WO2012111341A1

WO2012111341A1 - Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and wireless communication method

Info

Publication number: WO2012111341A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/001043
Authority: WO
Inventors: 卓川村; 公之田子; 玲川村; 浩司幡野; 剛二文字屋
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-18
Filing date: 2012-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-23
Also published as: JP2012175288A

Abstract

A smartphone (20) employs power-saving infrared communication to notify a smartpad (10) by means of a WLAN as to whether or not a 3G communication unit (208) thereof can communicate with a 3G base station (400). On the other hand, the smartpad (10) notifies the smartphone (20) by means of the WLAN or by means of infrared communication of an instruction to commence transfer performed by a data transfer unit (214).

Description

Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method

The present invention provides a wireless communication system including a wireless communication device having a wireless communication function such as WLAN (wireless LAN), infrared communication, and Bluetooth (registered trademark) in addition to a communication function as a mobile phone. The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus constituting a communication system and a radio communication method related to the radio communication system.

In recent years, wireless communication devices having wireless communication functions such as WLAN, infrared communication, and Bluetooth in addition to wireless communication functions as mobile phones have become widespread, and one of them is the integration of mobile phones and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). There are what are called smart phones, and what are called smart pads that are larger than smart phones. Smartphones have various functions such as a wireless communication function such as WLAN, infrared communication, and Bluetooth, a schedule function, and a personal information management function in addition to a mobile phone function. Most mobile phone functions are mainly adapted to wireless communication conforming to the cellular wireless communication system. In addition, some smartphones can operate as routers (hereinafter referred to as “3G routers”) that support wireless communication compliant with the cellular wireless communication method. On the other hand, some smart pads have a mobile phone function corresponding to the third generation mobile communication, but generally have only a wireless communication function such as WLAN, infrared communication, and Bluetooth.

For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 include wireless communication devices and wireless communication systems having wireless communication functions such as WLAN, infrared communication, and Bluetooth. The terminal described in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of communication interfaces such as a WLAN and a mobile phone, and functions as a router of the WLAN-mobile phone network when moving out of the range of a WLAN access point. Further, the terminal described in Patent Document 2 has a means for switching to wide area radio when out of service area of the local radio system in a terminal having a dual communication system of wide area radio and local radio. The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 3 has a function of presenting a reception state of wireless communication using close proximity wireless communication and confirming a transmission / reception state in advance before performing data transmission / reception.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-363700 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-297121 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-180852

By the way, when a wireless communication device that cannot be used as a 3G router connects to a network using a wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router, if the wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router is outside the range of the 3G public network, Even if the communication device is activated as a 3G router, it cannot be connected to the network. On the other hand, power is wasted due to activation as a 3G router.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a wireless communication device that cannot be used as a 3G router can be used as a 3G router when connecting to a network using a wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication method capable of recognizing whether or not the communication apparatus is within a 3G public network area without activating the wireless communication apparatus as a 3G router. To do.

A wireless communication system of the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method. A first wireless communication device; a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method; a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method; an external device compliant with the third wireless communication method; A second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit connected to the wireless communication device; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit; The second wireless communication device includes: a communication notification indicating whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device; The first wireless communication device via the second wireless communication unit The first wireless communication device receives the transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit, and when the communication enable / disable notification is communicable, the first wireless communication unit and the third wireless communication unit or / And notifies the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction via the second wireless communication unit and the fourth wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication device from the first wireless communication device When receiving the transfer start instruction, the data transfer unit starts the data transfer.

In the above configuration, the first wireless communication device receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit, and if the communication availability notification is a communication failure, sends the transfer start instruction to the second wireless communication device. Do not notify.

In the above configuration, after starting the data transfer, the first wireless communication device includes the first wireless communication unit, the third wireless communication unit, the fifth wireless communication unit, and / or the second wireless communication unit. Communication is performed with the external wireless communication device via the fourth wireless communication unit and the fifth wireless communication unit.

A first wireless communication device of the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that is more power-saving than the first wireless communication method, A first wireless communication device comprising: a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method; a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method; and a third wireless communication method. A second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit connected to an external wireless communication device; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit Whether or not the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device when receiving a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit. If the notification of whether communication is possible is possible, the first Line communication unit and / or the second wireless communication unit notifies an instruction to the transfer start to the second wireless communication device.

In the above-described configuration, when the data transfer unit receives a transfer start instruction and the communication enable / disable notification is a communication failure, the transfer start instruction is not notified to the second wireless communication apparatus.

In the above configuration, the external wireless communication device can be connected to the Internet.

In the above configuration, the first wireless communication system is a wireless LAN.

In the above configuration, the second wireless communication method is infrared communication.

In the above configuration, the second wireless communication method is Bluetooth (registered trademark).

In the above configuration, the third wireless communication system is cellular.

A second wireless communication device of the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method, A second wireless communication apparatus in a wireless communication system having a first wireless communication apparatus, and a second wireless communication apparatus, wherein the second wireless communication apparatus conforms to the first wireless communication system, and the second wireless communication apparatus. A fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the wireless communication method; a fifth wireless communication unit compliant with the third wireless communication method; connected to an external wireless communication device; and the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication. A data transfer unit capable of transferring data to and from the communication unit, and the fourth wireless communication unit notifies whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device. To the first wireless communication device and the data transfer , When receiving an instruction to start transfer from the first radio communication device to start the data transfer.

A wireless communication method according to the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that consumes less power than the first wireless communication method. A first wireless communication device; a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method; a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method; an external device compliant with the third wireless communication method; A second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit connected to the wireless communication device; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit; A wireless communication method in a wireless communication system comprising: the second wireless communication device for notifying communication whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device; The wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit A communication enable / disable notification step for notifying to one wireless communication device; and when the first wireless communication device receives an instruction to start transfer from the data transfer unit and the communication enable / disable notification is communicable, the first wireless communication device A data transfer activation step of notifying the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction via the communication unit and the third wireless communication unit or / and the second wireless communication unit and the fourth wireless communication unit; A data transfer start step of starting the data transfer in the data transfer unit when the second wireless communication device receives the transfer start instruction from the first wireless communication device;

A wireless communication method according to the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that consumes less power than the first wireless communication method. A first wireless communication device; a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method; a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method; an external device compliant with the third wireless communication method; A second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit connected to the wireless communication device; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit; A wireless communication method of a first wireless communication device in a wireless communication system having a communication method, wherein the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device upon receiving an instruction to start transfer from the data transfer unit If communication is possible or not, communication is possible The first radio communication unit and / or the second wireless communication unit notifies the instruction of the transfer start to the second wireless communication device.

A wireless communication method according to the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method, and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that consumes less power than the first wireless communication method. A first wireless communication device; a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method; a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method; an external device compliant with the third wireless communication method; A second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit connected to the wireless communication device; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit; A wireless communication method of a second wireless communication device in a wireless communication system having the communication device, wherein the fourth wireless communication unit determines whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device. Notifying the first wireless communication device of the notification, Over data transfer unit, when receiving an instruction to start transfer from the first radio communication device to start the data transfer.

According to the present invention, when a wireless communication device that cannot be used as a 3G router is connected to a network using a wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router, the wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router is within the range of the 3G public network. Whether the wireless communication device is present or not can be recognized without activating the wireless communication device as a 3G router.

The figure for demonstrating an example of the usage condition of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the smart pad of the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the smart phone of the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. In the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, a sequence diagram for explaining the operation when the smartphone is outside the 3G public network and the communication availability confirmation is performed prior to the user activation operation. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation when the smartphone is in the 3G public network and the communication availability is confirmed prior to the user activation operation in the wireless communication system of FIG. In the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, a sequence diagram for explaining an operation in a case where a smartphone is out of the 3G public network and a user activation operation is performed to confirm whether communication is possible. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1 when a smartphone is in the 3G public network and a user activation operation is performed to confirm whether communication is possible. The flowchart for demonstrating the infrared communication connection process of a smart pad and a smart phone in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of the smart phone communication notification of a smart pad in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of 3G router starting of a smart pad in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of 3G router starting of a smart pad in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of the smart phone communication notification of a smart pad in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of 3G router starting of a smart pad in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a smart pad and a smart phone in the case of out of 3G area in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a smart pad and a smart phone when it can be used in 3G area in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of a smart pad and a smart phone in the case of an unusable outside 3G area in the radio | wireless communications system of FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a usage pattern of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of wireless communication devices such as WLAN (also referred to as WiFi (WiFi)), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark), hereinafter referred to as BT), and infrared communication. A smart pad (first wireless communication device) 10 and a smartphone (second wireless communication device) 20 capable of two-way communication using a communication method are provided. The smartphone 20 can perform wireless communication conforming to a cellular wireless communication method in addition to the above-described wireless communication such as WLAN, BT, and infrared communication. The smartphone 20 also operates as a router (referred to as “3G router”) in cellular wireless communication.

The smart pad 10 can connect to the Internet 250 via a home WLAN (Wireless LAN) 150 including a router 151 and an access point 152 connected to the router 151, and can access the Web server 300. The smart pad 10 can be connected to the Internet 250 by the home WLAN 150 only within the area of the access point 152 of the home WLAN 150, and of course the connection to the Internet 250 by the home WLAN 150 is not possible when leaving the area. It becomes. Even when the smart pad 10 goes out of the home WLAN 150 range, it is possible to connect to the Internet 250 by using the smartphone 20 as a 3G router. Of course, in this case, the smartphone 20 needs to be within the 3G public network 401 of the 3G base station 400. If the smartphone 20 is within the 3G public network 401 of the 3G base station 400, the smart pad 10 can be connected to the Internet 250 via the smartphone 20.

By the way, if the smartphone 20 is outside the range of the 3G public network 401, the smart pad 10 cannot be connected to the Internet 250 even if the smartphone 20 is activated as a 3G router. In addition, although the smartphone 250 cannot be connected to the Internet 250, power is wasted as much as the smartphone 20 is activated as a 3G router. In order to avoid waste of power due to activation as a 3G router when the smartphone 20 is out of the 3G public network 401, information indicating whether the smartphone 20 is within the 3G public network 401 is transmitted by infrared communication. It may be recognized using a power-saving communication method such as. By doing in this way, when the smartphone 20 is outside the range of the 3G public network 401, it is not necessary to start the smartphone 20 as a 3G router. In the present invention, power saving is achieved by using a power-saving communication method such as infrared communication for transmission / reception of information indicating whether the smartphone 20 is within the range of the 3G public network 401. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 will be described in detail.

(Schematic configuration of the smart pad 10)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the smart pad 10. In FIG. 2, the smart pad 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an input unit 103, an audio output unit 104, a display unit 105, a power supply unit 106, a power supply control unit 107, a WLAN (WiFi) communication unit 109, an antenna 110, and An infrared communication unit 111 is included. The remaining

units

101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 109 and 111 except for the antenna 110 and the power supply unit 106 are connected by an internal bus 113. Note that the WLAN communication unit 109 corresponds to a first wireless communication unit that conforms to the first wireless communication method, and the infrared communication unit 111 corresponds to a second wireless communication unit that conforms to the second wireless communication method. The second wireless communication method is more power saving than the first wireless communication method. The second wireless communication method may be BT.

The control unit 101 controls each unit of the apparatus and operates according to a control program stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 stores various data handled by the apparatus 10 in addition to storing a control program for operating the control unit 101. The input unit 103 is a touch panel, is arranged immediately above the display surface of the display unit 105, and outputs coordinates corresponding to the position touched by the user's finger as coordinate information. The coordinate information output from the input unit 103 is taken into the control unit 101. In addition, as a touch panel system, there are a resistive film system, a surface acoustic wave system, an electromagnetic induction system, a capacitance system, and the like, and the electrostatic capacity system is mainly adopted in portable terminals such as smart pads. The capacitance method is a method of detecting a position by detecting a change in capacitance between a finger and a conductive film.

The audio output unit 104 outputs audio and has a speaker (not shown). The audio output unit 104 generates an audio signal from the audio file and outputs it from the speaker when reproducing an audio file such as music. The display unit 105 includes a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display panel, and displays information in accordance with a display instruction from the control unit 101. The power supply unit 106 is a battery (including a rechargeable battery) and supplies power to each unit of the apparatus. The power supply control unit 107 performs monitoring of the remaining battery level of the power supply unit 106 and power saving control. The WLAN communication unit 109 performs wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 wireless communication method. The antenna 110 is an antenna used for wireless communication of the WLAN communication unit 109. The infrared communication unit 111 performs infrared communication conforming to the near field infrared communication standard IrDA. Note that BT (Bluetooth) may be used instead of infrared communication, or may be added. The BT communication conforms to the IEEE802.15.1 wireless communication system and performs short-range wireless communication at a maximum speed of 24 Mbps using radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band.

(Schematic configuration of the smartphone 20)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the smartphone 20. In FIG. 3, the smartphone 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an input unit 203, a voice input / output unit 204, a display unit 205, a power supply unit 206, a power supply control unit 207, a 3G communication unit 208, an antenna 209, and a data transfer unit. 214, a WLAN (WiFi) communication unit 210, an antenna 211, and an infrared communication unit 212. The remaining

units

201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207, 208, 214, 210, and 212 except for the

antennas

209 and 211 and the power supply unit 206 are connected by an internal bus 215. The WLAN communication unit 210 corresponds to a third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, and the infrared communication unit 212 corresponds to a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method. The communication unit 208 corresponds to a fifth wireless communication unit that conforms to the third wireless communication method. The second wireless communication method may be BT.

The control unit 201 controls each part of the apparatus, and operates according to a control program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 stores various data handled by the apparatus 20 in addition to storing a control program for operating the control unit 201. The input unit 203 is a touch panel, is arranged immediately above the display surface of the display unit 205, and outputs coordinates corresponding to the position touched by the user's finger as coordinate information. The coordinate information output from the input unit 203 is taken into the control unit 201. As described above, the touch panel method includes a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, and the like, and a portable device such as a smartphone mainly employs a capacitance method. Yes. The capacitance method is a method of detecting a position by detecting a change in capacitance between a finger and a conductive film.

The voice input / output unit 204 performs voice input / output at the time of 3G wireless communication, has a speaker and a microphone (not shown), outputs the received voice of the communication partner from the speaker, and outputs the second wireless communication device 20. The user's voice is input from the microphone. The voice input / output unit 204 converts the voice signal input from the microphone into a digital signal during voice recording and outputs the digital signal. When playing a voice file such as music, the voice input / output unit 204 generates a voice signal from the voice file and outputs it from the speaker. Output.

The display unit 205 includes a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel, and displays information in accordance with a display instruction from the control unit 201. The power supply unit 206 is a battery (including a rechargeable battery) and supplies power to each unit of the apparatus. The power supply control unit 207 performs monitoring of the remaining battery level of the power supply unit 206 and power saving control. The 3G communication unit 208 performs wireless communication corresponding to the third generation mobile communication conforming to the IMT-2000 standard. Further, the 3G communication unit 208 includes a 3G router unit 208A that operates as a router corresponding to the third generation mobile communication. The antenna 209 is an antenna used for wireless communication of the 3G communication unit 208. The WLAN communication unit 210 performs wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 wireless communication method. The antenna 211 is an antenna used for wireless communication of the WLAN communication unit 210. The infrared communication unit 212 performs infrared communication conforming to the near field infrared communication standard IrDA. In addition, BT (Bluetooth) may be used instead of infrared communication, and may be added. The BT communication conforms to the IEEE802.15.1 wireless communication system and performs short-range wireless communication at a maximum speed of 24 Mbps using radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band. The data transfer unit 214 performs data transfer between the 3G communication unit 208 and the WLAN communication unit 210 via the internal bus 215. Note that data transfer may be performed between the 3G communication unit 208 and the infrared communication unit 212.

The smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 can be paired. When pairing, a pairing icon (not shown) displayed on the display unit 105 of the smart pad 10 and a pairing icon (not shown) displayed on the display unit 205 of the smartphone 20 are substantially simultaneously displayed. When pressed, the pairing process is executed in each device. When the pairing process is executed, WLAN communication is possible between the WLAN communication unit 109 of the smart pad 10 and the WLAN communication unit 210 of the smartphone 20. In addition, when the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 communicate with each other by BT (Bluetooth) instead of infrared communication, BT (Bluetooth) communication is performed between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 by executing the pairing process. Is possible.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
4 to 7 are sequence diagrams for explaining the operation of the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a case where the smartphone 20 is outside the range of the 3G public network 401 and FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram in the case where the 3G router unit 208A of the smartphone 20 confirms whether communication is possible prior to the user activation operation, and FIG. 5 shows a case where the smartphone 20 is within the 3G public network 401. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram in the case where the communication is confirmed by the 3G router unit 208A of the smartphone 20 by performing infrared communication prior to the user activation operation for FIG. 10, and FIG. 6 is a case where the smartphone 20 is outside the range of the 3G public network 401. After performing a user activation operation on the smart pad 10, infrared communication is performed to FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in the case where the 3G router unit 208A of the phone 20 confirms whether or not communication is possible. FIG. 7 shows a case where the smartphone 20 is in the range of the 3G public network 401 and the infrared ray after performing the user activation operation on the smart pad 10. It is a sequence diagram in the case of performing communication and confirming whether communication is possible by the 3G router unit 208A of the smartphone 20. Here, the user activation operation is an instruction to start transfer of the data transfer unit 214 of the smartphone 20. Hereinafter, the case where confirmation of communication availability is performed prior to user activation operation and the case where communication availability confirmation is performed after user activation operation will be described separately.

(When confirming whether communication is possible prior to user activation)
First, in FIG. 4, in the smart pad 10, the infrared communication unit 111, the input unit 103, and the display unit 105 operate under the control of the control unit 101. In the smartphone 20, the infrared communication unit 212 operates under the control of the control unit 201. The control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 uses the infrared communication unit 111 and the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 uses the infrared communication unit 212 to perform infrared communication connection with each other. When the infrared communication connection between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 is completed, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 determines whether it is out of the range of the 3G public network 401 from the output of the 3G communication unit 208, and if it is out of range, For example, a 3G router communication enable / disable notification indicating 3G router communication failure is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. Here, the timing of the 3G router communication enable / disable notification may be (1) when 3G router communication is enabled or disabled (2) a predetermined timing or a combination of (1) and (2). When the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives a notification of 3G router communication failure from the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 from the infrared communication unit 111, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 105 that the 3G router is out of range (“3G Out of router range ”) and stored in the storage unit 102. Thereafter, when the user performs an activation operation on the smart pad 10, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 displays on the display unit 105 that the smartphone 20 is out of the service area. For example, “3G router cannot be turned on (out of service area)” pops up. Thereby, the user can recognize that the smart pad 10 cannot be connected to the Internet 250 via the smartphone 20.

Next, in FIG. 5, in the smart pad 10, the infrared communication unit 111, the input unit 103, and the display unit 105 operate under the control of the control unit 101. In the smartphone 20, the infrared communication unit 212, the 3G communication unit 208, and the data transfer unit 214 operate under the control of the control unit 201. The control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 uses the infrared communication unit 111 and the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 uses the infrared communication unit 212 to perform infrared communication connection with each other. When the infrared communication connection between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 is completed, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 determines whether it is out of the range of the 3G public network 401 from the output of the 3G communication unit 208 and must be out of the range. For example, a 3G communication availability notification indicating that 3G router communication is possible is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. Here, the timing of 3G router communication enable / disable notification may be (1) when 3G router communication enabled / disabled, (2) a predetermined timing or a combination of (1) and (2). When the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives a notification indicating that the 3G router communication is possible from the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 from the infrared communication unit 111, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 105 that the 3G router is within range (“3G Router range ”) and stored in the storage unit 102.

Thereafter, when the user performs a start-up operation on the smart pad 10, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 determines whether the WLAN is out of range from the output of the WLAN communication unit 109. If the WLAN is out of range, the infrared communication unit 111 requests the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 to activate the 3G router. When receiving the 3G router activation request from the infrared communication unit 212, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 causes the 3G communication unit 208 to activate the 3G router unit 208A. When the 3G router unit 208A is activated, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 transmits a 3G router activation completion notification from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. The control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives the 3G router activation completion notification from the infrared communication unit 111, operates the WLAN communication unit 109, and performs a process of connecting to the WLAN communication unit 210 of the smartphone 20. The control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 operates the WLAN communication unit 210 to perform processing for connecting to the WLAN communication unit 109 of the smart pad 10. When these processes are completed, the smart pad 10 can connect to the Internet 250 via the smartphone 20, and can access the Web server 300 connected to the Internet 250.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an infrared communication connection process between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20. In FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 and the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 are connected by infrared communication (step S1). If not, connection is established by infrared communication using the infrared communication units 212 and 111 (step S2). After the smartphone 20 and the smart pad 10 are connected by infrared communication, this process is finished.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the smart pad 10 notifies the smartphone of whether communication is possible. In FIG. 9, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives the notification of whether or not the smartphone 20 can perform 3G communication (inside / outside of the area) at the infrared communication unit 111 (step S <b> 10). Next, the received communication availability information is stored in the storage unit 102 and pictically displayed on the display unit 105 (step S11). After this processing, this processing is finished.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the smart pad 10 starts up the 3G router. In FIG. 10, when a user activation operation is performed at the input unit 103 (step S20), the control unit 101 determines from the output of the WLAN communication unit 109 whether it is out of the WLAN range (step S21). When it is determined (that is, when “NO” is determined in the determination in step S21), the activation of the 3G router unit 208A is stopped (step S22), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is out of the WLAN range (that is, if “YES” is determined in the determination in step S21), whether the smartphone 20 is capable of 3G communication (within range) based on the result of infrared communication with the smartphone 20. It is determined whether or not (step S23). When it is determined that 3G communication is possible (that is, when “YES” is determined in the determination in step S23), a 3G router activation request is transmitted to the smartphone 20 by infrared communication (step S24). After transmitting the 3G router activation request, a 3G router activation completion notification is received from the smartphone 20 (step S25). Upon receiving the 3G router activation completion notification, the control unit 101 establishes a WLAN connection with the 3G router unit 208A of the smartphone 20 (step S26). After the WLAN connection to the 3G router unit 208A, this processing is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that 3G communication is not possible (that is, if “NO” is determined in step S23), a display notifying that the 3G router cannot be started is displayed on the display unit 105 (step S27). ), This process is finished.

As described above, in the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the smartphone 20 performs notification of whether or not communication with the 3G base station is possible prior to the user activation operation. Thereby, the smart pad 10 can determine in a short time whether or not to activate the 3G router after the user activation operation is performed. Therefore, the waiting time from when the user performs the activation operation until the 3G router is activated (or until the user is notified that the 3G router cannot be activated) is short. For this reason, the user can use wireless communication comfortably.
In the wireless communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the smart pad 10 displays whether the smartphone 20 can communicate with the 3G base station prior to the user activation operation. Thus, the user can know whether the 3G router can be activated before the activation operation, and can determine in advance whether the activation operation should be performed.

(When confirming whether communication is possible after user-initiated operation)
Next, in FIG. 6, the user first performs an activation operation on the smart pad 10. In response to the user activation operation, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 determines whether the WLAN is out of range from the output of the WLAN communication unit 109. If the WLAN is out of the WLAN range, using the infrared communication unit 111, the infrared communication unit of the smartphone 20 is determined. Infrared communication is established with 212. When the infrared communication connection between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 is completed, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 makes an inquiry about whether or not 3G router communication is possible from the infrared communication unit 111 to the smartphone 20. When the infrared communication unit 212 receives an inquiry about whether or not 3G router communication is possible, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 determines whether or not the 3G public network 401 is out of the service area from the output of the 3G communication unit 208. A 3G router communication enable / disable notification indicating communication failure is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. When the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives a notification of 3G router communication failure from the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 from the infrared communication unit 111, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 105 that the 3G router is out of range (“3G Out of router range ”) and stored in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 further pops up “3G router cannot be turned on (out of service area)”. Thereby, the user can recognize that the smart pad 10 cannot be connected to the Internet 250 via the smartphone 20.

Next, in FIG. 7, first, the user performs a starting operation with the smart pad 10. In response to the user activation operation, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 determines whether the WLAN is out of range from the output of the WLAN communication unit 109. If the WLAN is out of the WLAN range, using the infrared communication unit 111, the infrared communication unit of the smartphone 20 is determined. Infrared communication is established with 212. When the infrared communication connection between the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 is completed, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 makes an inquiry about whether or not 3G router communication is possible from the infrared communication unit 111 to the smartphone 20. Upon receiving an inquiry about whether or not 3G router communication is possible in the infrared communication unit 212, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 determines whether it is within the 3G public network 401 from the output of the 3G communication unit 208. A 3G router communication enable / disable notification indicating that communication is possible is transmitted from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. When the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 receives a notification indicating that the 3G router communication is possible from the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 from the infrared communication unit 111, the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 105 that the 3G router is within range (“3G Router range ”) and stored in the storage unit 102.

Next, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 requests the infrared communication unit 212 of the smartphone 20 from the infrared communication unit 111 to activate the 3G router unit 208A. When receiving the 3G router activation request from the infrared communication unit 212, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 causes the 3G communication unit 208 to activate the 3G router unit 208A. When the 3G router unit 208A is activated, the control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 transmits a 3G router activation completion notification from the infrared communication unit 212 to the infrared communication unit 111 of the smart pad 10. When the infrared communication unit 111 receives the 3G router activation completion notification, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 operates the WLAN communication unit 109 to connect to the WLAN communication unit 210 of the smartphone 20. The control unit 201 of the smartphone 20 operates the WLAN communication unit 210 to perform processing for connecting to the WLAN communication unit 109 of the smart pad 10. When these processes are completed, the smart pad 10 can connect to the Internet 250 via the smartphone 20, and can access the Web server 300 connected to the Internet 250.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the 3G router of the smart pad 10 is activated. In FIG. 11, when a user activation operation is performed at the input unit 103 (step S30), the control unit 101 determines from the output of the WLAN communication unit 109 whether it is out of the WLAN range (step S31). When it is determined (that is, when “NO” is determined in the determination in step S31), the activation of the 3G router unit 208A is stopped (step S32), and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is out of the WLAN range (that is, when “YES” is determined in the determination in step S31), this process is terminated without performing any process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the smart pad 10 notifies whether or not smartphone communication is possible. In FIG. 12, the control unit 101 of the smart pad 10 transmits an inquiry about whether or not 3G communication of the smartphone 20 is possible using the infrared communication unit 111 (step S <b> 40). Next, the smartphone 20 receives a notification indicating whether 3G communication is possible (inside / outside) (step S41). Next, the received communication availability information is stored in the storage unit 102 and pictically displayed on the display unit 105 (step S42). After this processing, this processing is finished.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the smart pad 10 starts up the 3G router. In FIG. 13, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the smartphone 20 is capable of 3G communication (within a range) based on the output of the infrared communication unit 111 (step S50) and determines that 3G communication is possible (that is, step S50). When it is determined “YES” in the determination), a 3G router activation request is transmitted to the smartphone 20 by infrared communication (step S51). After transmitting the 3G router activation request, a 3G router activation completion notification is received from the smartphone 20 (step S52). Upon receiving the 3G router activation completion notification, the control unit 101 establishes a WLAN connection to the 3G router unit 208A of the smartphone 20 (step S53). After the WLAN connection to the 3G router unit 208A, this processing is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that 3G communication is not possible (that is, if “NO” is determined in step S50), a display notifying that the 3G router cannot be activated is displayed on the display unit 105 (step S54). ), This process is finished.

As described above, in the wireless communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the smartphone 20 checks whether or not communication with the 3G base station is possible after the user activation operation is performed. Thereby, the smart pad 10 can determine whether to activate the 3G router based on the most recent state whether the smartphone 20 can communicate. For this reason, the smart phone 20 becomes out of the 3G range immediately before the 3G router of the smart phone 20 is activated, and it becomes difficult for 3G communication to fail, and the user can use wireless communication with peace of mind. Further, since the frequency of starting the 3G router wastefully even though communication by the 3G router cannot be performed, power saving can be further achieved.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 when outside the 3G range. In FIG. 14, when out of 3G, the out-of-service pictogram 500 is displayed on the display unit 205 of the smartphone 20. The out-of-service pictogram 510 is also displayed on the display unit 105 of the smart pad 10. In particular, the out-of-service pictogram 510 displayed on the smart pad 10 is displayed before the user activation operation when the infrared communication connection is performed before the user activation operation, and is displayed when the infrared communication connection is performed after the user activation operation. Displayed during startup operation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 when available in a 3G area. In FIG. 15, the antenna picture 520 is displayed on the display unit 205 of the smartphone 20 when it can be used within the 3G range. An antenna picture 521 is also displayed on the display unit 105 of the smart pad 10.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 when it is not available outside the 3G range. In FIG. 16, when it is not available outside the 3G range, the out-of-service pictogram 500 is displayed on the display unit 205 of the smartphone 20. The out-of-service pictogram 510 is displayed on the display unit 105 of the smart pad 10, and a pop-up dialog 530 “3G router cannot be turned on” is displayed at the timing when an application connected to the Internet 250 is activated.

It should be noted that variations of 3G coverage / out of coverage on the smart pad 10 and the smartphone 20 are listed including the above cases.
1) Pictograms displayed in the form (antenna pictogram: in-range, out-of-range pictogram: out-of-range), and the displays in FIGS.
2) Pictographs displayed with different colors (green: within, red: out of range)
3) Out-of-service notification by case lamp (color, brightness, flashing pattern) 4) Alarm sound that rings when outside the service area and does not sound after that, or continues to sound while out of service area 5) Vibration (vibration) when moving out of service area Then, an alarm notification that does not vibrate, or an alarm notification that continues to vibrate when out of service area, 6) pop-up dialog display of out-of-service area warning, and display on the smart pad 10 in FIG.
7) Out-of-service warning pop-up warning icon 8) Change the icon of the application that cannot be used when out of service (with x)

As described above, according to the wireless communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the smartphone 20 is notified whether the 3G communication unit 208 (fifth wireless communication unit) can communicate with the 3G base station (external wireless communication device). Is performed on the smart pad 10 using infrared communication (second wireless communication method), so that power saving in communication of the notification can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method have been described as WLAN and infrared communication (or Bluetooth (registered trademark)), respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second wireless communication method may be any wireless communication method that saves power compared to the first wireless communication method, and the combination of the first wireless communication method / second wireless communication method is, for example, WLAN / PHS (independent), WLAN / ZigBee , WLAN / UWB, WLAN / WiFi Direct, UWB / PHS (independent), UWB / Bluetooth, UWB / ZigBee, Bluetooth / PHS (independent), Bluetooth / ZigBee, BluetoothE / BluetoothE. Further, different modes or classes of the same wireless communication method may be used as the first wireless communication method and the second wireless communication method. For example, Bluetooth V2.0 / V4.0, Bluetooth Class2 / Class3, and PHS transceiver / independent are equivalent to this.
Further, in the present embodiment, the third wireless communication system has been described as being cellular. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a public WLAN or a PHS public.

Although the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application is based on a Japanese patent application filed on Feb. 18, 2011 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-033859), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the present invention, when a wireless communication device that cannot be used as a 3G router is connected to a network using a wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router, the wireless communication device that can be used as a 3G router is within the 3G public network. Whether or not the wireless communication device can be recognized as a 3G router without being activated, and a wireless communication device called a smartphone or a smart pad and a wireless communication system including these wireless communication devices. Applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication system 10 Smart pad 20 Smartphone 101,201 Control part 102,202 Storage part 103,203 Input part 104 Audio | voice output part 204 Voice input / output part 105,205 Display part 106,206 Power supply part 107,207 Power

supply control part

109 , 210

WLAN communication unit

110, 209, 211

Antenna

111, 212

Infrared communication unit

113, 215 Internal bus 150 Home LAN
151 router 152 access point 208 3G communication unit 208A 3G router unit 214 data transfer unit 250 Internet 300 Web server 400 3G base station 401 3G public network 500,510 out-of-service area pictogram 520,521 antenna pictogram

Claims

A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method, and a third wireless communication device compliant with the third wireless communication method and connected to an external wireless communication device. A second wireless communication apparatus comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a second wireless communication device including: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit. And
The second wireless communication device notifies the communication availability of whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device via the fourth wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. Notifying the first wireless communication device;
When the first wireless communication device receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit and the communication availability notification is communicable, the first wireless communication unit and the third wireless communication unit or / and the Via the second wireless communication unit and the fourth wireless communication unit, the transfer start instruction is notified to the second wireless communication device;
The second wireless communication apparatus is a wireless communication system that starts the data transfer in the data transfer unit when receiving the transfer start instruction from the first wireless communication apparatus.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1,
The first wireless communication device receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit and does not notify the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction when the communication availability notification is a communication failure. system.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 2,
After starting the data transfer, the first wireless communication device includes the first wireless communication unit, the third wireless communication unit, the fifth wireless communication unit, and / or the second wireless communication unit, and the fourth wireless communication unit. A wireless communication system for communicating with the external wireless communication device via a communication unit and the fifth wireless communication unit.
A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method, and a third wireless communication device compliant with the third wireless communication method and connected to an external wireless communication device. A second wireless communication apparatus comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit. 1 wireless communication device,
The first wireless communication unit receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit, and the communication of whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device is communicable. Alternatively, the second wireless communication unit notifies the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction.
The first wireless communication device according to claim 4,
A first wireless communication apparatus that receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit and does not notify the second wireless communication apparatus of the transfer start instruction when the communication enable / disable notification is a communication failure.
The first wireless communication device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
After starting the data transfer, the first wireless communication device includes the first wireless communication unit, the third wireless communication unit, the fifth wireless communication unit, and / or the second wireless communication unit, and the fourth wireless communication unit. A first wireless communication device that communicates with the external wireless communication device via a communication unit and the fifth wireless communication unit.
The first wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising:
The external wireless communication device is a first wireless communication device connectable to the Internet.
The first wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The first wireless communication apparatus is a wireless LAN.
The first wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein
The first wireless communication apparatus, wherein the second wireless communication method is infrared communication.
The first wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein
The second wireless communication method is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) first wireless communication device.
The first wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein:
The third wireless communication system is a first wireless communication device that is cellular.
A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A second wireless communication device in a wireless communication system having a second wireless communication device,
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method;
A fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method;
A fifth wireless communication unit that conforms to the third wireless communication system and connects to an external wireless communication device;
A data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit;
The fourth wireless communication unit notifies the first wireless communication device of a notification of whether or not the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device.
The data transfer unit starts the data transfer when receiving a transfer start instruction from the first wireless communication device.
The second wireless communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
The external wireless communication device is a second wireless communication device connectable to the Internet.
The second wireless communication apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13,
The second wireless communication apparatus, wherein the first wireless communication method is a wireless LAN.
The second wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein
The second wireless communication apparatus is a second wireless communication apparatus in which infrared communication is performed.
The second wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein
The second wireless communication device is Bluetooth (registered trademark).
The second wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 16, comprising:
The third wireless communication system is a second wireless communication device that is cellular.
A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method, and a third wireless communication device compliant with the third wireless communication method and connected to an external wireless communication device. Wireless communication in a wireless communication system comprising: 5 wireless communication unit; and a second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit A communication method,
The second wireless communication device sends a notification of whether or not the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device via the fourth wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. A communication availability notification step of notifying the first wireless communication device;
When the first wireless communication device receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit and the communication availability notification is communicable, the first wireless communication unit and the third wireless communication unit or / and the A data transfer activation step of notifying the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction via the second wireless communication unit and the fourth wireless communication unit;
And a data transfer start step of starting the data transfer in the data transfer unit when the second wireless communication device receives the transfer start instruction from the first wireless communication device.
A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method, and a third wireless communication device compliant with the third wireless communication method and connected to an external wireless communication device. A second wireless communication apparatus comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit. A wireless communication method for one wireless communication device,
The first wireless communication unit receives a transfer start instruction from the data transfer unit, and the communication of whether the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device is communicable. Alternatively, the second wireless communication unit notifies the second wireless communication device of the transfer start instruction.
A first wireless communication device comprising: a first wireless communication unit that conforms to a first wireless communication method; and a second wireless communication unit that conforms to a second wireless communication method that saves power than the first wireless communication method;
A third wireless communication unit compliant with the first wireless communication method, a fourth wireless communication unit compliant with the second wireless communication method, and a third wireless communication device compliant with the third wireless communication method and connected to an external wireless communication device. A second wireless communication apparatus comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a second wireless communication device comprising: a fifth wireless communication unit; and a data transfer unit capable of transferring data between the fifth wireless communication unit and at least the third wireless communication unit. 2 A wireless communication method for a wireless communication device,
The fourth wireless communication unit notifies the first wireless communication device of a notification of whether or not the fifth wireless communication unit can communicate with the external wireless communication device;
A wireless communication method for starting data transfer when the data transfer unit receives a transfer start instruction from the first wireless communication device.