Dual mode type radio communication equipment

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device used as a mobile station in a mobile wireless communication system such as a mobile phone system, a mobile phone system, or a cordless telephone system, and particularly relates to a wireless communication device that employs a dual mode as a wireless communication method.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, as one of the mobile wireless communication systems, a system adopting a dual mode wireless communication system has been proposed. The dual mode is a method in which an analog mode and a digital mode are used in combination.

【0003】

In the analog mode, the transmitting side communication device transmits the carrier wave by, for example, FM-modulating it with voice signals and data, and the receiving side communication device receives the modulated wave sent from the transmitting side and FM demodulates the voice. And a method of reproducing data. On the other hand, in the digital mode, the voice signal and data are encoded by the communication device on the transmitting side, the carrier wave is digitally modulated by the encoded signal, for example, by the π / 4 shift DQPSK method, and transmitted, and the communication device on the receiving side transmits the voice signal. This is a method in which an audio signal and data are reproduced by receiving a modulated wave transmitted from the transmitting side, digitally demodulating the wave, and then decoding the demodulated signal. In wireless communication in this digital mode, a method is used in which a plurality of time slots are time-division-multiplexed and transmitted at one wireless frequency.

【0004】

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of this type of system. This system consists of a control station CS connected to the wired communication network NW via a wired line CL, and a plurality of base stations BS1, BS2, which are connected to this control station CS via a wired line CL1 to CL3, respectively. ... and multiple mobile stations MS1, MS2, ... Each of the above base stations BS1, BS2, ... Form a radio zone E1, E2, .... The mobile stations MS1, MS2, ... are wireless communication channels for each base station BS1, BS2, ... In the radio zones E1, E2, ... of each of the above base stations BS1, BS2, ... Connected via.

【0005】

In such a configuration, for example, when a call operation is performed on the mobile station MS1, the mobile station MS1 transmits a call signal using a control channel called an access channel (A-CH). At this time, in each base station BS1, BS2, ..., the arrival of the outgoing call signal is monitored by the access channel. In this state, for example, if the base station BS1 receives the above-mentioned call signal, the base station BS1 selects an empty call channel from a plurality of analog call channels and digital call channels owned by its own station, and this base station BS1 selects a free call channel. The selected call channel is inserted into the call answer signal and notified to the calling mobile station MS1. Then, the selected call channel is set between the base station BS1 and the mobile station MS1, and when this call channel is set, wireless communication is possible thereafter. That is, whether to select the analog mode or the digital mode as the wireless communication method is generally determined by the base stations BS1, BS2, ..., Depending on the availability of the wireless communication channel and the like.

【0006】

By the way, recently, in this kind of system, it has been proposed that the wireless communication method can be selected even in a mobile station. In this method, for example, a mobile station is provided with a mode designation switch, and the mode specified by this switch is notified to the base station at the time of a call or an incoming call, and the base station notifies an empty call channel according to this notified mode. Find and set the call channel. In addition, the operation of the above mode designation switch is monitored even during a call, and when this switch is operated, a mode change request signal is notified to the base station, and the base station searches for a free wireless call channel according to this request and makes a call. It changes the channel. By using such a method, for example, a state in which a voice call is made using a digital call channel can be directly shifted to a facsimile communication using an analog call channel, or a normal call using an analog call channel can be used. It is very convenient because it is possible to shift from the state of performing a call to a confidential call using a digital call channel as it is.

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the mobile station device that has been conventionally considered to realize such a method has the following problems to be improved. That is, even if the mode is specified in the mobile station, there is no space in the call channel corresponding to this desired mode, or the opposite base station has only one of the analog call channel and the digital call channel. Is not always set to the mode desired by the mobile station. In such a case, the user must repeatedly operate the mode designation switch until the mode being set is changed to the desired mode. Therefore, the operation was extremely troublesome. In addition, since the user performs this redesignation operation at an arbitrary timing, the probability of changing to the desired mode at an early stage with a small number of operations is generally low.

【0008】

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above information, and an object of the present invention is that when a desired wireless connection method is not set, the user is troublesome while maintaining a state in which wireless communication is possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication device capable of changing to a desired wireless connection method without requiring operation, thereby improving operability.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of wireless connection methods, and accepts the selected wireless connection method in a wireless communication device that selectively uses these wireless connection methods to perform wireless communication with a base station. If the selection receiving means and the wireless connection method received by the selection receiving means are available, the wireless connection method is set with priority, and if it is not available, a wireless connection method other than the wireless connection method is set. When the setting means for setting and the wireless connection method set by this setting means are the wireless connection methods accepted by the selection reception means, communication is performed by the wireless line used in the wireless connection method. If it is different from the wireless connection method accepted by the selective reception means, an attempt is made to capture the wireless line used by the wireless connection method accepted by the selective reception means within a predetermined time or number of times, and the acquisition is performed. If possible, it is equipped with a communication control means for communicating via the wireless line.

【0010】

Further, in the present invention, when the communication control means is set to a wireless connection method different from the wireless connection method received by the selection receiving means, the wireless connection method is set and predetermined after a certain period of time has elapsed. During the period of, an attempt is made to capture the wireless line used in the wireless connection method received by the selection receiving means.

【0011】

【0012】

[Action]

As a result, according to the present invention, when a wireless connection method different from the wireless connection method accepted by the selection receiving means is set by the first mode setting control means, it is selected by the second mode setting control means. Control for resetting the wireless connection method to the wireless connection method received by the receiving means is automatically performed. Therefore, while maintaining the state in which wireless communication is possible, the user can set the desired wireless connection method without performing the operation of specifying the wireless connection method for resetting the wireless connection method. The sex can be improved.

【0013】

Further, according to the present invention, by appropriately setting the control execution timing for resetting the wireless connection method, it is possible to complete the change to the desired wireless connection method at an early stage with a small number of control times. become. That is, it is possible to efficiently change to the desired wireless connection method.

【0014】

Further, according to the present invention, the control for resetting the wireless connection method is repeated until the wireless connection method received by the selection receiving means is set, so that the communication channel corresponding to the desired wireless connection method is available. Even when the number of channels is small, it is possible to change to the wireless connection method accepted by the selection receiving means with relative certainty. Further, since the maximum value of the number of repetitions of control is specified at that time, useless control is performed endlessly, for example, when the base station does not have a communication channel corresponding to the desired wireless connection method. Problems can be prevented.

【0015】

[Example]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a mobile station apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【0016】

In the figure, a radio communication signal sent from a base station (not shown) in a predetermined time slot is input to a receiving circuit (RX) 3 via an antenna 1 and a duplexer (DUP) 2, where a frequency synthesizer (SYN) is used. ) It is combined with the local oscillation signal corresponding to the digital call channel output from 4 and converted into an intermediate frequency signal. Then, the received intermediate frequency signal is digitally demodulated after frame synchronization and bit synchronization are established by the digital modulation / demodulation circuit (MOD) 6. The synchronization information obtained by the frame synchronization and the bit synchronization is supplied to the control circuit 20. The digital demodulation signal output from the digital demodulation circuit 6 includes a digital call signal and a digital control signal, of which the digital control signal is supplied to the control circuit 20 for identification. On the other hand, the digital call signal is supplied to the equalizer (EQL) 7, where the demodulated waveform is signal-equalized, and then error-corrected and decoded by the error-correcting code decoding circuit (CH-COD) 8. Then, after being decoded by the voice code decoding circuit (SP-COD) 9 and returned to the analog call signal, it is supplied to the handset 11 via the voice switch 10 and loudened and output from the handset 11.

【0017】

On the other hand, the voice transmitted by the speaker is collected by the transmitter 12 and converted into a voice signal, and then input to the voice code decoding circuit 9 via the voice switch 13 and encoded there. The digital transmission signal obtained by this coding is error-corrected and coded by the error-correcting code decoding circuit 8 together with the digital control signal output from the control circuit 20, and then input to the digital modulation / demodulation circuit 6. In the digital modulation / demodulation circuit 6, an intermediate frequency modulation signal corresponding to the digital transmission signal supplied from the error correction code decoding circuit 8 is generated and input to the transmission circuit (TX) 5. In the transmission circuit 5, the modulated signal is combined with the local oscillation signal corresponding to the digital call channel output from the frequency synthesizer 4 and converted into a high-frequency signal, and this high-frequency signal is high-frequency amplified and then passed through the duplexer 2. It is transmitted from antenna 1 to the base station.

【0018】

Further, the mobile station apparatus of this embodiment has a configuration applicable to a system in which a digital system and a current analog system coexist, that is, a dual mode radiotelephone system. That is, when making a wireless call in analog mode instead of digital mode, the voice switches 10 and 13 are switched from the voice code decoding circuit 9 side to the analog voice processing circuit (A-AUD) 14 side under the control of the control circuit 20. .. Then, the received intermediate frequency signal output from the receiving circuit 3 is input to the analog voice processing circuit 14, FM demodulated here, then voice amplified, and then supplied to the handset 11 via the voice switch 10. A loudspeaker is output from the handset 11. On the other hand, the transmission signal output from the transmitter 12 is input to the analog audio processing circuit 14 via the audio switch 13, converted into an intermediate frequency signal here, and then converted into a high frequency signal by the transmission circuit 5. Is transmitted from antenna 1.

【0019】

Reference numeral 15 denotes an input display unit, which is provided with a mode designation switch 51 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 52 as shown in the figure, in addition to a dial key and a transmission switch. The mode designation switch 51 is used to selectively specify an analog mode, a digital mode, or a dual mode in which a mode is not particularly specified as a wireless communication method. Reference numeral 16 denotes a power supply circuit, which generates a desired operating voltage Vcc based on the output of the battery 17 and supplies it to each of the above circuits.

【0020】

By the way, the control circuit 20 is provided with, for example, a microcomputer as a main control unit, and in addition to the usual control means such as connection control and call control related to incoming / outgoing calls, the first mode change control means 21 and the second It has the mode change control means 22 of the above.

【0021】

The first mode change control means 21 determines handoff control for changing the wireless communication method to the mode designated by this switch when the mode designation switch 51 of the input display unit 15 is operated during a call. Follow the steps.

【0022】

The second mode change control means 22 determines whether or not the wireless communication method is set in the desired mode designated and input by the mode designation switch 51 as a result of the mode change by the first mode change control means 21. Then, when it is determined that the mode is set to a mode different from the desired mode, the handoff control for changing the wireless communication method to the desired mode is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals until the mode is changed to the desired mode. To do. At that time, the maximum number of repetitions of the handoff control is set to, for example, five. Next, the operation of the mobile station apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the control procedure of the control circuit 20.

【0023】

In the standby state (non-call state), the control circuit 20 monitors the arrival of incoming calls and the occurrence of incoming calls in steps 3a and 3b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2, while monitoring the operation of the mode designation switch 51 in step 3c. Is doing. Then, when the mode designation switch 51 is operated in this state, the control circuit 20 proceeds to step 3d, where the mode designated and input by the mode designation switch 51 is stored in the RAM in the control circuit 20. In addition, the display pattern of the designated input mode (request mode) is displayed on the LCD 52.

【0024】

On the other hand, it is assumed that the user has performed a call operation in this state. Then, the control circuit 20 executes the line connection control according to the call as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, first, in step 4a, a control channel called an access channel is acquired and set, and then in step 4b, the designated input mode is read from the RAM, and a call signal including information indicating this designated input mode is output. Create in step 4c. Then, the created call signal is transmitted to the base station in step 4d as shown in S in FIG. Further, the control circuit 20 monitors the return of the call response signal from the base station in step 4e after the transmission of the call signal. Then, when the call response signal is returned as shown in S of FIG. 6, the corresponding call channel is captured and set according to the call channel instruction information inserted in the call response signal. Then, the control circuit 20 determines the call channel set in step 4g, and shifts to call control according to the analog mode or the digital mode according to the determination result.

【0025】

For example, suppose that the dual mode is specified as the request mode as shown in FIG. 6 (b), and the base station instructs the analog call channel accordingly. Then, the control circuit 20 sets the operation mode in the apparatus to the analog mode in step 4f, captures and sets the analog call channel instructed by the base station, and shifts to analog call control through step 4g. Therefore, after that, the user can make a call or communicate in the analog mode as shown in FIG. 6 (c).

【0026】

When a digital call channel is instructed by the base station, the control circuit 20 captures and sets the instructed digital call channel, and then shifts to digital call control through step 4g.

【0027】

Now, suppose that, for example, the shift to analog call control is performed as described above. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 20 first resets the control flag f (f = 0) in step 5a, then monitors the end of the call in steps 5b, 5c, and 5d, respectively, and the handoff command from the base station arrives. The monitoring and the operation monitoring of the mode designation switch 51 are repeated.

【0028】

In this state, for example, it is assumed that the user operates the mode designation switch 51 to specify and input the "digital mode" in order to switch the call content from the normal call to the confidential call. Then, the control circuit 20 detects this operation in step 5d, stores the input-designated digital mode in the RAM in the control circuit 20, and enters the mode-designated state. Next, the control circuit 20 proceeds to step 5e and determines whether or not the control flag f is set here. Since the control flag f is not set now, the process proceeds to step 5f, where a mode change request message including information indicating the above-mentioned designated input mode (digital mode) is created, and this mode change request message is shown in the figure. 6 Transmit to the base station as shown in H0 of (a). At this time, the transmission of the mode change request message is performed by interrupting or superimposing the analog call signal. After transmitting this mode change request message, the control circuit 20 monitors the return of the change request approval (ACK) response message from the base station in a step (not shown), and within a certain period of time, for example, 200 msec. If the ACK response message is returned from the base station within this time, the arrival of the handoff command is monitored in step 5c.

【0029】

It is assumed that a handoff command arrives from the base station in this state. Then, the control circuit 20 proceeds to step 5g and determines whether or not the mode instructed by the handoff command is the desired desired mode. Then, if it is the desired mode, the process proceeds to step 5 m, and a mode switching process for switching the analog mode to the digital mode is performed here. That is, the instruction information of the digital call channel is inserted in the handoff command, and the control circuit 20 captures the corresponding digital call channel according to this instruction information and adjusts the transmission / reception timing of the digital call channel. After that, the analog call channel currently being set is switched to the new digital call channel in synchronization with the base station. At the same time, the voice switches 10 and 13 are switched from the digital analog voice processing circuit (A-AUD) 14 side to the voice code decoding circuit 9 side. Then, after the switching is completed, the control circuit 20 determines that the switching to the desired mode is completed, resets the mode designation state in step 5n, and then shifts to the digital call control.

【0030】

On the other hand, it is assumed that there is no space in the digital call channel and the analog mode is instructed by the above handoff command as shown in H0 of FIG. 6 (a). Then, the control circuit 20 determines that the undesired mode is instructed in step 5g, proceeds to step 5h, sets the control flag f (f = 1) here, and then performs the mode switching process in step 5i. That is, information indicating a new analog call channel is inserted in the handoff command, and after capturing the corresponding analog call channel according to this information, the call channel is changed to this new analog call channel in synchronization with the base station. Switch to. Then, when the switching of the call channel is completed, the control circuit 20 activates the timer in step 5j, and then returns to the call control after step 5b.

【0031】

By the way, in this call control, the switching to the desired mode has not been completed yet, the mode designation state is still valid, and the control flag f is set (f = 1), so that the control circuit 20 is The routine proceeds from step 5b through step 5c, step 5d and step 5e to step 5k, determines whether or not the timer has timed out in this step 5k, and then returns to step 5b. At this time, the time counting time of the above timer is set to, for example, about 30 seconds, and when 30 seconds have passed, the control circuit 20 determines whether or not the number of timeouts has reached 5 times in step 5l, and has not reached it. If so, move to step 5f. Then, in step 5f, a mode change request message for requesting a change to the digital mode is created again, and this message is sent to the base station as shown in H1 of FIG. 6 (a). That is, the mode change request message is automatically retransmitted.

【0032】

When this mode change request message is sent, the control circuit 20 monitors the return of the handoff command from the base station in step 5c, and when the change request approval (ACK) response message is returned following the handoff command, in step 5g. It is determined whether or not the mode specified by this handoff command is the desired digital mode. As a result of this determination, if the analog mode is instructed again as shown in H1 of FIG. 6 (a), the control circuit 20 shifts to step 5i through step 5h, and the analog call channel currently being set here. Then, the control for switching the mode to the analog call channel newly instructed by the handoff command is executed. Then, after restarting the timer in step 5j, the call control is returned to in steps 5b to 5k.

【0033】

Then, when 30 seconds have passed and the timer times out, the control circuit 20 proceeds to step 5f through step 5l, where it also creates a mode change request message for requesting a change to the digital mode. The message is sent to the base station as shown in H2 in Fig. 6 (a). That is, the mode change request message is sent again. Then, after sending this mode change request message, the control circuit 20 monitors the return of the handoff command from the base station in step 5c as in the case of the second sending.

【0034】

By the way, it is assumed that the base station has a free space in the digital call channel in this state. Then, after returning the change request approval (ACK) response message, the base station creates a handoff command in which the instruction information of the above-mentioned empty digital call channel is inserted, and sends the handoff command to the mobile station as shown in H2 of FIG. 6 (a). Send out. Then, the control circuit 20 of the mobile station receives the above handoff command in step 5c and shifts to step 5g, and determines whether or not the mode instructed by the received handoff command is the desired digital mode. .. Then, when it is determined that the desired digital mode has been instructed, the process proceeds from step 5g to step 5m, where a mode switching process for switching from the analog call channel to the digital call channel is executed. Thus, the wireless communication system of the mobile station is switched from the analog mode to the digital mode as shown in FIG. 6 (c), and thereafter, the mobile station can make a secret talk in the digital mode, for example.

【0035】

When switching from the state in which a call is being made in the digital mode to the analog mode, the same control procedure as described above is performed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control procedure and control contents.

【0036】

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a handoff command to the desired mode does not arrive from the base station as a result of sending a mode change request message in response to the mode designation operation of the mode designation switch 51 during a call. Since the mode change request message is re-sent after a certain period of time, even if there is no free call channel and the handoff to the desired mode is not performed when the first mode change request message is sent, the above-mentioned re-sending is performed. It is possible to realize a handoff to the desired mode. At that time, the mode change request message is automatically retransmitted, so that the user does not have to bother to re-operate the mode designation switch 51, which reduces the operational burden on the user. The sex can be improved.

【0037】

Further, in the present embodiment, the mode change request message is retransmitted at regular time (30 seconds) intervals until the handoff command to the desired mode arrives. Therefore, for example, a call traffic in a base station can occur. It is expensive, and even if the handoff to the desired mode is not performed in the first re-transmission, the handoff to the desired mode can be almost surely realized. At that time, if the time interval for retransmitting the mode change request message is set to a value that statistically causes the largest number of free call channels, handoff can be realized at an early stage with a small number of transmissions.

【0038】

Furthermore, by defining the upper limit (5 times) of the number of times the mode change request message can be retransmitted, the handoff is effectively made, for example, when the opposite base station does not have a call channel corresponding to the desired mode. When it is not possible, it is possible to prevent a problem in which useless control is repeated semi-permanently.

【0039】

The present invention is not limited to the above examples. For example, in the above embodiment, when the mode change request for handoff is performed during a call and the handoff to the desired mode is not performed, the mode change request message is automatically retransmitted. When a mode other than the desired mode is set when connecting to a wireless line for making or receiving a call, a mode change request message is automatically sent and a handoff to the desired mode is performed. May be good.

【0040】

Further, in the above embodiment, even when a handoff to the same mode as the currently set mode is instructed as a result of sending a mode change request message, the handoff process is performed according to this instruction. When a handoff to the same mode as the inside mode is instructed, the handoff process may not be performed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a momentary interruption of the call signal due to the handoff, and thereby it is possible to prevent deterioration of the call quality.

【0041】

Further, in the above embodiment, the time interval for re-sending the mode change request message is fixed to a constant value (30 seconds), but it can be changed according to the number of times the mode change request message is sent, or it is set randomly each time. You may try to do it.

【0042】

In addition, it may be notified that the handoff could not be performed in the desired mode or that the handoff was possible. As the notification method, for example, a method of blinking the display pattern of the mode displayed on the LCD 52, turning on or blinking the light emitting diode, generating a ringing sound, or making a voice by a voice synthesis circuit can be used. It is also possible to notify by generating and outputting a message.

【0043】

In addition, the types of systems and mobile stations to be applied, the configuration of wireless communication devices, the control procedures and control contents of the first mode setting control means and the second mode setting control means are also within the scope of the present invention. It can be implemented by various modifications.

【0044】

[Effect of the invention]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a radio selected in a wireless communication device provided with a plurality of wireless connection methods and selectively using these wireless connection methods to perform wireless communication with a base station. The selection receiving means for accepting the connection method, the setting means for preferentially setting the wireless connection method received by the selection receiving means, and the wireless connection method set by the setting means are accepted by the selection receiving means. When different from the wireless connection method, the desired wireless connection method is provided with a communication control means for supplementing and communicating with the wireless line used in the wireless connection method received by the selection reception means. If is not set, it is possible to change to the desired wireless connection method without the need for troublesome operations while maintaining the state where wireless communication is possible, thereby improving operability. It is possible to provide a wireless communication terminal to obtain.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

The circuit block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

The flowchart which shows the control procedure and control contents in the standby state executed by the control circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 3]

The flowchart which shows the control procedure and control contents of the line connection control executed by the control circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 4]

The flowchart which shows the control procedure and control contents of the analog call control executed by the control circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 5]

The flowchart which shows the control procedure and control contents of the digital call control executed by the control circuit of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 6]

The figure for demonstrating the sequence at the time of mode change of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 7]

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the mobile wireless communication system which adopted the dual mode system.

[Explanation of symbols]

NW ... Wired communication network, CS ... Control station, BS1, BS2, ... Base station, MS1, MS2, ... Mobile station, E1, E2, ... Wireless zone, 1 ... Antenna , 2 ... Commoner (DUP), 3 ... Receive circuit (RX), 4 ... Frequency synthesizer (SYN), 5 ... Transmit circuit (TX), 6 ... Digital modulation / demodulation circuit (MOD) ), 7 ... equalizer (EQL), 8 ... error correction code decoding circuit (CH-COD), 9 ... voice code decoding circuit (SP-COD), 10, 13 ... voice switch , 11 ... Handset, 12 ... Handset, 14 ... Analog Audio Processing Circuit (A-AUD), 15 ... Input Display, 16 ... Power Circuit, 17 ... Battery, 20 ... control circuit, 21 ... first mode change control means, 22 ... second mode change control means, 51 ... mode designation switch, 52 ... liquid crystal display (LCD).