a communication connection method by the apparatus of FIG. 5; and

7 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a communication connection method by the apparatus of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: master 13: slave

110: private network 111, 150: mobile communication device

120: home gateway 130: the Internet

140: base station 160: PSTN

170: wired communication device

Communication connection device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a private network and a wireless network communication module for transmitting and receiving voice data including a call signal wirelessly connected to the communication device, the communication device corresponding to the call signal is connected A public network communication module for transmitting and receiving the voice data to and from the public network, a protocol converter for converting protocols of the voice data transmitted and received between the private network and the public network, and the voice transmitted from the wireless communication device based on the call signal And a module controller for controlling the private network communication module and the public network communication module so that data is transmitted to the communication device and the voice data transmitted from the communication device is transmitted to the wireless communication device. Here, the private network communication module transmits and receives the voice data with the wireless communication device in a Bluetooth wireless communication method.

In addition, the private network communication module, a frequency band conversion unit for converting the frequency band of the voice data transmitted and received with the private network between the RF band and the baseband, and pulse code modulation for modulating the pulse code of the voice data transmitted and received with the private network A part is provided.

The public network communication module may include a signal processor for compressing and restoring the voice data transmitted and received with the public network, and the module controller includes a call signal detection unit for detecting the call signal from the voice data.

On the other hand, according to the communication connection device according to the present invention, wirelessly receiving voice data including a call signal from a private network to which the wireless communication device is connected, the protocol of the voice data received from the private network corresponding to the call signal A protocol conversion step of converting the communication device to be connected to the connected public network, and controlling the private network communication module and the public network communication module to transmit the voice data transmitted from the wireless communication device to the communication device based on the call signal. A communication connection method having a step is provided.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a network configuration in which a private network to which a wireless communication device is connected and a public network are connected by a communication access device according to the present invention. Referring to the figure, the private network 110 is connected to the communication connection device 120, that is, the home gateway. In addition, the communication connection device 120 is connected to the Internet 130, the Internet 130 is connected to the mobile communication terminal 150 through the base station 140. In addition, the Internet 120 is connected to the wired communication terminal 170 through a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 160. Here, the private network 110 is implemented as a wireless network to which the wireless communication terminal 111 is connected, and the wireless communication terminal 111 is preferably implemented as a mobile communication terminal equipped with a wireless communication device, for example, a Bluetooth system.

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the communication connection device of FIG. 4. Referring to the drawings, the communication connection device 120 is a private network communication module 121 for wirelessly transmitting and receiving voice data including a call signal and a private network 110 to which the wireless communication device is connected, the wireless communication device based on the call signal The voice data transmitted from the 111 is a communication device connected to the public network 130, and the voice data transmitted from the communication devices 150 and 170 connected to the public network 130 is a wireless communication device connected to the private network 110. Module control unit 123 for controlling the private network communication module 121 and the public network communication module 125 to be transmitted to the 111, public network communication module 125 for transmitting and receiving voice data with the public network 130, and private network 110 And a protocol conversion unit 127 which mutually converts a protocol of voice data transmitted and received between the public network 130. The private network communication module 121 includes a frequency band converter 121a and a pulse code modulator 121b. The module controller 123 includes a call signal detector 123a. The public network communication module 125 includes a signal processor 125a. Here, the private network communication module 121 transmits and receives voice data with the wireless communication device 111 in a Bluetooth wireless communication method.

The frequency band converter 121a converts a frequency band of voice data transmitted and received between the private network and the RF band and the baseband. The pulse code converter 121b modulates a pulse code of voice data transmitted and received with the private network 120. The call signal detector 123a detects a call signal from voice data transmitted and received with the private network 120. The signal processor 125a performs compression / restore processing of voice data transmitted and received with the public network.

Hereinafter, the operation of the communication connection device according to the present invention in more detail.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a communication connection method by the apparatus of FIG. 5. Referring to the drawing, the mobile communication terminal 111 connected to the private network 110 transmits voice data including a call signal to the communication connection device 120 through a Bluetooth system (not shown). The private network communication module 121 of the communication connection device 120 receives voice data from the mobile communication terminal 111 connected to the private network 110 through a Bluetooth system (not shown) provided (S601). The received voice data is converted into a frequency band from a radio frequency (RF) band to a base band by the frequency band converter 121a provided in the private network communication module 121 (S603). The voice data of which the frequency band is converted is transmitted to the pulse code modulator 121b. The pulse code modulator 121b modulates the pulse code of the received voice data from the radio frequency pulse code to the wire frequency pulse code (S605). The call signal detector 123a provided in the module controller 123 detects a call signal from the voice data in which the pulse code is modulated (S607). The protocol converter 127 converts a protocol of voice data into a protocol of a communication network to which communication devices 150 and 170 corresponding to the call signal are connected according to the pulse code detected by the call signal detector 123a (S609). .

The voice data converted from the protocol is transmitted to the public network communication module 125 by the module controller 123. The signal processor 125a of the public network communication module 125 compresses the received voice data (S611). The module controller 123 controls the private network communication module 121 and the public network communication module 125 so that the compressed voice data is transmitted to the communication devices 150 and 170 corresponding to the call signal (S613). The public network communication module 125 transmits the compressed voice data to the communication devices 150 and 170 corresponding to the call signal through the public network 130. In this case, when the communication device 150 or 170 corresponding to the call signal is the mobile communication terminal 150, the public network communication module 125 performs mobile communication through the compressed voice data through the public network 130 and the base station 140. It transmits to the terminal 150. In addition, when the communication device (150, 170) corresponding to the call signal is the wired communication device 170, the public network communication module 125 is wired communication the compressed voice data through the public network 130 and the PSTN (160) It transmits to the device 170.

As a result, the mobile communication device 111 can transmit voice data through the private network 110 and the public network 130, thereby reducing communication costs as compared with the case of transmitting voice data directly through a satellite or a base station. do.

7 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a communication connection method by the apparatus of FIG. 5. Referring to the drawings, the mobile communication terminal 111 connected to the private network 110 transmits a call signal to the communication connection device 120 through the provided Bluetooth system. The private network communication module 121 of the communication connection device 120 receives a call signal from the mobile communication terminal 111 through the provided Bluetooth system. The private network communication module 121 transmits the received call signal to the public network communication module 125, and the public network communication module 125 transmits the received call signal to the call signal through the public network 130. 170) (S701).

The communication device 150 or 170 corresponding to the call signal receives a call signal through the public network 130, and when the communication device 150 or 170 transmits voice data, transmits the received call signal together with the voice data. do. By the call signal transmitted together, the communication connection device can grasp the addresses of the mobile communication terminal 111 and the communication device 150 or 170.

In this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 111 transmits a call signal first, so that the address of the voice data received from the communication device 150 or 170 connected to the public network 130 can be determined. When the communication device 150 or 170 connected to the communication device 150 or 170 knows the IP address of the communication connection device 120, the communication device 150 or 170 transmits voice data to the communication connection device 120. 120 may find a corresponding slave as a master who knows the address of the slave (here, the mobile communication terminal 111) and transmit the transmitted voice data.

The public network communication module 125 receives voice data including a call signal transmitted from the public network 130 (S703). The signal processor 125a provided in the public network communication module 125 restores voice data received from the public network 130 (S705). The call signal detector 123a included in the module controller 123 detects a call signal from the restored voice data (S707). The protocol conversion unit 127 converts the protocol of the voice data into a protocol of a private network to which the corresponding mobile communication device 111 is connected according to the detected call signal (S709). The voice data converted from the protocol is transmitted to the pulse code modulator 121b provided in the private network communication module 121. The pulse code modulator 121b modulates the pulse code of the received voice data from the wired frequency pulse code to the radio frequency pulse code (S711). The voice data of which the pulse code is modulated is transmitted to the frequency band converter 121a. The frequency band converter 121a converts the frequency band of the voice data from the baseband to the RF band (S713). The module controller 123 controls the private network communication module 121 and the public network communication module 125 so that the voice data received from the public network 130 is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 111 corresponding to the call signal (S715). The private network communication module 121 transmits the converted voice data to the mobile communication device 111 corresponding to the call signal connected to the private network 110.

As a result, the communication connection device 120 may transmit voice data to the mobile communication terminal 111 corresponding to the voice data even when the voice data is received from the public network 130.

According to the present invention, the communication connection device can reduce the communication costs imposed by the mobile communication terminal passing through the satellite or the base station.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications, as well as such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

A private network communication module for wirelessly transmitting and receiving voice data including a call signal and a private network to which a wireless communication device is connected; A public network communication module configured to transmit and receive the voice data and a public network to which a communication device corresponding to the call signal is connected; A protocol converter converting protocols of the voice data transmitted and received between the private network and the public network; And The private network communication module and the public network communication module are controlled to transmit the voice data transmitted from the wireless communication device to the communication device based on the call signal, and the voice data transmitted from the communication device to the wireless communication device. And a module control unit. The method of claim 1, The private network communication module is a communication connection device, characterized in that for transmitting and receiving the voice data with the wireless communication device in a Bluetooth wireless communication method. The method of claim 2, wherein the private network communication module, And a frequency band converter for converting a frequency band of the voice data transmitted and received from the private network to an RF band and a baseband. The method of claim 3, wherein the module control unit, And a call signal detector for detecting the call signal from the voice data. Wirelessly receiving voice data including a call signal from a private network to which the wireless communication device is connected; A protocol conversion step of converting the protocol of the voice data received from the private network to suit a public network to which a communication device corresponding to the call signal is connected; And And controlling a private network communication module and a public network communication module to transmit the voice data transmitted from the wireless communication device to the communication device based on the call signal. The method of claim 5, wherein the voice data receiving step, And converting a frequency band of the voice data received from the private network from an RF band to a base band. The method of claim 6, wherein the protocol conversion step, And a signal processing step of compressing the voice data transmitted to the public network. Transmitting a call signal received from a private network to which the wireless communication device is connected to a public network to which the communication device is connected; Receiving voice data including the call signal from the public network; A protocol conversion step of converting the protocol of the voice data received from the public network to suit the private network; And And controlling the private network communication module and the public network communication module to transmit the voice data transmitted from the communication device to the wireless communication device based on the call signal. And the communication device receives the call signal through the public network and transmits the call signal together when transmitting the voice data.