Wireless communication system

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication system with which an operation mode of a mobile information terminal can be easily changed by an instruction from a management terminal, thereby improving the convenience.SOLUTION: In a wireless management system, a management terminal 1 transmits an instruction for switching an operation mode to a mobile information terminal 10. The mobile information terminal 10 has a first memory 112 and a second memory 113, operates by using any one of the first memory 112 and the second memory with an application 111, and changes the operation mode by switching from one memory in use to the other memory in no use and performing an operation, on the basis of the operation-mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1. Each of the first memory 112 and the second memory 113 stores setting information required in a first operation mode and a second operation mode which are to be implemented in the mobile information terminal 10 so that the operation mode can be easily changed according to a situation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a wireless communication system capable of changing the operation mode of a mobile information terminal in response to an instruction from a management terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] [Prior Art] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventional wireless communication systems include, for example, a disaster prevention wireless system and a firefighting wireless system (hereinafter, referred to as a disaster prevention wireless communication system or the like). In disaster prevention radio systems, a communication console or management terminal of a higher-level station set up at a disaster prevention base or the like is connected to a base station of the wireless communication system via a line control device or the like, and a mobile information terminal that communicates wirelessly with the base station performs calls and data communications with the communication console and management terminal.

[0003] In such wireless communication systems, methods for preventing the operation of a mobile information terminal include cutting off the power supply to forcibly discharge the battery, or invalidating or erasing information for wireless connection.

[0004] However, in conventional wireless communication systems, once operation is inhibited using the above-mentioned method due to an operational error or the like, it is not easy to restore the system to an operational state, and it is necessary to take the mobile information terminal to a dedicated maintenance base to perform a restoration operation or to write information, which is inconvenient.

[0005] Furthermore, in conventional wireless communication systems, it was not possible to remotely control the operation of a mobile information terminal from a management terminal, which meant that if the mobile information terminal was lost or stolen, it could not be disabled, raising security concerns.

[0006] In other words, in conventional wireless communication systems, it was not possible to force a mobile information terminal to be unable to communicate or to return it to normal operation by instructions from a management terminal, and it was not possible to change the operating mode from the management terminal.

[0007] [Related Technology] Related prior art includes JP 11-184756 A, “Security control method and system for mobile information terminal, and recording medium on which the method is programmed and recorded” (Patent Document 1) and JP 2010-245839 A, “Information communication terminal” (Patent Document 2).

[0008] Patent Document 1 describes a method for detecting unauthorized use of a mobile information terminal by operating and managing the security functions of the mobile information terminal through access from a personal computer, deleting confidential information, and switching the terminal to an unusable state.

[0009] Patent document 2 describes how an information and communication terminal stores setting information for wirelessly connecting to a communication terminal such as a kiosk terminal used by an unspecified number of people, detects whether the communication status with the communication terminal, the connection status with a service, and the usage status of the service match specified conditions, and disables, erases, or updates the setting information based on the detection results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-184756 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-245839 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, in conventional wireless communication systems, the operating mode of a mobile information terminal is not forcibly changed by instructions from a higher-level management terminal, and there is a problem in that the system is inconvenient in terms of operation.

[0012] In particular, as explained in the above-mentioned prior art, if a mobile information terminal is lost or stolen, it cannot be made unusable from the management terminal, and it cannot be easily restored to a normal operational state thereafter.

[0013] Furthermore, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not describe a configuration in which a mobile information terminal is equipped with two memories that store setting information corresponding to an operating state, operates using one of the memories, and changes the operating mode by switching the memory used in response to instructions from a higher-level management terminal.

[0014] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and has an object to provide a wireless communication system that can easily change the operating mode of a mobile information terminal in response to instructions from a management terminal, and can improve convenience by setting the operating mode in accordance with the usage status of the mobile information terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The present invention, which solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional examples, is a wireless communication system having a management terminal for management, a circuit switch for performing wireless and wired circuit switching, a base station for controlling the wireless section, and a mobile information terminal for connecting wirelessly to the base station, wherein the management terminal transmits an operation mode switching instruction for switching the operation mode to the mobile information terminal, the mobile information terminal has a first memory and a second memory, and operates using either the first memory or the second memory in an application, and is characterized in that, in response to the operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal, one of the memories in use is switched to the other memory that is not in use.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned wireless communication system, the mobile information terminal stores in a first memory information used in a communication permitted operation mode that enables communication, and stores in a second memory information used in a communication prohibited operation mode that prohibits communication, and when the first memory is in use and the operation mode is communication permitted, upon receiving an operation mode switching instruction, the memory used is switched from the first memory to the second memory, and the operation mode is communication prohibited while being able to receive an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal.

[0017] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned wireless communication system, when the mobile information terminal receives an operation switching instruction while the second memory is being used and the operating mode is communication prohibited, it switches the memory being used from the second memory to the first memory and sets the operating mode to communication permitted.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned wireless communication system, the present invention is characterized in that the mobile information terminal stores in a first memory information used in a transmit / receive capable operating mode that enables transmission and reception, and stores in a second memory information used in a receive-only operating mode that only performs reception, and upon receiving an operation switching instruction from the management terminal, the memory used is switched to the first memory to enable the operating mode to transmit and receive, or the memory used is switched to the second memory to enable the operating mode to be receive-only.

[0019] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned wireless communication system, the present invention is characterized in that the mobile information terminal stores information to be used in the operating mode of the old system in a first memory and stores information to be used in the operating mode of the new system in a second memory, and upon receiving an operation switching instruction from the management terminal, switches the memory to be used to the first memory to use the operating mode of the new system, or switches the memory to be used to the second memory to use the operating mode of the old system. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication system having a management terminal for management, a circuit switch for performing wireless and wired circuit switching, a base station for controlling the wireless section, and a mobile information terminal for connecting wirelessly to the base station, wherein the management terminal transmits an operation mode switching instruction to the mobile information terminal for switching the operation mode, and the mobile information terminal is provided with a first memory and a second memory and operates using either the first memory or the second memory in an application, and the wireless communication system switches from one of the memories in use to the other memory that is not in use in response to an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal. Therefore, by storing information required for the two operation modes realized by the mobile information terminal in the first memory and the second memory, respectively, it is possible to easily change the operation mode or restore it to its original state by switching the memory to be used in response to an instruction from the management terminal, thereby improving convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the present system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a mobile information terminal 10. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration inside a control unit 11. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of switching the operation mode in the control unit 11 of the mobile information terminal 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Outline of the embodiment] A wireless communication system (this system) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a management terminal and a mobile information terminal, the management terminal transmitting an instruction to switch the operating mode to the mobile information terminal, the mobile information terminal having a first memory and a second memory and operating using either the first memory or the second memory in an application, and changing the operating mode by switching from one of the memories in use to the other memory not in use based on an instruction to switch the operating mode from the management terminal, and by storing the setting information required for the two operating modes to be realized by the mobile information terminal in the first memory and the second memory respectively, the operating mode can be forcibly changed from the management terminal depending on the usage status of the mobile information terminal, and for example, when the mobile information terminal is lost, the operating mode can be easily switched from the management terminal to an operating mode that does not allow communication, and when it is returned to the user, thereby improving convenience.

[0023] [System configuration: Figure 1] This system will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of this system. As shown in FIG. 1, this system basically comprises a management terminal 1, a communication console 2, a circuit switch 3, a base station 4, and a mobile information terminal 10.

[0024] The management terminal 1 manages and sets up the system, and communicates with each unit in the system. As a feature of this system, the management terminal 1 manages the operation mode of the mobile information terminal 10, and transmits an instruction (operation mode switching instruction) to forcibly change the operation mode of the mobile information terminal 10 based on an instruction from the operation unit. The operation accompanying the operation mode switching instruction will be described later.

[0025] The communication console 2 corresponds to a command console of a disaster prevention radio system or a firefighting radio system, and performs calls and data communications with the mobile information terminal 10. The base station 4 controls the wireless section and performs wireless communication with the mobile information terminal 10. The circuit switch 3 is connected to the management terminal 1, the communication console 2, and the base station 4, and performs circuit switching according to the communication. The mobile information terminal 10 is a mobile terminal that is mounted in a vehicle or carried by a person, and communicates with the management terminal 1 and the communication console 2 via a base station 4. The mobile information terminal 10 may be fixed to a specific location. When the mobile information terminal 10 of this system receives an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1, it switches its operation mode based on the instruction. The operation of the mobile information terminal 10 will be described later.

[0026] [Mobile information terminal configuration: Figure 2] Next, the configuration of the mobile information terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the mobile information terminal 10. 2, the mobile information terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, a microphone 14, and a speaker 15. In addition, the mobile information terminal 10 may include a display unit and an operation unit, but these will not be described here.

[0027] The transmitter 12 up-converts and amplifies a transmission signal input from the controller 11 via a D / A converter, and transmits the signal from an antenna. The receiving unit 13 amplifies and down-converts the signal received by the antenna, and outputs the signal to the control unit 11 via an A / D conversion unit. The microphone 14 receives voice, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the control unit 11 . The speaker 15 converts the electrical signal from the control unit 11 into sound and outputs it to the outside.

[0028] The control unit 11 controls the entire mobile information terminal 10, and includes a memory for storing programs and various data, and a processing unit for activating programs to realize processing. Here, the control unit 11 also performs digital signal processing such as encoding / decoding and modulation / demodulation associated with transmission and reception. The configuration of the control unit 11 will be described later. When the control unit 11 of the mobile information terminal 10 receives an instruction to change the operation mode (operation mode switching instruction) from the management terminal 1, the control unit 11 performs processing to change the operation mode in accordance with the instruction. The change of the operation mode will be described later.

[0029] [Schematic configuration of the control unit 11: Figure 3] Next, the schematic configuration within the control unit 11 of the mobile information terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration within the control unit 11. Fig. 3 shows only the part of the configuration of the control unit 11 that is related to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 includes an application unit 111, a first memory 112, and a second memory 113.

[0030] The first memory 112 stores various setting information, parameters, codes, etc., required to realize the first operation mode. The second memory 113 stores various setting information, parameters, codes, etc., required to realize the second operation mode.

[0031] The application unit 111 is a processing unit that performs processing that characterizes this embodiment, and performs processing to switch the operation mode of the mobile information terminal 10 based on an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1. Specifically, when the application unit 111 receives an instruction to switch operation modes from the management terminal 1, it switches the memory being used from one memory currently in use to the other memory not currently in use, and changes the operation mode by reading information from the other memory and performing the operation.

[0032] In other words, in the mobile information terminal 10 of this system, the operating mode is determined by whether the first memory 112 or the second memory 113 is used, and when an operating mode switching instruction is received, the operating mode is switched from one mode to the other mode. In this case, the operation switching instruction from the management terminal 1 is a simple instruction to switch the memory to be used, and does not include information on the operation mode to be set, so it can be simple information. However, the management terminal 1 recognizes and manages the operation mode of each mobile information terminal 10.

[0033] Also, information specifying the operation mode to be set may be included in the operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1. In this case, the application unit 111 stores the information on the operation mode and the memory to be used in association with each other, reads the information on the operation mode included in the received operation mode switching instruction, and uses the corresponding memory.

[0034] The two types of operating modes (first operating mode / second operating mode) include, for example, a set of operating modes such as whether to communicate or not (communication permitted / communication prohibited), whether to transmit and receive or only receive (transmit and receive permitted / receive only), or, during a transitional period between systems, whether to operate for the old system or for the new system (for old system / for new system).

[0035] The communication permission / prohibition mode is such that the operation mode is communication permitted under normal circumstances, and communication is prohibited in the event of loss or theft. In addition, the mode of transmission and reception possible / reception only may be set to transmission and reception possible during normal times, and reception only during emergencies such as disasters. This prevents information from being mixed up, and enables the mobile information terminal 10 to reliably receive commands from the upper communication console 2. In the old system / new system mode, the new system can be tested without having to prepare a terminal dedicated to the new system, which greatly improves convenience.

[0036] In the mobile information terminal 10, information required to realize a first operational mode is written in advance to the first memory 112 according to the operational mode desired to be realized by the mobile information terminal 10, and information required to realize a second operational response is written in the second memory 113.

[0037] However, in this mobile information terminal 10, when the operation mode is communication prohibited, all reception is not prohibited, but an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1 is made receivable, and processing for switching the operation mode is performed by the application 111. Therefore, the second memory 113 stores information required for receiving and demodulating the operation mode switching instruction. For example, the operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1 includes a flag (identification information) or the like at a specific position in the transmitted data, and the application unit 111 discards the information if the flag is not present in the received data, and performs operation mode switching accordingly when it recognizes the flag.

[0038] As a result, even if the operating mode is once communication is prohibited, by sending an operating mode switching instruction from the management terminal 1, the operating mode will become one in which communication is permitted, and the communication can be easily returned from the communication prohibited state to a communication permitted state.

[0039] [Operation mode switching in mobile information terminal 10: FIG. 4] Next, the operation of this system will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of switching the operation mode in the control unit 11 of the mobile information terminal 10. 4(a) shows the default state of the mobile information terminal 10 of this system. Here, the first operation mode is communication permitted, and the second operation mode is communication prohibited, and in the default state, the application 111 operates using the first memory 112 corresponding to the first operation mode. In this state, the mobile information terminal 10 is capable of communication.

[0040] For example, when it is desired to suppress the communication operation of the mobile information terminal 10 due to loss or the like, the management terminal 1 transmits an operation switching instruction to the mobile information terminal 10 in question. 4(b), when the mobile information terminal 10 receives an operation switching instruction from the management terminal 1 (1), the application unit 111 switches the memory to be used from the first memory 112 currently in use to the second memory 113 not currently in use (2). This puts the mobile information terminal 10 in a communication prohibited state. However, it is still possible to receive operation switching instructions from the management terminal 1.

[0041] Then, when the mobile information terminal 10 is returned to the proper user, the management terminal 1 transmits an operation switching instruction to the mobile information terminal 10 again. 4(c), when the mobile information terminal 10 receives an operation switching instruction from the management terminal 1 (3), the application unit 111 switches the memory being used from the second memory 113 to the first memory 112 (4). As a result, the mobile information terminal 10 enters an operation mode that allows communication, and returns to a state in which transmission and reception are possible. In this manner, the mobile information terminal 10 of this system operates.

[0042] In the above example, the first operating mode / second operating mode was set to "communication permitted / communication prohibited," but switching can be performed in a similar manner even if the operating mode is "sending and receiving permitted / receiving only" or "for old system / for new system."

[0043] [Effects of the embodiment] According to this wireless communication system, the management terminal 1 transmits an instruction to switch the operation mode to the mobile information terminal 10. The mobile information terminal 10 has a first memory 112 and a second memory 113, and operates using either the first memory 112 or the second memory with an application 111. Based on an instruction to switch the operation mode from the management terminal 1, the operation mode is changed by switching from one of the memories currently in use to the other memory that is not in use and performing an operation. By storing setting information required for the first operation mode and the second operation mode realized by the mobile information terminal 10 in the first memory 112 and the second memory 113, respectively, the operation mode can be forcibly changed from the management terminal 1 according to the usage status of the mobile information terminal 10. For example, when the mobile information terminal 10 is lost, the memory that is not normally used can be switched to use, resulting in an operation mode in which communication is not possible, and when the mobile information terminal 10 is returned to its owner, the memory can be switched to the memory that is normally used, resulting in a return to an operation mode in which communication is possible. This switching can be easily performed from the management terminal, which has the effect of improving convenience.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this wireless communication system, the information stored in the first memory and the second memory of the mobile information terminal 10 is information corresponding to an operational mode of communication permitted / prohibited, information corresponding to an operational mode of transmission and reception permitted / reception only, and information corresponding to an operational mode for the old system / new system, thereby enabling the operational mode of the mobile information terminal 10 to be changed according to various situations, thereby improving convenience. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] The present invention is suitable for a wireless communication system in which the operating mode of a mobile information terminal can be changed in response to an instruction from a management terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... management terminal, 2... communication console, 3... circuit switch, 4... base station, 5... mobile information terminal, 11... control unit, 12... transmission unit, 13... reception unit, 14... microphone, 15... speaker, 111... application, 112... first memory, 113... second memory

Claims

1. A wireless communication system having a management terminal for management, a circuit switch for performing circuit switching between wireless and wired communication, a base station for controlling a wireless section, and a mobile information terminal for wirelessly connecting to the base station, the management terminal transmits, to the mobile information terminal, an operation mode switching instruction for switching an operation mode; The mobile information terminal is equipped with a first memory and a second memory, and an application operates using either the first memory or the second memory, and in response to an operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal, the mobile information terminal switches from one of the memories in use to the other memory that is not in use, thereby providing a wireless communication system.

2. the mobile information terminal stores, in the first memory, information used in a communication permission operation mode that enables communication, and stores, in the second memory, information used in a communication prohibition operation mode that prohibits communication; The wireless communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first memory is in use and the operation mode is the communication permitted, upon receiving the operation mode switching instruction, the memory to be used is switched from the first memory to the second memory, the operation mode is set to the communication prohibited, while the operation mode switching instruction from the management terminal can be received.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that when the mobile information terminal receives the operation switching instruction while the second memory is being used and the operation mode is the communication prohibited, the mobile information terminal switches the memory being used from the second memory to the first memory and sets the operation mode to the communication permitted.

4. The wireless communication system described in claim 1, characterized in that the mobile information terminal stores in the first memory information used in a transmit / receive capable operating mode that enables transmission and reception, and stores in the second memory information used in a receive-only operating mode that only performs reception, and when it receives an operation switching instruction from the management terminal, it switches the memory used to the first memory to make the operating mode transmit / receive capable, or switches the memory used to the second memory to make the operating mode receive-only.

5. The wireless communication system described in claim 1, characterized in that the mobile information terminal stores information used in the operating mode of the old system in the first memory and stores information used in the operating mode of the new system in the second memory, and when it receives an operation switching instruction from the management terminal, it switches the memory used to the first memory to use the operating mode of the new system, or switches the memory used to the second memory to use the operating mode of the old system.

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