Wireless communication network system and wireless communication terminal

Abstract

To provide a system capable of instantly switching a group organization / integration state from each wireless communication terminal in a simple wireless communication network.SOLUTION: In a network in which there are N sets of groups with different use channels in which wireless communication according to a simplex system is executed, a terminal belonging to each group is provided with (N-1) sub-reception demodulation part set to a use channel of another group together with a modulation transmission part and a main reception demodulation part set to the use channel of the belonging group. An output of each sub-reception demodulation part is synthesized with the output of the main reception demodulation part via a muting part, and a synthesized demodulated signal is reproduced by voice. When any one of the terminals in the network transmits an organized signal / integrated signal of the group, the muting part of the terminal itself is brought into a mute / non-mute state, and the other terminal also receives the organized signal / integrated signal by the reception demodulation part to control the muting part to a similar state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a network system and its wireless communication equipment that can switch between a group organization state in which there are multiple groups in which simplex communication is performed between multiple wireless communication terminals, and a group integration state in which groups are integrated to enable simplex communication between wireless communication terminals in different groups, in a simplex wireless communication network composed of business wireless communication terminals such as those of a specific low-power standard. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless communication devices that comply with the specified low-power standard (see Non-Patent Document 1 below) are used for voice communication over relatively short distances using the 400 MHz band, and are also license-free radio stations. As such, they are widely used for business-related communication between employees outdoors at various work sites such as construction sites, and indoors at relatively large restaurants and home improvement stores with ample space.

[0003] Furthermore, radio communication devices conforming to the digital simplex radio standard (see Non-Patent Document 2 below) are radio stations that can be established with a relatively simple application, and while the specified low-power standard allows for a maximum radio wave output of 10 mW, these devices are permitted for a maximum radio wave output of 5 W, which significantly increases the communication distance, making them suitable for use in large event venues and for communication between floors of high-rise buildings.

[0004] Generally, simplex communication is often adopted for wireless communication for business communication, and communication is maintained within a business group by repeating transmission and reception using a single channel. However, for example, at a construction site, it may be better to separate communication channels between the site supervisor and responsible person and communication channels between workers.Also, when guarding an exhibition venue, it is often more effective to divide the area and maintain close communication within each divided area, rather than using a single channel for overall communication throughout the entire area.

[0005] Therefore, the basic issue is how large the scope of group communication should be. Naturally, it is desirable to be able to switch between an operational state of multiple small communication groups (group organization state) and an operational state of a larger communication group that integrates these groups (group integration state) as appropriate. Such network operation is particularly required in preparation for situations where information needs to be shared through an emergency integrated communication network, such as in the event of an accident or disaster.

[0006] On the other hand, in the network using the simplex communication method for business communication mentioned above, as shown in Figure 9, if wireless communication terminals (101, 102, 103) and (201, 202, 203) belonging to groups G1 and G2 are conducting simplex communication on channels A and B, respectively, communication between the groups is not possible unless one group matches the channel it is using to the channel of the other group, and there is no way for the groups to communicate with each other. Furthermore, changing channels requires a complex communication sequence that takes time, and even if one terminal in group G1 changes its transmitting and receiving channel to channel B and becomes able to communicate with each terminal in group G2 using simplex communication, the other terminals in group G1 remain as they were and have no way of knowing about the situation.

[0007] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wireless communication method for reorganizing two ad-hoc wireless LANs into one integrated wireless LAN. In this wireless communication method, when any group A performs network communication, one of the wireless terminals aa belonging to that group becomes the group host, performs carrier sensing to check the channel used by one of the wireless terminals bb of another group B, and executes an information exchange procedure regarding whether or not the groups can be merged and the communication channel to be used by exchanging packets between the two wireless terminals aa and bb.If the groups can be merged and the communication channel to be used has been determined, each wireless terminal aa and bb notifies the other terminals of groups A and B, respectively, and has them set the determined communication channel, thereby starting equal-distributed network communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-135965 [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, "Specific Low-Power Radio Stations / Radio Equipment for Radio Telephones / Standard Specifications," RCR STD-20 Version 5.1, revised October 29, 2021 [Non-patent document 2] Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, "Radio Equipment for Digital Simple Radio Stations," ARIB STD-T98 Version 2.0, revised October 4, 2023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] As described above, in group communications using wireless communication terminals that are used in many business fields, it is convenient to be able to switch between the operational state of a small communication group and the operational state of a large communication group that integrates those groups, and it is believed that this will enable rational operation that is suited to a variety of uses.

[0011] However, as with conventional methods, in order for one group to match its channel usage with the channel usage of another group, it must either know the channel usage of the other group in advance, or if it does not know, it must find out by scanning or the like.Even if it knows the channel usage, it must also notify other terminals in the group to which it belongs that they should change to that channel. Therefore, the procedures for merging and unmerging groups are quite complicated and time-consuming, and considering that this is often an emergency, it cannot be said to be user-friendly. In the wireless communication method of Patent Document 1, wireless terminals aa and bb execute the procedure on behalf of groups A and B, but there still remain problems in terms of responsiveness. Furthermore, while the above assumes the case of two communication groups, if three or more communication groups are to be integrated and then disintegrated, the procedure for carrying this out through prior communication becomes extremely complicated, and it is naturally impossible to expect quick response.

[0012] Therefore, taking the above problems into consideration, the present invention aims to provide a wireless communication network system and a wireless communication terminal that can be quickly switched between a group formation state in which multiple groups consisting of multiple wireless communication terminals communicate independently on a group-by-group basis using simplex communication, and a group integration state in which multiple groups are integrated into one and all wireless communication terminals communicate with each other using simplex communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The wireless communication network system of the present invention is a network in which there are N groups (N is an integer of 2 or more) made up of a plurality of wireless communication terminals and performing wireless communication by simplex method, with different channels used, and each wireless communication terminal constituting each group comprises a modulation transmission unit and a main reception demodulation unit set to the channel used by the group to which the wireless communication terminal belongs, (N-1) auxiliary reception demodulation units set to the channels used by (N-1) groups other than the group to which the wireless communication terminal belongs, (N-1) muting means for controlling each output signal of each auxiliary reception demodulation unit to be in a mute state or a non-mute state, signal synthesis means for synthesizing the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit and the output signal of each muting unit and outputting the signal to an audio reproduction means, command transmission means for generating a group organization signal or a group integration signal in response to an instruction input from an operation means and transmitting the signal from the modulation transmission unit in a transmission mode, and mute control means for setting each of the muting means to a mute state when a loop organization signal is transmitted or when the main receiving demodulation unit or any of the sub receiving demodulation units receives the group organization signal, and for setting each of the muting means to a non-mute state when the modulating / transmitting unit transmits the group integration signal or when the main receiving demodulation unit or any of the sub receiving demodulation units receives the group integration signal, wherein when any of the wireless communication terminals in the network transmits the group organization signal in response to an instruction input from the operation means, a group organization state is established in which independent simplex group wireless communication is possible with different channels for each of the N groups, and when the group integration signal is transmitted, a group integration state is established in which simplex wireless communication is possible between all of the wireless communication terminals belonging to the network.

[0014] The wireless communication network system of the present invention configures the network into a group formation state (a state in which group wireless communication is possible using a simplex method with different channels for each of N groups) / group integration state (a state in which wireless communication between wireless communication terminals is possible throughout the network) by transmitting a group formation signal / group integration signal from any of the wireless communication devices that make up the network.

[0015] Therefore, each wireless communication terminal has a transmission modulation unit and a main reception demodulation unit set to the channel used in the group to which the terminal belongs, as well as (N-1) sub-reception demodulation units set to the channels used in the other (N-1) groups, and the main reception demodulation unit can receive radio waves from other terminals in the group to which the terminal belongs in standby mode, and each sub-reception demodulation unit is always in a state where it can receive radio waves from wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups.

[0016] The demodulated signal from the main receiving demodulation unit is input directly to the signal synthesis means, while the demodulated signals from each sub-receiving demodulation unit are input to the signal synthesis means via muting means, and the demodulated signal output from the signal synthesis means is output as sound by the sound reproduction means.

[0017] Therefore, in each wireless communication terminal, audio is always output by the audio reproducing means for audio communications within the group to which the terminal belongs, but whether audio is output for audio communications in other groups depends on whether each muting means is controlled to a mute state or a non-mute state. That is, the mute state corresponds to the group formation state, and the non-mute state corresponds to the group integration state.

[0018] The mute / non-mute state of the muting means is controlled by a mute control means, and the command signals to the mute control means are a group formation signal and a group integration signal, and these signals can be transmitted by a command transmission means at any wireless communication terminal belonging to the network by inputting an instruction from its operation means at any timing.

[0019] Therefore, when the initial state of the network is a group-organized state in which group communication is carried out in each group using individual channels, when a group integration signal is transmitted from any one wireless communication terminal, the command signal is received and demodulated by the main receiving and demodulating unit in other wireless communication terminals belonging to the same group as the one wireless communication terminal, and by one of the (N-1) sub-receiving and demodulating units in wireless communication terminals belonging to groups other than that group, and the mute control means that detects the signal switches each muting means from a mute state to a non-mute state. In this case, in the wireless communication terminal that transmitted the group integration signal, the main receiving demodulation unit is in the off state at the time of transmission and the command signal cannot be received, so in the wireless communication terminal, the mute control means switches each muting means from a mute state to a non-mute state upon the transmission event of the group integration signal. As a result, the network switches from the group formation state to the group integration state.

[0020] In the group formation state, wireless communication terminals belonging to each group carry out voice communication with each other using a single-wave simplex communication method using a group channel, but each group is independent and cannot listen to voice communication in other groups. On the other hand, in the group integration state, all wireless communication terminals are able to play back audio for received radio waves on channels used by all groups, and under this condition, audio communication can be performed using a single-wave simplex method with other wireless communication terminals in the group to which the terminal belongs, just as in the group organization state, and audio communication can also be performed using a two-wave simplex method with wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups, resulting in the groups being integrated to form a single network.

[0021] The reverse switching, that is, switching from the group integration state to the group formation state, is also performed by transmitting a group formation signal from any wireless communication terminal at any timing. In both the wireless communication terminal that transmitted the group formation signal and each wireless communication terminal that received the signal, i.e., in all wireless communication terminals in the network, each muting means is switched from a non-muted state to a muted state, and the demodulated signal of each sub-receiving demodulation unit is no longer output to the audio reproduction means, thereby transitioning from the group integration state to the group formation state.

[0022] The wireless communication terminal of the present invention is a wireless communication terminal applied to a network in which there are N groups (N is an integer of 2 or more) of groups that are made up of a plurality of wireless communication terminals and perform wireless communication by simplex method, with different channels in use, and the wireless communication terminal comprises a modulation transmission unit and a main reception demodulation unit set to the channel in use of the group to which the terminal belongs, (N-1) sub reception demodulation units set to each of the channels in use of (N-1) groups other than the group to which the terminal belongs, (N-1) muting means that are controlled to mute or unmute the output signals of each of the sub reception demodulation units, and a signal synthesis unit that synthesizes the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit and the output signal of each of the muting means and outputs the result to an audio reproduction means. command transmission means for, in a transmission mode, generating a group organization signal or a group integration signal in response to an instruction input from an operation means and causing the modulation-transmission unit to transmit the signal; and mute control means for setting each of the muting means to a muted state when the modulation-transmission unit transmits the group organization signal or when either the main reception-demodulation unit or each of the auxiliary reception-demodulation units receives the group organization signal, and for setting each of the muting means to a non-muted state when the modulation-transmission unit transmits the group integration signal or when either the main reception-demodulation unit or each of the auxiliary reception-demodulation units receives the group integration signal. The present invention corresponds to a wireless communication terminal that constitutes a network in the wireless communication network system, and its functions and operations are as described above.

[0023] In addition, in each wireless communication terminal constituting the network, when the command transmitting means receives an instruction input, if the instruction input is related to transmitting a group formation signal when each of the muting means is set to a mute state, or if the instruction input is related to transmitting a group integration signal when each of the muting means is set to a non-mute state, it is desirable that the command transmitting means treats each of the instruction inputs as invalid. This is because the instruction input to the command transmission means is incorrect in relation to the state of each muting means of the own device and the corresponding network state, and if the group formation signal or group integration signal is sent as is, the current state of each muting means will be reset not only in the own device but also in other wireless communication terminals, forcing unnecessary operation.

[0024] Furthermore, it is desirable that each wireless communication terminal constituting the network is provided with a display means or an indicator lamp, and that depending on whether each muting means is set to a mute state or a non-mute state, the display content of the display means or the indicator lamp is turned on / off to indicate whether the network is in a group formation state or a group integration state. This allows the user of each wireless communication terminal to easily check the current network status, and is also effective in eliminating errors in inputting instructions to the command transmitting means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention provides convenience in wireless communication networks in a variety of business fields by enabling each wireless communication terminal in the network to easily switch between a group formation state in which multiple groups can communicate using one-wave simplex with different channels, and a group integration state in which wireless communication terminals within the original group can communicate using one-wave simplex as described above, and can also communicate using two-wave simplex with wireless communication terminals in other groups, at any time. Furthermore, the network state is selected by determining whether or not to play back audio received from wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups through muting control, so unlike methods that rely on channel changes, the system operates extremely smoothly and stably, and no switching sounds are output when playing back audio at the wireless communication terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless communication terminal (belonging to group G1) according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a wireless communication terminal (belonging to group G2) according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a network in which wireless communication terminals belonging to groups G1 and G2 are performing one-wave simplex communication for each group. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a network in which groups G1 and G2 have been merged, and wireless communication terminals belonging to the same group are capable of single-wave simplex communication using the channels used by that group, and wireless communication terminals belonging to different groups are capable of two-wave simplex communication using the channels used by both groups. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to switching of the network state in the wireless communication terminals of group G1. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to switching of the network state in the wireless communication terminals of group G2. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a network in which there are three groups and each wireless communication terminal belonging to each group is performing one-wave simplex communication for each group. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a network in which three groups are merged, and wireless communication terminals belonging to the same group can perform one-wave simplex communication using the channels used by that group, and wireless communication terminals belonging to different groups can perform two-wave simplex communication using the channels used by both groups. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network showing a conventional simplex communication state for each group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, a wireless communication network system and a wireless communication terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, in this embodiment, a network is assumed in which there are two groups G1 and G2 that use different channels chA and chB, each consisting of three wireless communication terminals, and in the group formation state, wireless communication is carried out between the wireless communication terminals belonging to each of the groups G1 and G2 using a single-wave simplex method.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 belonging to group G1, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 belonging to group G2. The hardware configuration of each wireless communication terminal 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, and 43 is the same, and only the channel setting conditions for the modulation transmission unit TX and the reception demodulation units RX1 and RX2 are different.

[0029] In the receiving system, the signal received at antenna 10 is input to main receiving demodulation unit RX1 and sub receiving demodulation unit RX2, and the demodulated signal output from main receiving demodulation unit RX1 is input directly to signal combining unit 12, while the demodulated signal output from sub receiving demodulation unit RX2 is input to signal combining unit 12 via muting unit 11, and the demodulated signal combined in signal combining unit 12 passes through amplifier 13 and is reproduced as audio by speaker (or receiver) 14. In the transmission system, an input signal from a microphone 15 is input to a modulation transmission unit TX via an amplifier 16, where the carrier signal of a specified channel (a channel used by the group) is modulated with the input signal, and the modulated signal is power-amplified and transmitted from an antenna (shared with the receiving system) 10.

[0030] The entire system as a wireless communication terminal including the receiving and transmitting systems is controlled by a system control unit 20, which receives various instruction input signals from an operation unit 21 and signals from each module to control each receiving and demodulating unit RX1, RX2, modulating and transmitting unit TX, and amplifiers 13, 16, and also displays various information related to the communication status on a display unit 22, and notifies the group formation / integration status by turning on / off an indicator lamp 23.

[0031] A feature of this wireless communication terminal is that it is provided with a sub-receiver demodulator RX2 in addition to a main receiver demodulator RX1, and the demodulated signals of these receiver demodulators RX1 and RX2 are combined in a signal combiner 12, but the demodulated signal from the sub-receiver demodulator RX2 is either input to the signal combiner 12 or not, depending on the mute / non-mute control of a muting unit 11.

[0032] The difference between the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 (Figure 1) belonging to group G1 and the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 (Figure 2) belonging to group G2 is that in the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33, the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the channel chA used in the group G1 to which the terminal belongs, and the secondary reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the channel chB used in the group G2, whereas in the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43, the setting channels are the opposite, i.e., the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the channel chB used in the group G2 to which the terminal belongs, and the secondary reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the channel chA used in the group G1.

[0033] Therefore, the wireless communication terminals (31, 32, 33), (41, 42, 43) of groups G1 and G2 receive radio waves related to communications within the group to which they belong using the main receiving and demodulating unit RX1, and can always receive radio waves related to communications in other groups using the secondary receiving and demodulating unit RX2.

[0034] However, from the viewpoint of audio reproduction related to communication, the transmission signal of a wireless communication terminal in the group to which the own terminal belongs is demodulated by the main receiving demodulation unit RX1 and then passed directly through the signal synthesis unit 12, amplifier 13 and speaker 14 to be reproduced as audio, but whether or not the transmission signal of a wireless communication terminal in another group is reproduced as audio depends on the control state of the muting unit 11 interposed between the receiving demodulation unit RX2 and the signal synthesis unit 12. That is, an audio signal transmitted by a wireless communication terminal belonging to another group is not reproduced when the muting unit 11 is in the mute state, but is reproduced when the muting unit 11 is in the non-mute state.

[0035] Furthermore, since each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, and 43 belonging to groups G1 and G2 has a main receiving and demodulating unit RX1 and a secondary receiving and demodulating unit RX2, it is possible for any wireless communication terminal to send a command signal related to the control of the muting unit 11 from the modulation transmitting unit TX to another wireless communication terminal at any timing. This means that for voice communications, each wireless communication terminal 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43 can control the muting unit 11 of the other terminals, and if the terminal that sends the command signal controls its own muting unit 11 in response to the transmission event, the network can be freely switched between a group formation state and a group integration state.

[0036] The network schematic diagram of Figure 3 shows a group organization state in which wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33 and wireless communication terminals 41, 42, 43 are divided into group G1 and group G2, respectively, and perform single-wave simplex communication within the group. In group G1, wireless communication terminal 31 acts as the transmitting terminal and transmits an audio signal radio wave on channel chA used by the group, and the other wireless communication terminals 32 and 33 act as receiving terminals and reproduce the audio signal. Similarly, in group G2, wireless communication terminal 41 acts as the transmitting terminal and transmits an audio signal radio wave on channel chB used by the group, and the other wireless communication terminals 42 and 43 act as receiving terminals and reproduce the audio signal.

[0037] At this time, the radio waves transmitted on channel chA by wireless communication terminal 31 in group G1 are also received by the secondary receiving and demodulating unit RX2 of wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 in group G2, but because the muting unit 11 is controlled to a mute state, the audio signal of the radio waves transmitted by wireless communication terminal 31 is not reproduced by the speakers 14 of wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 in group G2, and only the audio signal of channel chB of the other wireless communication terminal that has become the transmitting terminal in group G2 is reproduced and output from the speakers 14 of wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43.

[0038] In addition, in the reverse relationship, the radio waves transmitted on channel chB by wireless communication terminal 41 in group G2 are also received by the secondary receiving and demodulating unit RX2 of wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 in group G1, but because the muting unit 11 is controlled to a mute state, the audio signal of the radio waves transmitted by wireless communication terminal 41 is not reproduced by the speakers 14 of wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 in group G1, and only the audio signal of channel chA of other wireless communication terminals that have become transmitting terminals within group G1 is reproduced and output by the speakers 14 of wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33.

[0039] On the other hand, the network schematic diagram of Figure 4 shows a group integration state in which groups G1 and G2 have been integrated into one group, and the wireless communication terminals that belonged to each group G1 and G2, i.e., wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 and wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43, communicate with each other using the single-wave simplex method, as before the integration, while the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 and wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 that have moved beyond groups G1 and G2 communicate with each other using the two-wave simplex method. Although the figure shows wireless communication terminals 31 and 41 as transmitting terminals, regardless of which wireless communication terminal in the integrated network is the transmitting terminal, the audio signal can be reproduced by all other wireless communication terminals.

[0040] 3 and 4, it is clear that the group integration state can be realized simply by controlling the muting units 11 in all the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, and 43 to the non-muted state. Conversely, it is also obvious that if the muting units 11 in all the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, and 43 are controlled to be in a muted state, the original group formation state can be restored.

[0041] As described above, the network can be switched between the group formation state and the group integration state from any of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, but the operation procedure of the wireless communication terminal relating to the switching differs depending on whether it belongs to group G1 or G2.

[0042] The operation procedure for switching the network state in the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 belonging to group G1 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the system control unit 20 in FIG. 1 confirms (1) whether a group integration instruction has been performed on the operation unit 21 and the instruction signal has been detected (S1), (2) whether the main reception demodulation unit RX1 or the auxiliary reception demodulation unit RX2 has received a group integration signal (S2), (3) whether a group formation instruction has been performed on the operation unit 21 and the instruction signal has been detected (S3), and (4) whether the main reception demodulation unit RX1 or the auxiliary reception demodulation unit RX2 has received a group formation signal (S4).

[0043] When an operation input for group integration instruction is detected (S1), the state of the muting unit 11 is checked, and if it is in the non-muted state, the input is regarded as an error and is invalidated (S1 → S5: N → S1), but if it is in the muted state, a group integration signal prepared in advance in the built-in memory is read out to the modulation transmission unit TX and transmitted on channel chA (S5: Y → S6), and the muting unit 11 is immediately switched to the non-muted state, and the indicator lamp is turned on to notify that the group integration state has been entered (S7, S8).

[0044] Also, even if it is confirmed that the group integration signal has been received by the main receiving demodulation unit RX1 or the sub receiving demodulation unit RX2 (S2), the muting unit 11 is immediately switched to the non-muted state and the indicator lamp 23 is turned on to notify that the group integration state has been entered (S2: Y → S7, S8). Here, the reception of the group integration signal by the main receiving demodulation unit RX1 (chA) relates to the signal transmitted from another wireless communication terminal in group G1, and the reception of the group integration signal by the receiving demodulation unit RX2 (chB) relates to the signal transmitted from one of the wireless communication terminals in group G2.

[0045] As a result of the muting unit 11 being switched to the non-muted state, voice communication with other wireless communication terminals in group G1 is possible using the single-wave simplex method, and voice communication with each wireless communication terminal in group G2 is possible using the two-wave simplex method, and the network is in a group integration state (S9).

[0046] On the other hand, when an operational input for a group formation instruction is detected (S3), the state of the muting unit 11 is checked, and if it is in the mute state, the input is regarded as an error and is invalidated (S3 → S10: N → S1), but if it is in the non-mute state, a group formation signal prepared in advance in the built-in memory is read out to the modulation transmission unit TX and transmitted on channel chA (S10: Y → S11), and the muting unit 11 is immediately switched to the mute state, and the indicator lamp 23 is turned off to notify that the group formation state has been entered (S12, S13).

[0047] Also, when the main receiving / demodulating unit RX1 or the sub receiving / demodulating unit RX2 receives a group formation signal (S4), the muting unit 11 is immediately switched to the mute state, and the indicator lamp is turned off to notify that the group formation state has been entered (S4: Y → S12, S13). As in the case of the group integration signal, the group organization signal received by the primary receiving and demodulating unit RX1 (chA) is transmitted from another wireless communication terminal in group G1, and the group integration signal received by the secondary receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (chB) is transmitted from one of the wireless communication terminals in group G2.

[0048] Since the muting unit 11 has switched to the mute state, voice communication with other terminals in group G1 is possible using the single-wave simplex method, but voice signals from each terminal in group G2 are no longer reproduced, and the network is in a group formation state (S14).

[0049] The operational procedure for switching the network state in the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 belonging to group G2 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 of group G2, the set channel for the modulation transmitter TX and the main receiver demodulator RX1 is chB, and the set channel for the main receiver demodulator RX3 is chA, and the channels are reversed from those of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 of group G1; however, the basic operating procedure is the same, and steps S26, S29, S31, and S34, which correspond to steps S6, S9, S11, and S14 in the flowchart of Figure 5, differ only in the group name and channel description.

[0050] As a result, by transmitting a group formation signal / group integration signal from any of the wireless communication terminals (31, 32, 33) and (41, 42, 43) of groups G1 and G2, the network can be switched between a group formation state (Figure 3) and a group integration state (Figure 4). Each wireless communication terminal 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43 can check the current network status by checking whether the indicator lamp 23 is on or off, and since the voice communication status is switched only by the mute / non-mute control of the muting unit 11 without changing the channel used, no unnecessary sounds are output as when switching is performed using a switch circuit or the like, and natural switching can be performed without interfering with the listening to the call sound.

[0051] In the above embodiment, we have looked at the case of two groups G1 and G2, but if there are three or more groups, the number of secondary receiving and demodulating units in each wireless communication terminal will be increased according to the number of groups, and in the case of three groups, two secondary receiving and demodulating units TX2 and TX3 will be provided, and generally, in the case of N groups, (N-1) secondary receiving and demodulating units (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) will be provided. Each sub-receiving demodulation unit is set to the channel used by each group other than the group to which the unit itself belongs, and each output demodulation signal is combined with the output demodulation signal of the main receiving demodulation unit in the signal combining unit via muting means, and the combined demodulation signal is reproduced as audio through a speaker (or earphone). The mute / unmute control of each muting means in each wireless communication terminal is the same as in the above embodiment, and conforms to the operation procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0052] The network schematic diagrams of Figures 7 and 8 correspond to Figures 3 and 4 in the above embodiment, and show a group formation state (Figure 7) in which three groups G1, G2, and G3 are formed, and the wireless communication terminals (51, 52, 53), (61, 62, 63), and (71, 72, 73) belonging to each group communicate by voice using a single-wave simplex method on different channels chA, chB, and chC, and a group integration state (Figure 8) in which these groups G1, G2, and G3 are integrated, and wireless communication terminals belonging to the same group can communicate by voice using a single-wave simplex method, and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups can communicate by voice using a two-wave simplex method. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be applied to a network system that switches between a group formation state and a group integration state in a network of business-use wireless communication terminals, and to a wireless communication terminal that realizes this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] TX...modulation transmitter, RX1...main receiver demodulator, RX2...sub receiver demodulator, RX3...sub receiver demodulator, 10...antenna, 11...muting unit, 12...signal combiner, 13...amplifier, 14...speaker (or earphone), 15...microphone, 16...amplifier, 20...system control unit, 21...operation unit, 22...display unit, 23...indicator lamp, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43...wireless communication terminal (when there are two groups), 51, 52, 53, 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73...wireless communication terminal (when there are three groups), 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203...wireless communication terminal (prior art: when there are two groups).

Claims

1. In a network in which there are N groups (where N is an integer of 2 or more) of multiple wireless communication terminals that perform simplex wireless communication and use different channels, Each wireless communication terminal constituting each group comprises a modulation transmission unit and a main reception demodulation unit set to the channel used by the group to which the terminal belongs, (N-1) auxiliary reception demodulation units set to the channels used by each of (N-1) groups other than the group to which the terminal belongs, (N-1) muting means for controlling each output signal of each auxiliary reception demodulation unit to a mute state or a non-mute state, signal synthesis means for synthesizing the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit and the output signal of each muting unit and outputting the synthesized signal to an audio reproduction means, and a group signal synthesis unit for synthesizing the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit and the output signal of each muting unit in a transmission mode by an instruction input from an operation means. a command transmitting means for generating an organization signal or a group integrated signal and causing said modulating / transmitting means to transmit said signal; and a mute control means for setting each of said muting means to a muted state when said modulating / transmitting means transmits said group organization signal or when said main receiving / demodulating means or any of said sub-receiving / demodulating means receives said group organization signal, and for setting each of said muting means to a non-muted state when said modulating / transmitting means transmits said group integrated signal or when said main receiving / demodulating means or any of said sub-receiving / demodulating means receives said group integrated signal, When any of the wireless communication terminals in the network transmits the group formation signal in response to an instruction input from the operation means, a group formation state is formed in which group wireless communication by a simplex system is possible with different channels for each of the N groups, and when the group integration signal is transmitted, a group integration state is formed in which simplex system wireless communication is possible between all of the wireless communication terminals belonging to the network. A wireless communication network system comprising:

2. 2. The wireless communication network system according to claim 1, wherein in each wireless communication terminal constituting the network, when the command transmitting means receives an instruction input, if the instruction input is related to transmitting a group formation signal when each muting means is set to a mute state, or if the instruction input is related to transmitting a group integration signal when each muting means is set to a non-mute state, the command transmitting means treats each instruction input as invalid.

3. 3. A wireless communication network system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein each wireless communication terminal constituting the network is provided with a display means or an indicator lamp, and depending on whether each muting means is set to a mute state or a non-mute state, the display means displays information or the indicator lamp turns on or off to indicate whether the network is in the group formation state or the group integration state.

4. A wireless communication terminal applied to a network in which there are N groups (where N is an integer of 2 or more) of wireless communication terminals that are configured with a plurality of wireless communication terminals and perform wireless communication by simplex, and the groups use different channels, a modulation / transmission unit and a main reception / demodulation unit set to a channel used by the group to which the own device belongs; (N-1) auxiliary receiving and demodulating units set for each of the channels used in (N-1) groups other than the group to which the own device belongs; (N-1) muting means that are controlled to mute or not mute the output signals of the sub-receiving demodulation units; a signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the output signal of said main receiving and demodulating section and the output signal of each of said muting means and outputting the synthesized signal to an audio reproducing means; a command transmitting means for generating a group organization signal or a group integration signal in response to an instruction input from an operating means in a transmission mode and causing the modulation transmitting unit to transmit the signal; mute control means for setting each of the muting means to a muted state when the modulation / transmission section transmits the group organization signal or when either the main reception / demodulation section or each of the auxiliary reception / demodulation sections receives the group organization signal, and for setting each of the muting means to a non-muted state when the modulation / transmission section transmits the group integrated signal or when either the main reception / demodulation section or each of the auxiliary reception / demodulation sections receives the group integrated signal; A wireless communication terminal comprising:

5. 5. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein when the command transmitting means receives an instruction input, if the instruction input is an instruction input relating to the transmission of a group formation signal when each of the muting means is set to a mute state, or an instruction input relating to the transmission of a group integration signal when each of the muting means is set to a non-mute state, the command transmitting means treats the instruction input as invalid.

6. 6. A wireless communication terminal according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a display means or an indicator lamp, and notifying whether the network is in the group formation state or the group integration state by the display content of the display means or the turning on / off of the indicator lamp depending on whether each of the muting means is set to the mute state or the non-mute state.

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