JP5961436B2 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device used for a car navigation system or the like.

  Car navigation systems are now widespread and use route guidance from their current location to their destination as a basic function. In addition to this basic function, various extended functions have been devised and provided to improve the added value of the vehicle and to differentiate it from competitors. As described above, the function of the car navigation system is largely divided into a basic function and an extended function.

  The basic function is a product essential function. Current position information is acquired by GPS (Global Positioning System), and destination guidance is implemented through a map screen and voice guidance in conjunction with this information. A typical example of this extended function is a real-time VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System) service that provides a detailed service in real time in cooperation with a data center using a wide area communication network. In addition to the expanded basic functions described above, there are a wide variety of additional functions such as hands-free service using a mobile phone that assists the driver while driving and entertainment service using a portable music player. Yes. In such a situation, when an attempt is made to expand or introduce functions by following up, there are cases in which not only costs but also technical aspects such as physical constraints have to be abandoned.

JP 2011-166695 A

As described above, even if various extended functions are developed, the car navigation system installed in the vehicle when selling a new car can introduce the extended function only within the range of the option selection frame. For products with a long life cycle, there are many elements that are limited to the functions associated with the car navigation system that is already installed to provide new added value. It is in a state that can only be handled by replacing it.
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device that can add a new function while maintaining an existing function without modifying an existing device. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention has a short-range wireless communication function using a frequency hopping method, and a function and voice for performing direct data communication with a public network A wireless communication device used in a wireless communication system, comprising: a first device as a navigation system having no call function; and a second device as a mobile phone having the short-range wireless communication function , voice call function, and hands-free function. A first communication module that performs wireless communication using the short-range wireless communication function; a second communication module that performs data communication via a public network; and the service attribute of the own device is set as the service attribute of the second device and, a connection request from the first device to the second device masquerading as the second device received by the first communication module, the first First wireless control means for establishing a first wireless link for data communication between the device and the first device as a master, and the service attribute of the device as a service attribute of the first device The first communication module receives a connection request from the second device to the first device by impersonating the first device, and uses the second device as a master for the second device. A second wireless control means for establishing a second wireless link for voice communication with the device as a slave, and the first device in response to a connection request from the first device without passing through the second device; via the first radio link connected to the public network by the second communication module, the first device via I line data communication, the first wireless link the received data with the public network Data communication means to transfer to The hands-free voice communication by the hands-free function of the second device performs via the second radio link without passing through the first device, the public voice generated by a user is detected by the microphone of the apparatus A hands-free voice communication means for transmitting to the network and receiving the received voice of the other party from the public network from a speaker of the own device, and using the own device as a master, the first device and the second device The first device and the second device establish a wireless link with each other by using the short-range wireless communication function as a slave, and the second communication module replaces the first device without establishing a wireless link with each other. Data communication is performed with the public network, data received from the public network is transferred to the first device via the first wireless link, and the second network A hands-free voice call is performed by the hands-free function of the second device via a line link .

  According to the first aspect, by applying the wireless technology, the cost of the existing first device due to the physical equipment replacement and refurbishment, and the installation of wiring and the like that would accompany the installation of the wireless communication device. New functions and services can be provided while maintaining existing equipment services without burdens.

According to a second aspect of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first device is a navigation system, and the second device is a mobile phone having a hands-free function. .
According to the second aspect, by using the wireless communication device, for example, a new mobile phone can be used while maintaining the existing dial-up connection function without exchanging or modifying the existing navigation system. A hands-free function can be added.

  According to a third aspect of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the first standard for a short-range wireless communication function included in the first apparatus and the short-range wireless communication included in the second apparatus. When the function and the second standard are different, the first communication module is compatible with the first standard and the second standard.

  According to the third aspect described above, it is not necessary to upgrade the navigation system in accordance with the version of the mobile phone, for example, by complementing the difference in the version of the wireless communication standard in the wireless communication device.

  That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication apparatus that can add a new function while maintaining an existing function without modifying an existing device.

The figure which shows one Embodiment of the radio | wireless communications system using the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. The flowchart which shows the radio link establishment process of the radio | wireless communications system shown in FIG.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a wireless communication system using a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. The wireless communication device 3 includes a navigation system 1 (first device) having a short-range wireless communication function using a frequency hopping method, and a mobile phone 2 (second device) having the short-range wireless communication function and the voice call function. Used in a wireless communication system.
In the following description, the first communication module will be described as a short-range wireless communication unit, and the second communication module will be described as a public network communication module.

  As the short-range wireless communication function using the frequency hopping method, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard using a radio frequency of 2.4 GHz band is adopted. Bluetooth adopts a master / slave system, and forms a wireless service area called a piconet with a radius of about 10 m around a master device. The master can wirelessly connect up to seven devices existing in this wireless service area as slaves.

In the present embodiment, a hands-free function is newly added to the navigation system 1 dedicated to data communication having only a dial-up function for data communication using the mobile phone 2 or the like using the wireless communication device 3. An example of adding on as value will be described.
In FIG. 1, a navigation system 1 has a basic function of route guidance from the present location to a destination, and also a short-range wireless communication unit 11 corresponding to a Bluetooth communication function, and a dial of a mobile phone 2 of a device capable of public network communication. An information providing service unit 12 that provides VICS information, weather information, and the like using the up function is provided. The navigation system 1 is configured as, for example, an in-vehicle device, and power is supplied from a vehicle battery.

The cellular phone 2 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 21 corresponding to the Bluetooth communication function, a hands-free service unit 22 that provides a hands-free call function, and a public network communication unit 23 that enables voice calls via the public network WAN. Have.
The wireless communication device 3 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 31 that supports a Bluetooth communication function, a public network communication module 32 that enables dial-up connection to the public network WAN, and enables data communication, a wireless control unit 33, a data communication unit 34, And a hands-free voice communication unit 35. Further, a microphone and a speaker for hands-free calling are connected to the wireless communication device 3. The wireless communication device 3 is connected to the navigation system 1 by a power supply cord, and power is supplied from the power supply cord in conjunction with power-on of the navigation system 1, but the power is directly supplied from the vehicle battery. Or a configuration in which the wireless communication device 3 is individually provided with a power source.

  The wireless control unit 33 impersonates the mobile phone 2 as a connection request from the navigation system 1 to the mobile phone and receives it by the short-range wireless communication unit 31 and establishes a wireless link for data communication (the first link) with the navigation system 1. Wireless link). Further, the wireless control unit 33 impersonates the navigation system 1 as a connection request from the mobile phone 2 to the navigation system and receives it by the short-range wireless communication unit 31 and establishes a wireless link for voice communication with the mobile phone 2 ( Second radio link) is established. Details of this processing will be described later.

In response to a dial-up connection request from the navigation system 1, the data communication unit 34 connects the navigation system 1 to the public network WAN by the public network communication module 32 via the established wireless link for data communication.
The hands-free voice communication unit 35 inputs a voice uttered by a user with a microphone when performing a hands-free call using the mobile phone 2 via the established wireless link for voice communication, Audio is output from the speaker.

  Next, the operation of the wireless communication system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing radio link establishment processing of the radio communication system shown in FIG. Since the navigation system 1 is dedicated to data communication, it is assumed that only a wireless connection is made to a device recognized as a mobile phone that is a device connected to the public network.

In FIG. 2, when the navigation system 1 is turned on, the wireless communication device 3 is turned on in conjunction with this (step S1). On the other hand, the mobile phone 2 is turned on (step S2). Here, the navigation system 1 and the wireless communication apparatus 3 are described as being operated in conjunction with each other, and the cellular phone 2 is later powered on. However, the timing when the cellular phone 2 is powered on is particularly limited. For example, a procedure in which the navigation system 1 and the wireless communication device 3 are powered on while the cellular phone 2 is kept powered on is also assumed.
First, the wireless control unit 33 of the wireless communication device 3 sets its own device type to the device type of the mobile phone (Device Class = “CELL Phone”) and waits for a connection request (Status = “Page Scan Enable”). And waits for a connection request while periodically switching the reception frequency (step S3). Note that a timer is set at this time, and if a connection request is not received within a predetermined time and a timeout occurs, the process proceeds to step S11.

  The navigation system 1 detects (Page Scan) a remote device that exists in the wireless service area in the short-range wireless communication of the device itself (step S4). When the wireless communication device 3 waiting for a connection request is detected, the navigation system 1 recognizes the wireless communication device 3 as a mobile phone (Device Class = “CELL Phone”) that is the target device. Similarly, the mobile phone 2 also detects a remote device (Page Scan) existing in the wireless service area in the short-range wireless communication of its own device (Step S5). Here, when the wireless communication device 3 waiting for a connection request is detected, the mobile phone 2 recognizes the wireless communication device 3 as a peripheral similar device (Device Class = “CELL Phone”), and the target device (Device (Class = “Audio / Video”) is repeatedly detected.

  The navigation system 1 transmits a DUN (Dial-Up Networking Profile) link connection request for dial-up connection to the detected wireless communication device 3 (step S6). When a connection response (operable with the DUN profile) is transmitted from the wireless communication device 3 to the navigation system 1 (step S7), a DUN link is established between the navigation system 1 and the wireless communication device 3 (step S8). Then, after this DUN link is established, the wireless communication device 3 confirms the dependency relationship of this link. If the own device is not the master, the wireless communication device 3 switches the own device to the master (step S9), and makes the navigation system 1 a slave. Switching (step S10).

  Next, the wireless communication device 3 shifts to a connection process with the mobile phone 2 when the wireless link establishment process with the navigation system 1 is completed or timed out. The wireless control unit 33 of the wireless communication device 3 sets the device type of its own device to the device type of the navigation system (Device Class = “Audio / Video”) and enters a connection request waiting state (Status = “Page Scan Enable”). It sets and waits for a connection request while periodically switching the reception frequency (step S11). Note that a timer is set at this time, and if a connection request is not received within a predetermined time and a timeout occurs, the process proceeds to step S18.

  The cellular phone 2 detects (Page Scan) a remote device that exists in the wireless service area of its own device (step S12). When the wireless communication device 3 waiting for a connection request is detected, the mobile phone 2 recognizes the wireless communication device 3 as a navigation system (Device Class = “Audio / Video”) as a target device.

  The mobile phone 2 transmits a connection request for an HFP (Hands Free Profile) link for performing a hands-free voice call to the detected wireless communication device 3 (step S13). When a connection response (operable with the HFP profile) is transmitted from the wireless communication device 3 to the mobile phone 2 (step S14), an HFP link is established between the mobile phone 2 and the wireless communication device 3 (step S15). After the HFP link is established, the wireless communication device 3 confirms the dependency relationship of the link. If the device is not the master, the wireless communication device 3 switches the device to the master (step S16), and makes the mobile phone 2 a slave. Switching (step S17).

  After performing such wireless link establishment processing, the wireless communication device 3 enters an operating state (step S18). By using the wireless communication device 3 in this way, a new hands-free function can be added while maintaining the existing dial-up connection function without exchanging or modifying the existing navigation system 1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the dependency relationship establishment associated with the Bluetooth wireless establishment and the service profile exchange information that is the higher-level service attribute are appropriately variably handled, so that the device can be appropriately connected with each other. Functions can be added. In other words, by applying the dependency relationship “piconet method” defined by Bluetooth and using the above procedure, it is possible to add a new function (add-on) without modifying the existing function.

  Conventionally, when adding functions to the navigation system itself, existing facilities have a minimum number of physical function expansion interfaces (contact points), and network topology configuration and guarantees have been kept to a minimum. . Also, there was no protocol version update means associated with communication standard expansion. As a result, it is necessary to completely replace the equipment, which increases the cost burden.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, by using wireless communication, the cost associated with installation of wiring and the like that would be required for equipment installation is not required without exchanging expensive existing navigation, etc. Minimize the cost required. Only the function desired by the user can be added, and only the price of the function is generated, so that it is the best cost-effective and there is no unnecessary additional product.

  Further, for example, even when the version of the wireless communication standard is different between the navigation system 1 and the mobile phone 2, a plurality of short-range wireless communication units or both versions are supported so that the wireless communication device 3 can support each version. Is provided with a short-range wireless communication unit having compatibility. By supplementing the difference in the version of the wireless communication standard in the wireless communication device 3, for example, it is not necessary to upgrade the navigation system 1 in accordance with the version of the mobile phone 2.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, new functions and services can be provided without applying physical equipment replacement and losing existing equipment services by applying wireless technology that guarantees interconnection. it can. Further, by compressing the transfer data and transfer message in the wireless communication device 3, it is possible to expect improvements in performance and efficiency on the additional side, such as reducing the physical transfer amount and improving transfer performance.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the hands-free function is added as a new function has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an entertainment service using a portable music player, for example, using the wireless communication device 3. And file transfer services (still images, videos, phone books, etc.) can be added.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navigation system, 11 ... Near field communication part, 12 ... Information provision service part, 2 ... Mobile telephone, 21 ... Near field communication part, 22 ... Hands free service part, 23 ... Public network communication part, 3 ... Wireless Communication device 31 ... Short-range wireless communication unit 32 ... Public network communication module 33 ... Wireless control unit 34 ... Data communication unit 35 ... Hands-free voice communication unit

Claims (2)

A first device as a navigation system having a short-range wireless communication function using a frequency hopping method, directly performing data communication with a public network, and having no voice call function; and the short-range wireless communication function , A wireless communication device used in a wireless communication system comprising the second device as a mobile phone having the voice call function and the hands-free function ,
A first communication module that performs wireless communication by the short-range wireless communication function;
A second communication module for performing data communication via a public network;
The service attribute of the own device is set to the service attribute of the second device, and a connection request from the first device to the second device is impersonated by the second device and received by the first communication module. A first radio control means for establishing a first radio link for data communication with the apparatus as a master and the first apparatus as a slave;
The service attribute of the own device is set to the service attribute of the first device, and a connection request from the second device to the first device is received by the first communication module while pretending to be the first device . A second wireless control means for establishing a second wireless link for voice communication between the two devices and having the own device as a master and the second device as a slave;
In response to a connection request from the first device, the first device is connected to the public network by the second communication module via the first wireless link without going through the second device, and data communication means for transferring data communications I line, the received data via the first radio link to the first device between,
A hands-free voice call based on the hands-free function of the second device is performed via the second wireless link without going through the first device, and a voice uttered by a user is input by a microphone of the own device, and the public network And a hands-free voice communication means for outputting the received voice of the other party received from the public network from the speaker of the own device ,
The first device and the second device establish a wireless link with each other by establishing a wireless link with the own device as a master and each of the first device and the second device as slaves by the short-range wireless communication function. Instead, the second communication module performs data communication with the public network instead of the first device, and transfers data received from the public network to the first device via the first wireless link. A wireless communication device that performs a hands-free voice call by a hands-free function of the second device via the second wireless link . When the first standard of the short-range wireless communication function of the first device is different from the second standard of the short-range wireless communication function of the second device, the first communication module The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication apparatus is compatible with the second standard.

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