Wireless communication apparatus

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-105314, filed on Apr. 23, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

p-0003The embodiment discussed herein is related to a wireless communication apparatus that performs a wireless communication.

BACKGROUND

p-0004Wireless communication networks can constitute a core to form a base of information communication networks, and it is desired that services of the wireless communication networks become available in wider areas and further sophisticated. Toward an information society, development of the wireless communication networks is rapidly proceeding.

p-0005Particularly, a cellular phone penetration rate rapidly increases, and it is desired that a model whose listenability, viewability, and usability are improved for users is developed. Further, systems for measuring surrounding wireless environments and performing wireless control based on the measurement result have been developed in recent years.

p-0006For example, one conventional technique performs wireless control while monitoring a wireless link in a mobile ad hoc communications network, thereby establishing a link between a client Bluetooth (Bluetooth: trademark) apparatus and a server Bluetooth apparatus, and discovering services offered by the other Bluetooth apparatus (Published Japanese translation of a PCT application No. 2006-510124).

p-0007Another conventional technique performs wireless control while detecting a packet for priority communications to measure the number of priority communications and to measure the number of association terminals, and controlling the amount of packet traffic based on these measurement results (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-134812).

p-0008When recognizing surroundings and performing wireless control as in the above-described conventional technique, a number of techniques are designed to grasp ambient terminal functions and the number of ambient terminals and to perform traffic control. Meanwhile, few techniques extend to such a level that a cellular phone user is now placed under what surroundings and cellular phone usability can be improved when what services are offered. Therefore, it is desired to develop a cellular phone in which autonomous control is performed depending on estimated surroundings of a user to improve usability for the user.

SUMMARY

p-0009According to one aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a wireless communication apparatus. This wireless communication apparatus includes: an ambient apparatus number measurement unit that measures the number of ambient apparatuses existing around; a movement amount measurement unit that measures the movement amount of its own apparatus; an ambient sound analysis unit that analyzes ambient sounds to generate ambient sound analysis information; and a communication controller that estimates surroundings of its own apparatus based on at least one of the number of the ambient apparatuses, the movement amount, and the ambient sound analysis information and autonomously performs a communication control according to the surroundings.

p-0010The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by unit of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

p-0011It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S)

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a configuration example of a wireless communication apparatus;

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an operation example at the time of measuring the number of ambient apparatuses;

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is the entire flowchart illustrating an estimation operation of surroundings; and

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a surrounding estimation table.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

p-0016Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a configuration example of a wireless communication apparatus. A wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> includes an ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b>, a movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b>, an ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b>, and a communication controller <b>14</b>, and is an apparatus that performs a wireless communication. For example, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> corresponds to a cellular phone.

p-0017The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> has a wireless communication interface function, and measures the number of apparatuses (wireless apparatuses) existing around via the wireless communication interface function. For example, the apparatuses existing around correspond to other cellular phones.

p-0018The movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b> includes an acceleration sensor <b>12</b><i>a</i>. Using the acceleration sensor <b>12</b><i>a</i>, the movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b> measures the movement amount (acceleration or speed) at the time when its own apparatus (wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b>) moves. In the acceleration sensor <b>12</b><i>a</i>, a compact sensor with high precision is put to practical use by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology. By the acceleration sensor <b>12</b><i>a </i>mounted within the apparatus, the movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b> can detect whether its own apparatus moves or remains stationary.

p-0019The ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> includes a microphone <b>13</b><i>a </i>corresponding to an acoustic sensor, and analyzes ambient sounds recorded by the microphone <b>13</b><i>a </i>to generate ambient sound analysis information. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates surroundings of its own apparatus based on at least one of the number of the measured apparatuses, the measured movement amount, and the ambient sound analysis information. Then, the communication controller <b>14</b> autonomously performs a communication control according to the estimated surroundings.

p-0020Here, performance of the communication control according to the estimated surroundings is as follows. For example, when call-disabled surroundings are estimated, the communication controller <b>14</b> stops ringing a ringing tone as the communication control. Alternatively, when call-enabled surroundings are estimated, the communication controller <b>14</b> receives a call by ringing a ringing tone as the communication control. As described above, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> performs an adaptive communication control so as to select a communication mode according to the estimated surroundings (details will be described below).

p-0021The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> will be described below. In an ad hoc network in which both terminals (wireless apparatuses) are directly connected to each other to establish a network, the terminal itself has a routing function, and performs a routing control for holding or finding a route for the wireless communication.

p-0022As a routing control system, a system referred to as a reactive routing control is used. In the reactive routing control system, when a data transfer is performed, a route is found. During the communication request, the presence of ambient terminals is further confirmed by emitting radio waves to prepare a routing table. The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> uses the routing control (e.g., reactive routing control) for use in the above-described ad hoc network to measure the number of apparatuses existing around.

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an operation example at the time of measuring the number of ambient apparatuses. Wireless apparatuses <b>2</b><i>a </i>to <b>2</b><i>c </i>exist around the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b>. The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> of the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> and those of the wireless apparatuses <b>2</b><i>a </i>to <b>2</b><i>c </i>each have a short range wireless communication function for mutually emitting radio waves in a short range to recognize the presence of ambient apparatuses at the time of preparing the routing table.

p-0024When the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> measures the number of the ambient apparatuses here, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> emits radio waves (radio waves of communication request) around. The radio waves reach the wireless apparatuses <b>2</b><i>a </i>to <b>2</b><i>c</i>, which each emit replay radio waves (radio waves of communication response) indicating that the radio waves are received. The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> receives the radio waves sent back from the wireless apparatuses <b>2</b><i>a </i>to <b>2</b><i>c </i>existing around, thereby measuring the number of the other wireless apparatuses existing around its own apparatus.

p-0025As described above, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> can measure the number of apparatuses existing around by the use of the routing control for use in the ad hoc network. As another method, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> may query the number of wireless apparatuses existing around to a network to which its own apparatus is wirelessly connected to obtain the number of the ambient apparatuses.

p-0026That is, with respect to a base station and server that locate within a wireless area in which the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> performs a wireless communication, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> may query the number of the other wireless apparatuses existing within the wireless area to obtain the number of the ambient apparatuses.

p-0027As described above, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> performs the routing control for use in the ad hoc network or an inquiry to the network, thereby accurately grasping the number of the adjacent wireless apparatuses.

p-0028As other methods, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> has a wireless communication function such as a bluetooth and an infrared communication function (IrDA: Infrared Data Association), thereby detecting the wireless apparatuses existing around to measure the number of the ambient apparatuses. Further, the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> notifies its own information to each other by broadcasting, thereby detecting the wireless apparatuses existing around to measure the number of the ambient apparatuses.

p-0029The ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> will be described below. The ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> analyses the ambient sounds recorded by the microphone <b>13</b><i>a </i>to generate the ambient sound analysis information. Specifically, as the ambient sound analysis information, the ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> generates an ambient sound level and a voice analysis value.

p-0030For example, when a user is not in a call state (such a state can be recognized by detecting that a communication call is not established), the ambient sound level is a level value obtained by measuring the amplitude of ambient sounds, wherein an average level having a fixed time length is used. Based on the fact that this ambient sound level is high or low, the communication controller <b>14</b> can determine whether a surrounding area of the user using the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> is noisy or quiet.

p-0031The voice analysis value indicates a degree (degree of mixing) of voices included in the ambient sounds. When performing a spectral analysis of the ambient sounds, the ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> can detect voice (babble noise) components except a voice of the user Using the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b>. Based on the fact that the voice analysis value is high or low, the communication controller <b>14</b> can determine whether the user using the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> exists in the crush.

p-0032A method of calculating the ambient sound level will be described here. The ambient sound level can be found as a square mean value of an amplitude value of digital audio signals, and calculated by the following formula (1).

p-0033<maths id="MATH-US-00001" num="00001"><math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mi>pow</mi><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mi>N</mi></mfrac><mo></mo><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mi>N</mi><mo>-</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></munderover><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><msup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>i</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math></maths>

p-0034In the above formula (1), x(i) represents an input voice, and N represents the number of samples of a frame for calculating a power level. For example, when finding an average of ‘a’ seconds, N=8000x′a′ under 8 kHz sampling conditions. When comparing an ambient sound level power calculated by the formula (1) to a previously-set threshold, the communication controller <b>14</b> can estimate whether the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> is present in the crush.

p-0035For example, when −40 dBov corresponds to a border of the noise, the communication controller <b>14</b> sets 107374 (square value) equal to approximately −40 dBov as a threshold. If the ambient sound level power is larger than this threshold, the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the surroundings are noisy. Meanwhile, if the ambient sound level power is equal to or smaller than this threshold, the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the surroundings are quiet.

p-0036Next, a method of calculating the voice analysis value will be described. For one example of detecting the degree of included voices, a linear prediction analysis method of identifying as a linear filter a transfer function for a generation process of a voice can be used. This method is a method of identifying, using a linear filter having a plurality of poles, modulation characteristics in which a sound signal passes through a vocal tract and is colored to a timbre. This method is used in an audio coding technology.

p-0037As illustrated in the following formula (2), this linear prediction analysis method is a linear coupling using past signals in the number of p, namely, a method of predicting present signals by using a linear filter.

p-0038<maths id="MATH-US-00002" num="00002"><math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><mrow><msub><mi>x</mi><mi>a</mi></msub><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>n</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>=</mo><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow><mi>p</mi></munderover><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msub><mi>α</mi><mi>i</mi></msub><mo>·</mo><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>n</mi><mo>-</mo><mi>i</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math></maths>

p-0039In the above formula (2), x_a(n) represents a present prediction sample, α_irepresents a prediction coefficient, p represents a prediction order, and x(n−i) represents a past prediction sample. The prediction coefficient can be found as a coefficient for minimizing an error (e(n) illustrated in formula (3)) between a prediction sample and a real sample (e.g., the prediction coefficient can be found by a recursive solution of Durbin from an equation of an autocorrelation technique).

p-0040<br /><i>e</i>(<i>n</i>)=<i>x</i>(<i>n</i>)−<i>x</i>_a(<i>n</i>)  (3)

p-0041A power ratio (prediction gain) between an audio signal x(n) supplied to a linear prediction filter and a prediction residual signal e(n) produced from the linear prediction filter corresponds to a linear prediction performance, and a degree of voices can be estimated from this prediction gain value.

p-0042Specific prediction gain G_pis calculated by formula (4).

p-0043<maths id="MATH-US-00003" num="00003"><math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>G</mi><mi>p</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mrow><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow><mi>p</mi></munderover><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><msub><mi>α</mi><mi>i</mi></msub><mo>·</mo><msub><mi>γ</mi><mi>i</mi></msub></mrow></mrow></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>1</mn><mrow><munderover><mo>∏</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow><mi>p</mi></munderover><mo></mo><mstyle><mspace width="0.3em" height="0.3ex" /></mstyle><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><msubsup><mi>k</mi><mi>i</mi><mn>2</mn></msubsup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math></maths>

p-0044In the above formula (4), γ_irepresents an autocorrelation coefficient, and k_irepresents a partial autocorrelation coefficient. Since the prediction gain value is known to be 10 to 14 dB in the case of voice, if the prediction gain value is equal to or smaller than the threshold of 0.3, the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that a mixing degree of voices is high.

p-0045On the other hand, as another method of estimating characteristics of a voice, pitch can also be used. The pitch is periodicity corresponding to a period of vibration of a vocal cord. If a period is short, a tone of a voice is high, whereas if a period is long, a tone of a voice is low. This corresponds to the fact that a correlation corresponding to a period length increases among samples. A correlation value (pitch correlation value) that gives a maximum value of the correlation in a period L can be calculated by formula (5).

p-0046<maths id="MATH-US-00004" num="00004"><math overflow="scroll"><mtable><mtr><mtd><mrow><msub><mi>P</mi><mi>L</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mi>N</mi><mo>-</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></munderover><mo></mo><msup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>n</mi><mo>-</mo><mi>i</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>·</mo><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>n</mi><mo>-</mo><mi>L</mi><mo>-</mo><mi>i</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mrow><mi>i</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mi>N</mi><mo>-</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></munderover><mo></mo><msup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo></mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>n</mi><mo>-</mo><mi>i</mi></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mfrac></mrow></mtd><mtd><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>5</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></mtd></mtr></mtable></math></maths>

p-0047The pitch correlation value takes a value of 0 to 1.0, and as its value is closer to 1.0, the pitch periodicity of the voice is high. Therefore, for example, if the prediction gain value is larger than the threshold of 0.7 and the pitch correlation value is equal to or larger than 0.7, the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the mixing degree of voices is high. Accordingly, the above-described prediction gain value and pitch correlation value can be used as a value indicating voice.

p-0048Next, specific examples in the case of performing the communication control according to the estimated surroundings will be described. First, four thresholds of the communication controller <b>14</b> will be described. The communication controller <b>14</b> sets a first threshold (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus number threshold) over which the number of the ambient apparatuses is considered large. The communication controller <b>14</b> sets a second threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a volume threshold) over which a volume level of the ambient sounds is considered high.

p-0049The communication controller <b>14</b> sets a third threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a voice threshold) over which a degree of voices included in the ambient sounds is considered high. In addition, the communication controller <b>14</b> sets a fourth threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a movement amount threshold) over which a moving speed of its own apparatus is considered fast, that is, its own apparatus is considered to be moving.

p-0050The communication controller <b>14</b> performs at least one comparison processing among comparisons between the number of apparatuses and the apparatus number threshold, the ambient sound level and the volume threshold, the voice analysis value and the voice threshold, and the movement amount and the movement amount threshold, thereby appropriately estimating surroundings to perform the communication control according to the estimated surroundings.

p-0051<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is the entire flowchart illustrating estimation operations of the surroundings.

p-0052[S<b>1</b>] The ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> measures the number of the ambient apparatuses.

p-0053[S<b>2</b>] The movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b> measures the movement amount of its own apparatus.

p-0054[S<b>3</b>] The ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> analyzes the ambient sounds to generate the ambient sound level.

p-0055[S<b>4</b>] The ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> analyzes the ambient sounds to generate the voice analysis value.

p-0056[S<b>5</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> performs a comparison between the number of apparatuses measured by the ambient apparatus number measurement unit <b>11</b> and the previously-set apparatus number threshold to output a comparison result.

p-0057[S<b>6</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> performs a comparison between the movement amount measured by the movement amount measurement unit <b>12</b> and the previously-set movement amount threshold to output a comparison result.

p-0058[S<b>7</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> performs a comparison between the ambient sound level generated by the ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> and the previously-set volume threshold to output a comparison result.

p-0059[S<b>8</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> performs a comparison between the voice analysis value generated by the ambient sound analysis unit <b>13</b> and the previously-set voice threshold to output a comparison result.

p-0060[S<b>9</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates surroundings based on the comparison results output in steps S<b>5</b> to S<b>8</b>.

p-0061[S<b>10</b>] The communication controller <b>14</b> autonomously performs the communication control according to the present surroundings based on the estimation results of the surroundings.

p-0062<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a surrounding estimation table. A surrounding estimation table T<b>1</b> illustrates states (of 2⁴ways) based on the determination of YES or NO illustrated in steps S<b>5</b> to S<b>8</b> in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. The surrounding estimation table T<b>1</b> includes attribute items such as item numbers, surroundings, number of ambient apparatuses, an ambient sound level, voice, a movement state, and call-enabled surroundings. Information on the surrounding estimation table T<b>1</b> is stored within a memory of the communication controller <b>14</b>.

On the Item Number #

1

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0063Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is larger than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result a<b>1</b>) and that the ambient sound level is higher than the volume threshold (defined as a determination result a<b>2</b>).

p-0064Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the voice analysis value is larger than the voice threshold (defined as a determination result a<b>3</b>) and that the movement amount is equal to or smaller than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result a<b>4</b>).

p-0065In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a number of persons are present around from the determination result a<b>1</b>, the surroundings are noisy from the determination result a<b>2</b>, a number of voices are included from the determination result a<b>3</b>, and its own apparatus remains stationary from the determination result a<b>4</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-enabled surroundings and, for example, that the user exists in a sports stadium or amusement arcade.

p-0066Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> performs the communication control of ringing a ringing tone at the time of receiving a call. Alternatively, the communication controller <b>14</b> may perform the communication control of gradually increasing a ringing tone to receive a call.

On the Item Number #

2

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0067Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is larger than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result b<b>1</b>) and that the ambient sound level is equal to or lower than the volume threshold (defined as a determination result b<b>2</b>).

p-0068Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the voice analysis value is larger than the voice threshold (defined as a determination result b<b>3</b>) and that the movement amount is equal to or smaller than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result b<b>4</b>).

p-0069In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a number of persons are present around from the determination result b<b>1</b>, the surroundings are quiet from the determination result b<b>2</b>, a number of voices are included from the determination result b<b>3</b>, and its own apparatus remains stationary from the determination result b<b>4</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-disabled surroundings and, for example, that the user exists in a movie theater or conference room of a lecture meeting.

p-0070Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> performs the communication control of stopping ringing a ringing tone at the time of receiving a call. Alternatively, the communication controller <b>14</b> prevents the user from receiving a call by ringing a ringing tone, and may perform the communication control of switching to a manner mode setting or automatic voice response.

On the Item Number #

3

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0071Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is equal to or smaller than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result c<b>1</b>) and that the ambient sound level is equal to or lower than the volume threshold (defined as a determination result c<b>2</b>).

p-0072Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the voice analysis value is larger than the voice threshold (defined as a determination result c<b>3</b>) and that the movement amount is equal to or smaller than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result c<b>4</b>).

p-0073In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a few persons are present around from the determination result c<b>1</b>, the surroundings are quiet from the determination result c<b>2</b>, a number of voices are included from the determination result c<b>3</b>, and its own apparatus remains stationary from the determination result c<b>4</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-enabled surroundings and, for example, that the user exists in a park or plaza. Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> performs the communication control of ringing a ringing tone at the time of receiving a call.

On the Item Numbers #

4

and #

5

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0074Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is equal to or smaller than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result d<b>1</b>) and that the voice analysis value is equal to or smaller than the voice threshold (defined as a determination result d<b>2</b>).

p-0075Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the movement amount is equal to or smaller than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result d<b>3</b>). Suppose that the ambient sound level may be higher or lower than the volume threshold.

p-0076In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a few persons are present around from the determination result d<b>1</b>, a few voices are included from the determination result d<b>2</b>, and its own apparatus remains stationary from the determination result d<b>3</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-enabled surroundings and, for example, that the user is present at home. Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> performs the communication control of ringing a ringing tone at the time of receiving a call.

On the Item Numbers #

6

and #

7

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0077Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is larger than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result e<b>1</b>) and that the ambient sound level is higher than the volume threshold (defined as a determination result e<b>2</b>).

p-0078Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the movement amount is larger than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result e<b>3</b>). Suppose that the voice analysis value may be larger or smaller than the voice threshold.

p-0079In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a number of persons are present around from the determination result e<b>1</b>, the surroundings are not quiet from the determination result e<b>2</b>, and its own apparatus moves from the determination result e<b>3</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-disabled surroundings and, for example, that the user is present in a train.

p-0080Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> performs the communication control of stopping ringing a ringing tone at the time of receiving a call. Alternatively, the communication controller <b>14</b> may perform the communication control of preventing the user from receiving a call by ringing a ringing tone and of switching to a manner mode setting or automatic voice response.

On the Item Numbers #

8

and #

9

of the Surrounding Estimation Table T

1

p-0081Suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the number of the ambient apparatuses is equal to or smaller than the apparatus number threshold (defined as a determination result f<b>1</b>) and that the voice analysis value is equal to or smaller than the voice threshold (defined as a determination result f<b>2</b>).

p-0082Further, suppose that the communication controller <b>14</b> determines that the movement amount is larger than the movement amount threshold (defined as a determination result f<b>3</b>). Suppose that the ambient sound level may be higher or lower than the volume threshold.

p-0083In this case, the communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that a few persons are present around from the determination result f<b>1</b>, a few voices are included from the determination result f<b>2</b>, and its own apparatus moves from the determination result f<b>3</b>. The communication controller <b>14</b> estimates that the above-described surroundings are call-disabled surroundings and, for example, that the user drives in a car. Accordingly, as one example of the communication control, the communication controller <b>14</b> may perform the communication control of preventing the user from receiving a call by ringing a ringing tone (and of switching to a manner mode setting or automatic voice response).

p-0084Surroundings on the item numbers #<b>10</b> to #<b>16</b> of the surrounding estimation table T<b>1</b> are excluded from control objects. In the above description, the communication controller <b>14</b> is assumed to perform the communication control of ringing a ringing tone in call-enabled surroundings. Alternatively, the communication controller <b>14</b> may perform the communication control of switching to a manner mode setting also in call-enabled surroundings.

p-0085The above-described content of the communication control under the estimated surroundings is one example. According to the surroundings, the user can freely set what communication control should be performed to the communication controller <b>14</b> through the user interface function provided on the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b>. Also in relation to the four thresholds described above, the user can arbitrarily change a set value.

p-0086In the above description, the number of the ambient apparatuses, the ambient sound level, the voice, and the movement amount are taken into consideration for estimation of the surroundings. Position information measured by GPS (global positioning system) may be further used as information for estimating the surroundings, and is combined with the four information units, thereby further improving the accuracy.

p-0087When using the position information obtained from GPS, the user using the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can recognize what geographical environment and use the position information at the time of determining whether that place is a call-enabled area.

p-0088As described above, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> is configured to perform the communication control in which an appropriate communication mode is adopted according to the estimated surroundings. A user himself or herself is conventionally demanded to arbitrarily change the setting of a cellular phone, for example, from the viewpoint of a manner at the time of using a cellular phone. However, the user bears a heavy burden when changing the setting in each case according to a sequentially-changing ambient environment.

p-0089As compared with the conventional case, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> estimates surroundings of a user, determines whether the surroundings are call-enabled surroundings or call-disabled surroundings, and adaptively performs a switching control of the communication mode according to the estimated surroundings. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can realize a remarkable improvement in user-friendliness.

p-0090As described above, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> is configured to estimate surroundings of its own apparatus based on the number of apparatuses, the movement amount, and the ambient sound analysis information, and to autonomously control a communication format of its own apparatus according to the estimated surroundings. As a result, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can perform the communication control taken into consideration up to the surroundings of the user and, therefore, dramatically improve user-friendliness.

p-0091The wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> uses the wireless communication interface, acceleration sensor, and microphone standard-mounted on a normal cellular phone, and obtains information for estimating the surroundings from the above-described device functions to perform the adaptive communication control. The wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can therefore perform the communication control by changing only embedded software. Accordingly, since a new hardware need not be added, the wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can realize improvement in serviceability with low cost. The proposed wireless communication apparatus <b>10</b> can realize improvement in user-friendliness.

p-0092All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment(s) of the present invention has(have) been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.