Wireless communication network systems and wireless communication terminals

Abstract

This system provides a simplex wireless communication network (NW) that allows each wireless communication terminal to instantly switch between group formation, partial integration, and full integration states. [Solution] In a network where N groups perform wireless communication using different channels, each group's terminal is equipped with a modulation transmitter that can be switched between group channel chX and common channel chZ, a main receiver / demodulator (set to chX), a sub-receive modulation unit (set to chZ), a muting unit for the output of each receiver / demodulator, and a signal combining unit that combines the outputs of each muting unit, and plays the combined signal as audio. One terminal transmits a command signal related to group formation / partial integration / full integration (with the ID of the target group added in the case of partial integration) on chZ, while the other terminals receive it with their sub-receive modulation units and switch the group state of the network by controlling the channel of the modulation transmitter and the on / off status of each muting unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network system and a wireless communication device thereof that can be configured by switching between a group formation state in which N groups (N≧3) or more of groups that perform simplex communication between a plurality of wireless communication terminals exist in a simplex wireless communication network composed of business wireless communication devices conforming to a specific low-power standard or the like, a group partial integration state in which some of the plurality of groups in all groups are integrated and perform simplex communication together with non-integrated groups, and a group full integration state in which simplex communication is performed between the wireless communication terminals of all groups.

Background Art

[0002] A wireless communication device conforming to a specific low-power standard (see Non-Patent Document 1 below) performs voice communication at a relatively short distance using the 400 MHz band and is also a license-free station. Therefore, outdoors, it is widely used for business communication between workers at various work sites such as construction sites, and indoors, it is widely used for business communication between workers at relatively large restaurants, home centers with large spaces, etc.

[0003] Also, a wireless communication device conforming to the digital simple wireless standard (see Non-Patent Document 2 below) is a wireless station that can be opened with a relatively simple application. While the specific low-power standard has a radio wave output of up to 10 mW, a radio wave output of up to 5 W is permitted, and the communication range is significantly increased. Therefore, it is used for communication between large event venues and between floors of high-rise buildings.

[0004] Generally, in wireless communication for business communication, a simplex communication method is often adopted, and communication within a business group is carried out while repeatedly transmitting and receiving using a single channel. However, for example, at a construction site, it may be better to separate the communication between the site supervisor and the responsible person and the communication between the workers. Also, in security at an exhibition hall or the like, it is often more effective to divide the area and have dense communication in each divided area than to have communication throughout the entire area using a single channel.

[0005] Therefore, the fundamental issue is how to determine the scope of group communication. Naturally, it is desirable to be able to switch between operating with multiple small communication groups (group formation state) and operating with a large communication group formed by integrating those groups (fully integrated group state) as needed. In particular, such network operation is required to prepare for situations where information sharing via an urgently integrated communication network is necessary, such as in the event of an accident or disaster.

[0006] On the other hand, in the aforementioned simplex communication network for business communication, as shown in Figure 13, if wireless communication terminals (101, 102, 103), (201, 202, 203), and (301, 302, 303) belonging to groups G1, G2, and G3 are communicating via simplex on channels A, B, and C respectively, then communication between the groups is impossible unless one group adjusts its channel to match the channel of another group, making communication between the two groups impossible. Furthermore, changing channels requires a complex communication sequence, which is time-consuming. In addition, even if, for example, one terminal 101 in group G1 changes its transmit / receive channel to channel B and enables simplex communication with each terminal (201, 202, 203) in group G2, the other terminals (102, 103) in group G1 remain unchanged and have no way of knowing what has happened.

[0007] In response to this, the applicant of the present application, in a previous patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-065037), proposed a network system and wireless communication terminals that can switch between a group configuration state in which there are multiple groups that communicate via simplex between multiple wireless communication terminals, and a fully integrated group state (referred to as the "group integrated state" in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-065037) in which all of these groups are integrated, enabling simplex communication even between wireless communication terminals of different groups.

[0008] In this proposal, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the wireless communication terminals (31, 32, 33), (41, 42, 43), (51, 52, 53) applied to the wireless communication network are configured to have a modulation transmitter TX that is selectively set to the group channel (chA / chB / chC) or common channel chZ of the group (G1, G2, G3) to which the device belongs, and a main receiver demodulator RX1 that is set to the group channel (chA / chB / chC) of the group (G1, G2, G3) to which the device belongs. , a sub-receiving demodulation unit RX2 set to the common channel chZ, a first muting unit 11 controlled to be muted or unmuted with respect to the output signal of the main receiving demodulation unit RX1, a second muting unit 12 controlled to be muted or unmuted with respect to the output signal of the sub-receiving demodulation unit RX2, a signal combining unit 13 that combines the output signals of the first and second muting units 11 and 12 and outputs them to the audio playback means 15, and in transmission mode, a selection signal from the operating means The system includes a command transmission means (software) that generates a group formation signal or a group-wide integrated signal based on an input, sets the modulation transmission unit TX to the common channel chZ, and transmits the generated signal; and a system control means (software) that, when the command transmission means transmits a group formation signal or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit RX2 receives a group formation signal, sets the modulation transmission unit TX to the group channel (chA / chB / chC) of the group (G1, G2, G3) to which the unit belongs, sets the first muting unit 11 to the unmuted state and the second muting unit 12 to the muted state, and sets the first muting unit 11 to the muted state and the second muting unit 12 to the muted state, thereby setting the first muting unit 11 to the muted state and the second muting unit 12 to the unmuted state, thereby setting the first muting unit 11 to the muted state and the second muting unit 12 to the unmuted state, thereby setting the first muting unit 11 to the muted state and the second muting unit 12 to the unmuted state, thereby setting the first muting unit 11 to the muted state and the second muting unit 12 to the unmuted state, thereby setting the first muting unit TX to the common channel chZ, In the aforementioned wireless communication network, if a group formation signal is transmitted based on an instruction input from the operating means of any wireless communication terminal (31 / 32 / 33 / 41 / 42 / 43 / 51 / 52 / 53), all wireless communication terminals in the network (31~33, 41~43, 51~53) enter a first control state, forming a group formation state (Figure 14). If a group integration signal is transmitted, all wireless communication terminals in the network (31~33, 41~43, 51~53) enter a second control state, forming a group integration state (Figure 15). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, "Standards for Low-Power Radio Stations / Radio Telephone Equipment," RCR STD-20 Version 5.1, revised October 29, 2021. [Non-Patent Document 2] The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, "Radio Equipment for Digital Simple Radio Stations," ARIB STD-T98 2.0, revised October 4, 2023. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] By the way, the invention described in the aforementioned application is a system for switching a wireless communication network between two states: a group-organized state and a fully integrated group state. However, depending on the business to which the group communication network is applied, switching between these two states alone may not be sufficient.

[0011] For example, in hotel operations, there are various job categories such as front desk, restaurant, cleaning, and parking. According to the invention described in the aforementioned application, each of these departments becomes a unit for group communication, forming a group structure, and communication between departments is conducted through a common channel chZ, forming a fully integrated group state. However, when the entire group is integrated and the front desk and restaurant are in close coordination, if there is an inquiry from the parking lot to the front desk, or if cleaning staff hold a meeting to coordinate their work procedures, the simplex communication method prevents continuous communication between the front desk and restaurant for their meetings, which is inconvenient and problematic.

[0012] This invention was created in view of the aforementioned inconveniences and disadvantages, and aims to realize a wireless communication network system with greater convenience by allowing the group integration mode in a wireless communication network to be selected not only as a fully integrated state but also as a partially integrated state, so that the partially integrated state can be freely configured as appropriate according to the situation, such as the priority of inter-departmental communication, as in the above example, and to provide a wireless communication terminal for that purpose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The wireless communication network system of the present invention is a network capable of taking the following states: a group formation state in which there are N groups (however, N≧3) in which a plurality of wireless communication terminals communicate in a simplex manner using a single channel, each using a different single channel (hereinafter referred to as the "group channel"); a fully integrated group state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to the group communicate in a simplex manner using a common channel; and a partially integrated group state in which some of the group wireless communication terminals belonging to a plurality of groups use the common channel, and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups communicate in a simplex manner using their respective group channels, wherein the wireless communication terminal comprises: a modulation transmission unit that is selectively set to the group channel of the group to which it belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "own group channel") or the common channel; a main receiver / demodulator set to the own group channel; a sub-receive / demodulator set to the common channel; a first muting means that controls the output signal of the main receiver / demodulator to be muted or unmuted; and a first muting means that controls the output signal of the sub-receive / demodulator to be muted. Alternatively, a second muting means controlled to be in an unmuted state, a signal combining means that combines the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputs them to an audio playback means, a command transmitting means that, in transmission mode, generates a group formation signal, a group full integration signal, and a group partial integration signal with selected group information including the group to which the unit belongs, respectively, based on instruction inputs from an operating means regarding group formation, instruction inputs regarding full group integration, or instruction inputs regarding partial group integration involving the selection of some groups, and sets the modulation transmitting unit to the common channel and transmits the generated signals, and when the command transmitting means transmits the group formation signal or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group formation signal from another unit, the modulation transmitting unit is set to the unit's own group channel, the first muting means is set to an unmuted state, and the second muting means is set to a muted state, setting the first control state, when the command transmitting means transmits the group full integration signal or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group full integration signal, the modulation transmitting unit is set to the common channel,The system includes a system control means that sets the first muting means to a muted state and the second muting means to an unmuted state to a second control state, and sets the system to the second control state when the command transmission means causes the group partial integration signal to be transmitted or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal from another unit to which selected group information including the unit itself has been added, and sets the system to the first control state when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal from another unit to which selected group information not including the unit itself has been added, and is characterized in that 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, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the first control state and constitute the group formation state, when the full group integration signal is transmitted, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the second control state and constitute the full group integration state, and when the group partial integration signal is transmitted, the wireless communication terminals of the group included in the selected group information enter the second control state, and the wireless communication terminals of the group not included in the selected group information enter the first control state and constitute the group partial integration state.

[0014] The wireless communication network system of the present invention allows the network configuration to be switched instantly between a group configuration, a fully integrated group configuration, and a partially integrated group configuration simply by operating any wireless communication terminal belonging to the network. Each wireless communication terminal in the network has a transmission / reception function that allows the modulation transmission unit to be switched between a group channel and a common channel, with the main reception / demodulation unit set to the group channel and the sub-reception / demodulation unit set to the common channel. Furthermore, unless the unit is in transmission mode, the main receiver / demodulator and the sub-receive / demodulator are kept in the ON state at all times. However, first and second muting means are provided for their output signals, and the outputs of each muting means are combined by a signal combining means and input to an audio playback means, so that the audio signal is reproduced. Furthermore, as will be described later, each muting means is controlled in such a way that the muted and unmuted states are inversely related to each other, and the signal combining means may be configured as a simple electrical connection.

[0015] Signals transmitted from each wireless communication terminal on a common channel are always received and demodulated by the sub-receiving and demodulating unit at wireless communication terminals other than the transmitting terminal, regardless of the control status of each muting means. Furthermore, by controlling the states of the two muting methods so that they have an inverse relationship between muted and unmuted, it is possible to switch between playing audio from the group channel and the common channel.

[0016] Based on the above premise, when a command transmission means causes a command transmission means to transmit a group formation signal, a fully integrated group signal, or a partially integrated group signal from a modulation transmission unit on a common channel in any one wireless communication terminal within the network based on a selective instruction input from an operating means, all other wireless communication terminals can receive and demodulate these signals with their sub-receiving and demodulating units, and the system control means controls the modulation transmission unit and the first and second muting means as follows (1) to (4) depending on the type of signal.

[0017] (1) When a group formation signal is transmitted or received, the modulation transmission unit is set to the group channel of the group to which it belongs, and the first muting means is set to the unmuted state and the second muting means is set to the muted state, resulting in a first control state. (2) When a group integration signal is transmitted or received, the modulation transmission unit is set to a common channel, the first muting means is set to the muted state, and the second muting means is set to the unmuted state, resulting in a second control state. (3) When a group partial integration signal (with selected group information including the own unit) is transmitted or received, the control state is set to the second state as in (2). (4) If a group partial integration signal is received (with selected group information that does not include the current unit added), the control state will be set to the first state as in (1).

[0018] Therefore, looking at the network as a whole, (1) constitutes a group formation state, (2) constitutes a fully integrated group state, and (3) and (4) constitute a partially integrated group state. In other words, it is possible to switch between group formation, fully integrated group, and partially integrated group states from any wireless communication terminal within the network, and in the partially integrated group state, the integration conditions can be changed using the selected group information.

[0019] The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal applicable to a network in which multiple wireless communication terminals can take the following states: a group formation state in which there are N groups (however, N≧3) in which multiple wireless communication terminals communicate in a simplex manner using one channel, each using a different channel (hereinafter referred to as the "group channel"); a fully integrated group state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to the aforementioned groups communicate in a simplex manner using a common channel; and a partially integrated group state in which some of the aforementioned groups use a common channel, and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups communicate in a simplex manner using their respective group channels. The wireless communication terminal comprises: a modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel of the group to which the device belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "own group channel") or the common channel; a main receiver / demodulator set to the own group channel; a sub-receive / demodulator set to the common channel; a first muting means that controls the output signal of the main receiver / demodulator to be muted or unmuted; and a second muting means that controls the output signal of the sub-receive / demodulator to be muted or unmuted. A second muting means controlled to a state, a signal combining means that combines the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputs them to an audio playback means, a command transmitting means that, in transmission mode, generates a group formation signal, a group full integration signal, and a group partial integration signal with selected group information added, respectively, based on instruction inputs from an operating means regarding group formation, instruction inputs regarding full group integration, or instruction inputs regarding partial group integration accompanied by the selection of some groups, and sets the modulation transmitting unit to the common channel and transmits the generated signals, and when the command transmitting means transmits the group formation signal or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group formation signal from another unit, the modulation transmitting unit is set to its own group channel, and the first muting means is set to an unmuted state and the second muting means to a muted state, and when the command transmitting means transmits the group full integration signal or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group full integration signal, the modulation transmitting unit is set to the common channel and the first muting means is set to a muted state,Set it as a second control state in which the second muting means is set to a non-muted state. When the command transmission means transmits the group partial integration signal or when the sub-reception demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal to which selection group information including the own device from another device is added, it is set as the second control state. When the sub-reception demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal to which selection group information not including the own device from another device is added, it is set as the first control state, and it is characterized by comprising system control means.

[0020] In the wireless communication terminal according to the present invention, when the command transmission means generates and transmits the group partial integration signal with the selection group information added, the selection group information specifying the group to be selected in advance is registered in the storage means, and by only a single operation from the operation means, it is desirable to read out the selection group information from the storage means and add it to the group partial integration signal for transmission.

[0021] When switching the network from the group formation state or the group full integration state to the group partial integration state, in the business network, the groups to be partially integrated are often fixed, and it is troublesome to input the selection group information one by one at the time of switching, and the simplicity of operation can be realized.

[0022] In addition, in the wireless communication terminal according to the present invention, a display means is provided. When the system control means sets the first control state based on the transmission or reception of the group formation signal, the network is caused to display that it is in the group formation state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group full integration signal, the network is caused to display that it is in the group full integration state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group partial integration signal or the reception of the group partial integration signal with the selection group information including the own device added thereto, and when the first control state is set based on the reception of the group partial integration signal with the selection group information not including the own device added thereto, it is desirable to display that it is in the group partial integration state and also display the selection group information together.

[0023] In each individual wireless communication terminal within the network, it is possible to constantly check which of the group formation state, the group full integration state, or the group partial integration state the current network state is, and also, when in the group partial integration state, to check which group is currently the target of partial integration. As a method of displaying those states, a method by lighting / extinguishing an indicator lamp, a liquid crystal display method, or a method using a combination thereof can be considered. However, for displaying the configuration of the integrated group in the group partial integration state, a liquid crystal display method using characters or symbols is convenient.

Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, in addition to a network state in which multiple sets of group communications using simplex exist (group formation state) and a network state in which groups are integrated and communication between wireless communication terminals within the network using simplex is possible (fully integrated group state), it is possible to easily configure from each wireless communication terminal within the network a state in which some wireless communication terminals belonging to multiple groups use a common channel and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups use the respective group channels to communicate using simplex (partially integrated group state), thereby providing a wireless communication network system and wireless communication terminals that are adapted to the need for the rapid construction of diverse wireless communication networks depending on the business field. Each wireless communication terminal constituting the network differs from the usual configuration in hardware terms in that, in addition to a pair of modulation transmitters and a main receiver / demodulator, it also has a sub-receiver / demodulator, and is equipped with muting means and a signal combining unit for the output signals of each receiver / demodulator. However, the same specifications can be applied, and in terms of software, the control sequence can be standardized except for differences in group channels, which has the advantage of making it relatively easy to build as a network system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication terminal (common to groups G1, G2, G3, and G4) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an example of a communication frame format diagram used in wireless communication networks. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between network state switching and the signals used for that switching, as well as the configuration status of wireless communication terminals in each network state. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the operating procedure when a wireless communication terminal actively switches the network state as a command signal transmitting terminal. [Figure 5A]This flowchart shows the operational procedures related to network state switching, where a wireless communication terminal passively maintains or switches its settings as a command signal receiving terminal. [Figure 5B] This flowchart shows the operational procedures related to network state switching, where a wireless communication terminal passively maintains or switches its settings as a command signal receiving terminal. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the network in a group configuration. [Figure 7] This is a schematic network diagram illustrating the state when a group partial integration signal (GPIS) / group full integration signal (GIS) is transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 31 (group G1) in a group formation state. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the network in a partially integrated group state (groups G1 and G2 are integrated). [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the network in a partially integrated group state (groups G1, G2, and G4 are integrated). [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the network when a group partial integration signal (GPIS), group organization signal (GFS), and group full integration signal (GIS) are transmitted from wireless communication terminal 41 (group G2) in a group partial integration state (groups G1, G2, and G4 are integrated). [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the network in a fully integrated group state. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the network when a partially integrated signal (GPIS) / group organization signal (GFS) is transmitted from wireless communication terminal 33 (group G1) in a fully integrated group state. [Figure 13] This is a schematic network diagram showing the simplex communication status for each group in the conventional network. [Figure 14] This is a schematic network diagram showing the group organization status in a wireless communication network system as described in a prior application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-065037). [Figure 15]This is a schematic network diagram showing the fully integrated state of the group in the wireless communication network system described in the prior application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-065037). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The wireless communication network system and wireless communication terminal of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, as an example of a network configuration, we assume a setup where, as shown in Figure 6, there are four groups of three wireless communication terminals communicating in a simplex manner using a single channel, each using a different channel. Furthermore, this embodiment relates to a wireless communication network system and wireless communication terminals that can switch between the assumed network state shown in Figure 6, which is a group formation state (hereinafter referred to as "Grp formation state") in which wireless communication terminals belonging to each group use a group channel (hereinafter referred to as "Grp channel") to communicate in simplex mode, a fully integrated group state (hereinafter referred to as "Grp fully integrated state") in which four groups are integrated and all wireless communication terminals in the network use a common channel to communicate in simplex mode, and a partially integrated group state (hereinafter referred to as "Grp partially integrated state") in which wireless communication terminals belonging to some groups (two or three groups) use a common channel and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups (two or one group) use their respective Grp channels to communicate in simplex mode.

[0027] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the hardware configuration of each wireless communication terminal in the network, where 10 is the antenna, RX1 is the main receiver / demodulator, RX2 is the sub-receive / demodulator, 11 and 12 are the muting units, 13 is the signal combining unit, 14 is the amplifier, 15 is the speaker (or earphone), 16 is the microphone, 17 is the amplifier, TX is the modulation / transmission unit, 20 is the system control unit, 21 is the operation unit, 22 is the liquid crystal display unit, and 23 is the indicator lamp.

[0028] In the diagram, regarding the receiving system, the signal received by antenna 10 is input to the main receiving demodulation unit RX1 and the sub-receiving demodulation unit RX2. The demodulated output signals from each receiving demodulation unit RX1 and RX2 are input to the signal combining unit 13 via the muting units 11 and 12. The output signal from the signal combining unit 13 is amplified by the amplifier 14 and reproduced as sound by the speaker (or earphones) 15. Furthermore, in the transmission system, the input signal from the microphone 16 is input to the modulation transmission unit TX via the amplifier 17. The modulation transmission unit TX modulates the carrier signal of the set channel with the input signal, and the modulated signal is power amplified and transmitted from the antenna (shared with the receiving system) 10.

[0029] The entire system of the wireless communication terminal equipped with the aforementioned transmitting and receiving system is controlled by the system control unit 20. The system control unit 20 receives various instruction input signals from the operation unit 21 and signals from each module, and controls the modulation transmission unit TX, each receiving and demodulating unit RX1, RX2, each muting unit 11, 12, each amplifier 14, 17, etc. It also displays various information related to the communication status on the liquid crystal display unit 22, and notifies the status of group formation / partial integration / full integration by turning on / off two or three indicator lamps 23.

[0030] In this embodiment, the wireless communication terminal performs communication using a communication frame configured as shown in Figure 2 as an example. The transmitting terminal transmits a modulated wave modulated with MSK (Minimum Shift Keying) or the like using the baseband signal of the audio signal section incorporated into the frame format, while the receiving terminal demodulates the received signal related to the modulated wave to reproduce the audio signal. However, each information signal of the data payload received prior to the audio signal is separated and detected and used as operation control information by the system control unit 20.

[0031] In this embodiment, the data payload of the communication frame includes general information such as the device's identification information (ID), the identification information of the group to which it belongs (hereinafter referred to as "G-ID"), and the transmission / reception channel information, as well as a group organization signal (hereinafter referred to as "GFS"), a group partial integration signal (hereinafter referred to as "GPIS"), or a group full integration signal (hereinafter referred to as "GIS") as code information. Furthermore, the GPS includes selection group information consisting of G-IDs of the groups to be integrated. This G-ID group is either input from the operation unit 21 before GPS transmission and stored in the internal memory, or it is pre-registered in the internal memory and read out and added when GPS transmission is performed.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the three states the network can take in this embodiment (Group formation state / Partially integrated Group state / Fully integrated Group state) and the command signals (GFS / GPIS / GIS) for switching between each state, along with the settings of the wireless communication terminals in each state. Therefore, using Figure 3 as the basic diagram, the following will explain the operation procedure when a wireless communication terminal actively switches the network state by transmitting a command signal (Figure 4), the operation procedure when a wireless communication terminal receives a command signal and the setting state is passively switched to correspond to the network state (Figures 5A and 5B), and the network state and the settings of each wireless communication terminal (Figures 6 to 12).

[0033] Figures 4, 5A, and 5B define the operation of a single wireless communication terminal, and apply to all communication terminals in the network, so that the network state is switched by sending instruction signals. However, on the network, the wireless communication terminal whose operation is defined in Figure 4 and the wireless communication terminals whose operation is defined in Figures 5A and 5B are separate wireless communication terminals in a transmitting and receiving relationship. Therefore, from here on, the former will be distinguished as wireless communication terminal [s] and the latter as wireless communication terminal [r], and both will be expressed as wireless communication terminal [s] / [r].

[0034] 1. Switching from a group formation state to a partially integrated group state [Figure 3-(a)] First, the network is initially in the Grp configuration state (Figure 6), with four groups designated as G1, G2, G3, and G4, and the group channels used by each of these groups designated as chA, chB, chC, and chD, respectively. However, in the following, codes 31-33, 41-43, 51-53, and 61-63 will not be used except when referring to a specific wireless communication terminal, and except when referring to a specific group and Grp channel, they will be represented as group Gi and Grp channel chX, respectively. Here, i is one of 1, 2, 3, or 4, and X is one of A, B, C, or D.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, in the Grp configuration, each wireless communication terminal [s] / [r] belonging to each group Gi has its modulation transmitter TX set to Grp channel chX, the main receiver / demodulator RX1 is fixed to Grp channel chX, and the sub-receive / demodulator RX2 is fixed to the common channel chZ. This common channel chZ is a channel that is commonly used by the merged group when some or all of the groups Gi are merged.

[0036] In a network with a group (GRP) configuration, any wireless communication terminal [s] can switch to a partially integrated GRP state based on the partially integrated conditions specified by the selected GRP by transmitting a GIPS with selected GRP information attached. The operation of the wireless communication terminal [s] related to the network state switching in Figure 3-(a) corresponds to steps S1-S3:Y → S4-S9 in Figure 4. The wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in the network indicate that they are in a Grp formation state on the liquid crystal display unit 22 and / or indicator lamp 23 (hereinafter referred to as "liquid crystal display unit etc. 22, 23") and perform simplex group communication on the Grp channel chX of the group Gi to which they belong (S1, S2). Therefore, in the wireless communication terminal [s], the operation unit 21 sets the Grp partial integration mode, selects and inputs the group information to be integrated, and then performs the Grp partial integration instruction operation. The modulation transmission unit TX switches from Grp channel chX to common channel chZ, and then sets the GPS and selected Grp information (G-ID of the selected group) into a communication frame and transmits it (S3~S6). Furthermore, after transmission, the muting unit 11 related to the main receiver demodulator RX1 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state, and the muting unit 12 related to the sub-receive demodulator RX2 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state (S7).

[0037] Then, upon realizing that its own settings have been switched, the wireless communication terminal [s] switches the network status display on the LCD display units 22, 23 from a group formation state to a group partial integration state (S8). As will be described later, it receives GPS and selected group information, and since it forms an integrated group with each wireless communication terminal [r] whose selected group information includes its own G-ID, it becomes capable of performing communication using the common channel chZ (S9).

[0038] The GPS and selected Grp information transmitted by the wireless communication terminal [s] will be received and demodulated by the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ) of all other wireless communication terminals [r], and the operation of the wireless communication terminal [r] corresponds to steps S50:Y → S51:Y → S52~S54 in Figure 5A. At this stage, each wireless communication terminal [r] has its modulation transmitter TX set to correspond to the Grp organization status (Grp channel chX). Therefore, if the selected Grp information includes the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, each wireless communication terminal [r] switches the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX from Grp channel chX to common channel chZ, and switches the muting unit 11 from the unmuted state to the muted state, and the muting unit 12 from the muted state to the unmuted state, thereby entering the integrated group setting state (S51:Y → S52:Y → S53, S54). On the other hand, if the G-ID of the group to which the user belongs is not included in the selected group information, the settings corresponding to the group organization status will remain unchanged without any configuration changes, and the original group communication will be possible.

[0039] Therefore, each wireless communication terminal [r] that has entered an integrated group configuration with wireless communication terminal [s] will communicate on the common channel chZ, while each wireless communication terminal [r] in the non-integrated group will remain configured to communicate on the Grp channel chX of the group Gi to which it belongs. Thus, the network will be configured in a partially integrated Grp state.

[0040] An example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(a) is shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9. In Figure 7, wireless communication terminal [s]31, which belongs to group G1 in the group organization state, switches its modulation transmitter TX to the common channel chZ and transmits GPS, and the G-IDs of the group to be integrated (G1, G2) or (G1, G2, G4) are attached to the GPS as selected group information. In that case, the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 of the wireless communication terminal [s]31 is turned OFF when transmitting GPS, but the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 of other wireless communication terminals [r] is ON and can always receive GPS and selected group information regardless of the group.

[0041] Then, each wireless communication terminal [r] will detect the G-ID group that has been integrated as selected Grp information. When a G-ID group of group (G1, G2) or (G1, G2, G4) is detected, the wireless communication devices [r] belonging to that group will switch the modulation transmitter TX to the common channel chZ, the muting unit 11 on the main receiver demodulator RX1 side to the mute state, and the muting unit 12 on the sub-receiver demodulator RX2 side to the un-mute state. Therefore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, groups (G1, G2) or (G1, G2, G4) are integrated into a single group, while the other groups (G3, G4) or (G3) remain in their GLP configuration state, resulting in a GLP partial integration state for the network.

[0042] Here, Figures 8 and 9 show the state after each integrated group has been formed, in which the wireless communication terminal [s]31 has become a call-transmitting terminal. The radio waves (common channel chZ) of the call signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal [s]31 are received and demodulated by the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ) of all wireless communication terminals [r] other than the wireless communication terminal [s]31, regardless of whether they belong to the integrated group or not. However, only the wireless communication terminals [r] (32, 33, 41-43 in Figure 8, and 32, 33, 41-43, 61-63 in Figure 9) of the integrated group (group G1, G2 in Figure 8 or group G1, G2, G4 in Figure 9) have the muting unit 11 muted and the muting unit 12 unmuted, so that the audio signal transmitted by the wireless communication terminal [s] 31 is played back and output only by the wireless communication terminals of that integrated group. On the other hand, in the wireless communication terminals [r] of groups G3 and G4 in Figure 8 and group G3 in Figure 9, which were not integrated, the channel settings of the Grp organization state are maintained as they are, and independent group communication is performed on the respective Grp channels (chC, chD in Figure 8 and chC in Figure 9) of the wireless communication terminals [r] of those groups (51-53, 61-63 in Figure 8 and 51-53 in Figure 9).

[0043] 2. Changing the integration conditions in the GLP partial integration state [Figure 3-(b)] In a network in a Grp partial integration state, any wireless communication terminal [s] belonging to an integration group can switch to a new Grp partial integration state based on the partial integration conditions of the selected Grp by transmitting a GIPS with new selected Grp information added. The network state switching in Figure 3-(b) corresponds to steps S8, S9, S10: Y → S11, S12 → S8, S9 in Figure 4. At this stage, the wireless communication terminal [s] is in a Grp partial integration state, as indicated by the liquid crystal display units 22 and 23, and is in a state where communication using the common channel chZ is possible. However, when the operator 21 resets the Grp partial integration mode and selects and inputs the group information to be integrated, the modulation transmitter TX transmits the GPS and selected Grp information (S10~S12).

[0044] In this case, however, since the wireless communication device [s] is already configured in the integrated group (modulation transmitter TX: common channel chZ, muting unit 11: muted, muting unit 12: unmuted), unlike in Figure 3-(b), the device will proceed directly to transmission and there will be no switching of the muting units 11 and 12.

[0045] Then, upon transmission of GPS and selected Grp information, the wireless communication terminal [s] switches the network status display on the liquid crystal display units 22, 23 to a display corresponding to the new Grp partial integration state based on the selected Grp information (S8). As will be described later, it also becomes part of a new integrated group formed with the wireless communication terminal [r] that has received GPS and selected Grp information and is the target of integration, and thus becomes capable of performing group communication using the common channel chZ (S9).

[0046] The GPS and selected Grp information transmitted by the aforementioned wireless communication terminal [s] on the common channel chZ will be received and demodulated by the other wireless communication terminal [r] using the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ). The operation of this wireless communication terminal [r] corresponds to steps S55:Y → S56~S59 / S60~S63 in Figure 5A. In this case, the operation of the wireless communication terminal [r] differs depending on whether it is a terminal on the unintegrated Grp organizing side or a terminal on the integrated Grp integrating side in a network in a partially integrated Grp state, as follows:

[0047] When the wireless communication terminal [r] is configured for group formation, if the selected group information includes the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the group channel chX to the common channel chZ, and the muting unit 11 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state, and the muting unit 12 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state to configure the integrated group (S55:Y→S56,S57:Y→S58,S59). However, if the selected group information does not include the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, no setting changes are made and the settings corresponding to the group formation state are left as they are (S55:Y→S56,S57:N→S59).

[0048] On the other hand, in the case of a wireless communication terminal [r] with Grp integrated settings, if the selected Grp information includes the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, the settings remain as they are for the integrated group without making any setting changes (S55:Y→S60, S61:Y→S63). However, if the selected Grp information does not include the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the common channel chZ to the Grp channel chX, and the muting unit 11 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state, and the muting unit 12 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state to set the settings corresponding to the Grp organization status (S55:Y→S60, S61:N→S62, S63).

[0049] Therefore, all wireless communication terminals [s] and wireless communication terminals [r] belonging to a group integrated by GPS and selected Grp information will be configured to communicate on the common channel chZ, while all wireless communication terminals [r] that are excluded from the integration command because the selected Grp information does not include a G-ID will be configured to communicate on the Grp channel chX, and the network will be reconfigured to a partially integrated Grp state based on the new selected Grp information.

[0050] Figures 10 and 8 show an example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(b) above. Here, for example, in a Grp partial integration state (groups G1, G2, and G3 are integrated), as shown in Figure 10, suppose that wireless communication terminal [s]41 belonging to the integrated group resets the Grp partial integration mode and transmits a GPS with the G-IDs of groups G1 and G2 added as selected Grp information.

[0051] In this case, the wireless communication terminal [s]41 maintains the communication settings as an integrated group as described above, but the other wireless communication terminals [r] in the network receive and demodulate the GPS and selected Grp information with the sub-receive demodulation unit RX2 and execute the operation procedure of steps S55:Y → S56~S59 / S60~S63 in Figure 5A, thereby switching the Grp partial integration state from the integration of groups G1, G2, and G3 to the integration of only groups G1 and G2, and each wireless communication terminal [r] of group G3 is returned to its group configuration state. As a result, the network switches to a partially integrated Grp state as shown in Figure 8, with the wireless communication terminals [r] of groups G1 and G2 communicating using the common channel chZ as a new integrated group with group G3 removed, and the wireless communication terminals [r] of groups G3 and G4 communicating using Grp channels chC and chD, respectively.

[0052] 3. Switching from a partially integrated group state to a fully organized group state [Figure 3-(c)] In a network in a partially integrated Grp state, any wireless communication terminal [s] belonging to an integrated group can switch the network to a fully organized Grp state by transmitting a GFS. The network state switching in Figure 3-(c) corresponds to steps S8, S9, S10: N → S13: Y → S14, S15 → S1, S2 in Figure 4. At this stage, the wireless communication terminals [s] belonging to the integrated group are indicated on the liquid crystal displays 22, 23 as being in a Grp partial integration state and are in a state where communication using the common channel chZ is possible. However, when the Grp organization mode is set from the operation unit 21, the modulation transmission unit TX transmits a GFS (S13:Y→S14). Furthermore, after transmission, the muting unit 11 related to the main receiver demodulator RX1 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state, and the muting unit 12 related to the sub-receive demodulator RX2 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state (S15).

[0053] Then, the wireless communication terminal [s] that transmitted the GFS switches the network status display on the LCD display units 22, 23 from a partially integrated Grp state to a fully organized Grp state, as its own settings have been switched (S1). As will be described later, the wireless communication terminal [r] that received the GFS will return to the original settings of each Grp channel, and will be able to perform group communication using Grp channel chX (S2).

[0054] The GFS transmitted by wireless communication terminal [s] on the common channel chZ will be received and demodulated by the other wireless communication terminal [r] using the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ). The operation of this wireless communication terminal [r] corresponds to steps S71:Y→S72,S73 / S74~S76 in Figure 5B. In this case, the operation of the wireless communication terminal [r] differs as follows depending on whether it is a terminal with an unintegrated Grp organization setting or a terminal with an integrated Grp integration setting in a network with a partially integrated Grp state:

[0055] If the wireless communication terminal [r] is configured for Grp formation, the settings corresponding to the Grp formation state are left as they are without making any setting changes (S71:Y→S72,S73). If the wireless communication terminal [r] is configured for Grp integrated settings, the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the common channel chZ to the Grp channel chX, and the muting unit 11 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state, and the muting unit 12 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state to match the settings corresponding to the Grp formation state (S71:Y→S74~S76).

[0056] Therefore, the wireless communication terminal [s] and all other linear communication terminals [r] are configured to communicate on Grp channel chX, and the network is switched to a Grp configuration state.

[0057] Figures 10 and 6 show an example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(c) above. Here, in the partially integrated Grp state shown in Figure 10 (groups G1, G2, and G4 are integrated), when a wireless communication terminal [s] 41 belonging to the integrated group sets the Grp formation mode, it transmits a GFS from the modulation transmitter TX (common channel chZ) and then switches itself to the Grp formation state setting (steps S13 to S15 in Figure 4). The transmitted GFS is received and demodulated by the sub-receiving and demodulating units RX2 of all other wireless communication terminals [r]. Then, the wireless communication terminals [r] execute the operation procedure S71:Y → S72, S73 / S74~S76 in Figure 5B, and the wireless communication terminals [r] 31~33, 42, 43, 61~63 of the integrated group are switched to the Grp organization state, while the wireless communication terminals [r] 51~53 maintain the Grp organization state. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the entire network switches to a GLP configuration state, and the wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] of each group G1, G2, G3, and G4 communicate using GLP channels chA, chB, chC, and chD, respectively.

[0058] 4. Switching from a partially integrated GLP state to a fully integrated GLP state [Figure 3-(d)] In a network in a partially integrated Grp state, any wireless communication terminal [s] belonging to an integration group can switch the network to a fully integrated Grp state by transmitting a GIS. The network state switching in Figure 3-(d) corresponds to steps S8, S9, S10:N→S13:N→S18~S21 in Figure 4. In the Grp partial integration state, the wireless communication terminal [s] of the integrated group displays on the liquid crystal display units 22, 23 that it is in the Grp partial integration state and is in a state where it can communicate using the common channel chZ. However, when the operation unit 21 sets the Grp full integration mode, the modulation transmission unit TX transmits GIS (S8, S9, S10: N → S13: N → S18, S19).

[0059] Then, the wireless communication terminal [s] that transmitted the GIS switches the network status display on the liquid crystal display units 22, 23 from a partially integrated GLP state to a fully integrated GLP state (S20). As will be described later, all other wireless communication terminals [r] that received the GIS enter a common channel chZ setting state, and communication using the common channel chZ can be performed with all of these wireless communication terminals [r] (S21).

[0060] On the other hand, the GIS transmitted by wireless communication terminal [s] on the common channel chZ will be received and demodulated by the other wireless communication terminal [r] using the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ), and the operation of this wireless communication terminal [r] corresponds to steps S77:Y→S78~S80 / S81,S82 in Figure 5B. In this case, the operation of the wireless communication terminal [r] differs as follows depending on whether it is a terminal with an unintegrated Grp organization setting or a terminal with an integrated Grp integration setting in a network with a partially integrated Grp state:

[0061] If the wireless communication terminal [r] is configured in a Grp group, the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the Grp channel chX to the common channel chZ, and the muting unit 11 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state, and the muting unit 12 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state to configure it to correspond to the Grp integrated state (S77:Y→S78~S80). If the wireless communication terminal [r] is configured in a Grp integrated state, no setting changes are made and it remains configured to correspond to the Grp integrated state (S77:Y→S81,S82).

[0062] Therefore, the wireless communication terminal [s] and all other wireless communication terminals [r] are configured to communicate on the common channel chZ, and the network is switched to a fully integrated Grp state.

[0063] Figures 10 and 11 show an example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(d) above. Here, in the partially integrated Grp state shown in Figure 10 (groups G1, G2, and G4 are integrated), when the fully integrated Grp mode is set on the wireless communication terminal [s] 41 belonging to the integrated group, it transmits the GIS on the common channel chZ (steps S18 and S19 in Figure 4), and the transmitted GIS is received and demodulated by the sub-receiver / demodulator RX2 of all other wireless communication terminals [r]. Then, the wireless communication terminals [r] execute the operation procedure of steps S77:Y → S78~S80 / S81,S82 in Figure 5B, and the wireless communication terminals [r] 31~33, 41~43, 61~63 of the integrated group maintain their Grp integrated state settings, while wireless communication terminals [r] 51~53 are switched to the Grp integrated state setting. As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the network switches to a fully integrated GLP state, and each wireless communication terminal [s] / [r] in each group G1, G2, G3, and G4 communicates using the common channel chZ.

[0064] 5. Switching from fully integrated GLP state to partially integrated GLP state [Figure 3-(e)] In the fully integrated Grp state, any wireless communication terminal [s] can switch to a partially integrated Grp state based on the partially integrated conditions of the selected Grp by transmitting a GIPS with the selected Grp information attached. The operation of the wireless communication terminal [s] in relation to the network state switching in Figure 3-(e) corresponds to steps S20, S21, S22:Y → S23~S25 → S8, S9 in Figure 4. In the fully integrated Grp state, all wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in the network display on their liquid crystal displays 22, 23 that they are in the fully integrated Grp state, and are in a state where they can perform simplex group communication on the shared channel chZ (S20, S21). In this state, when the wireless communication terminal [s] sets the Grp partial integration mode from the operation unit 21, selects and inputs the group information to be integrated, and then performs the Grp partial integration instruction operation, the modulation transmission unit TX sets the GPS and selected Grp information (G-ID of the selected group) into a communication frame and transmits it (S22:Y → S23~S25).

[0065] Then, by transmitting GPS and selected Grp information, the wireless communication terminal [s] switches the network status display on the liquid crystal display units 22, 23 from a fully integrated Grp state to a partially integrated Grp state (S8). As will be described later, an integrated group is formed between the wireless communication terminal [r] (which includes its own G-ID in the selected Grp information) that received the GPS and selected Grp information, and the terminal becomes capable of performing group communication using the common channel chZ (S9).

[0066] On the other hand, the GPS and selected Grp information transmitted by the wireless communication terminal [s] will be received and demodulated by the sub-receiving and demodulating unit RX2 (common channel chZ) of all other wireless communication terminals [r], and the operation of the wireless communication terminal [r] corresponds to steps S50:Y → S51:N → S55:N → S64~S67 in Figure 5A. At this stage, each wireless communication terminal [r] is configured to correspond to the Grp integration state (modulation transmitter TX: common channel chZ, muting unit 11: muted state, muting unit 12: unmuted state) (S64). Then, if the selected Grp information includes the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, each wireless communication terminal [r] maintains the settings corresponding to the Grp integration state without making any setting changes and becomes a terminal of the integrated group (S64, S65: Y → S67). However, if the selected Grp information does not include the G-ID of the group to which the device belongs, the setting channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the common channel chZ to the Grp channel chX, and the muting unit 11 is switched from the muted state to the unmuted state, and the muting unit 12 is switched from the unmuted state to the muted state, thereby setting the device to the Grp organization state and becoming a terminal of the original group Gi (S64, S65: N → S66, S67).

[0067] Therefore, each wireless communication terminal [r] that has entered an integrated group configuration with wireless communication terminal [s] will be configured to communicate on the common channel chZ, and each wireless communication terminal [r] in the non-integrated group will be configured to communicate on the Grp channel chX in the Grp organization state, resulting in a network configuration of a partially integrated Grp state.

[0068] An example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(e) above is shown in Figures 12 and 8. In Figure 12, the network is in a fully integrated Grp state, and the wireless communication terminal [s]33 transmits GPS from the modulation transmitter TX (common channel chZ). The selected Grp information attached to the GPS is the G-ID group of the groups G1 and G2 that are to be integrated. In that case, the sub-receiving demodulation unit RX2 of the wireless communication terminal [s]33 is turned OFF, but the other wireless communication terminals [r] remain ON and can always receive GPS and selected Grp information.

[0069] Then, the wireless communication terminal [r] that receives the GPIS and selected Grp information will execute steps S64 to S67 in Figure 5A. In this case, since the selected Grp information attached to the GPIS is the G-ID of groups G1 and G2, wireless communication terminals 31 to 33 and 41 to 43, which belonged to groups G1 and G2, including the wireless communication terminal [s] that transmitted the GPIS, will form an integrated group with settings corresponding to the Grp integration state (S65:Y→S67). Meanwhile, wireless communication terminals 51 to 53 and 61 to 63, which belonged to the other groups G3 and G4, will be switched from settings corresponding to the Grp integration state to settings corresponding to the Grp organization state, and will be in a state where group communication (Grp channels chC and chD) in groups G3 and G4 is possible (S65:N→S66,S67). As a result, the network enters the partially integrated Grp state shown in Figure 8, where groups G1 and G2 are integrated, and their wireless communication terminals 31-33 and 41-43 communicate using a simplex method with a common channel chZ, while wireless communication terminals 51-53 of group G3 and wireless communication terminals 61-63 of group G4 communicate using simplex methods with Grp channels chC and chD, respectively.

[0070] 6. Mutual switching between fully integrated group state and group organization state [Figure 3-(f), (g)] In the fully integrated Grp state, any wireless communication terminal [s] can switch to the Grp organization state by transmitting a GFS, and in the Grp organization state, any wireless communication terminal [s] can switch to the integrated Grp state by transmitting a GIS. Furthermore, this network state switching has already been introduced and explained in the [Background Technology] section above as a previous patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-065037) by the applicant of this application.

[0071] Figure 3-(f), that is, the operation on the wireless communication terminal [s] side related to the switching of the network state from the fully integrated GLP state to the organized GLP state, corresponds to steps S20, S21, S22:N → S26:Y → S27, S28 → S1, S2 in Figure 4. Furthermore, the operation on the wireless communication terminal [r] side, which receives the GFS transmitted by wireless communication terminal [s] in step S27 of Figure 4, corresponds to steps S71:Y → S74~S76 of Figure 5B. In this case, the wireless communication terminal [r] refers to all terminals in the network other than the wireless communication terminal [s].

[0072] Therefore, both wireless communication terminal [s] and wireless communication terminal [r] switch to settings corresponding to the GLP organization state (step S28 in Figure 4 and step S75 in Figure 5B), and the network enters the GLP organization state. An example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(f) is shown in Figures 12 and 6. Based on the transmission of GFS by wireless communication terminal [s]33 in the fully integrated Grp state in Figure 12, the network switches to the Grp organization state in Figure 6.

[0073] On the other hand, the operation on the wireless communication terminal [s] side related to the switching of the network state from the Grp organization state to the Grp full integration state, as shown in Figure 3-(g), corresponds to steps S1, S2, S3:N → S16:Y → S17 → S19~S20 in Figure 4. Furthermore, the operation on the wireless communication terminal [r] side, which receives the GIS transmitted by wireless communication terminal [s] in step S19 of Figure 4, corresponds to steps S77→S78~S80 in Figure 5B. In this case, the wireless communication terminal [r] refers to all terminals in the network other than the wireless communication terminal [s].

[0074] Therefore, both wireless communication terminal [s] and wireless communication terminal [r] switch to settings corresponding to the GLP integrated state (step S17 in Figure 4 and step S79 in Figure 5B), and the network enters the GLP fully integrated state. An example of network state switching due to the operation of wireless communication terminals [s] / [r] in Figure 3-(g) is shown in Figures 7 and 11. Based on the transmission of GIS by wireless communication terminal [s]31 of group G1 in the Grp organization state in Figure 7, the network switches to the fully integrated Grp state in Figure 11. [Industrial applicability]

[0075] The present invention can be applied to a network system that switches between a group formation state, a partially integrated group state, and a fully integrated group state in a network such as a business wireless communication terminal, and to a wireless communication terminal that implements this system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 10...Antenna, 11,12...Muting section, 13...Signal combining section, 14...Amplifier, 15...Speaker (or earphone), 16...Microphone, 17...Amplifier, 20...System control section, 21...Operation section, 22...LCD display section, 23...Indicator lamp, TX...Modulation transmission section, RX1...Main receiver / demodulation section, RX2...Sub-receive / demodulation section, 31~33,41~43,51~53,61~63...Wireless communication terminals, GIS...Group full integrated signal, GFS...Group organization signal, GPIS...Group partial integrated signal, 101~103,201~203,301~303...Wireless communication terminals.

Claims

1. A network capable of having the following states: a group formation state in which there are N groups (however, N ≥ 3) in which multiple wireless communication terminals communicate in a simplex manner using one channel, each using a different channel (hereinafter referred to as the "group channel"); a fully integrated group state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to the group communicate in a simplex manner using a common channel; and a partially integrated group state in which some of the group wireless communication terminals belonging to multiple groups use a common channel, while wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups communicate in a simplex manner using their respective group channels. The wireless communication terminal comprises a modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel of the group to which the unit belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "own group channel") or the common channel; a main receiver / demodulator set to the own group channel; a sub-receive / demodulator set to the common channel; a first muting means controlled to mute or unmute the output signal of the main receiver / demodulator; a second muting means controlled to mute or unmute the output signal of the sub-receive / demodulator; a signal combining means that combines the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputs them to an audio playback means; and a command transmission means that, in transmission mode, generates a group formation signal, a group integration signal, and a group partial integration signal with selected group information including the group to which the unit belongs, respectively, based on instruction inputs from the operation means regarding group formation, total group integration, or partial group integration involving the selection of some groups, and sets the modulation transmission unit to the common channel to transmit the generated signals. The system includes a control means which, when the transmission means causes the group formation signal to be transmitted or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group formation signal from another unit, sets the modulation transmission unit to its own group channel and sets the first muting means to the unmuted state and the second muting means to the muted state, thereby setting the first control state; when the command transmission means causes the group full integration signal to be transmitted or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group full integration signal, sets the modulation transmission unit to the common channel and sets the first muting means to the muted state and the second muting means to the unmuted state, thereby setting the second control state; and when the command transmission means causes the group partial integration signal to be transmitted or when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal from another unit with selected group information including the own unit added, sets the system to the second control state; and when the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal from another unit with selected group information not including the own unit added, sets the system to the first control state. When any of the wireless communication terminals in the network transmit the group formation signal in response to an instruction input from the operating means, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the first control state and constitute the group formation state. When the full group integration signal is transmitted, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the second control state and constitute the full group integration state. When the partial group integration signal is transmitted, the wireless communication terminals of the group included in the selected group information enter the second control state, and the wireless communication terminals of the group not included in the selected group information enter the first control state and constitute the partial group integration state. A wireless communication network system characterized by the following features.

2. The wireless communication network system according to claim 1, wherein, in the case where the command transmission means of the wireless communication terminal generates and transmits the group partial integration signal to which the selected group information has been added, the selected group information, which specifies the group to be selected in advance, is registered in the storage means, and the selected group information is read from the storage means by a single operation from the operation means, added to the group partial integration signal, and transmitted.

3. The wireless communication terminal is equipped with a display means, The system control means, When the first control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group formation signal, the network is displayed as being in the group formation state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group-wide integration signal, the network is displayed as being in the group-wide integration state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission of the group partial integration signal or the reception of the group partial integration signal to which selected group information including the own unit is added, and when the first control state is set based on the reception of the group partial integration signal to which selected group information not including the own unit is added, the system will display that the system is in the group partial integration state, and will also display the selected group information. The wireless communication network system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A wireless communication terminal applicable to a network that can take on the following states: a group formation state in which there are N groups (however, N ≥ 3) in which multiple wireless communication terminals communicate in a simplex manner using one channel, each using a different channel (hereinafter referred to as the "group channel"); a fully integrated group state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to the group communicate in a simplex manner using a common channel; and a partially integrated group state in which some of the multiple groups use a common channel, and wireless communication terminals belonging to other groups communicate in a simplex manner using their respective group channels. A modulation transmission unit that is selectively set to the group channel of the group to which the unit belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "own group channel") or the common channel, The main receiver demodulator set to the group channel, The sub-receiving demodulation unit set on the common channel, A first muting means that controls the output signal of the main receiver demodulator to be muted or unmuted, A second muting means that controls the output signal of the sub-receiving demodulation unit to be muted or unmuted, A signal combining means that combines the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputs them to a sound playback means, In transmission mode, a command transmission means generates a group formation signal, a group integration signal, and a group partial integration signal with selected group information added, respectively, based on instruction inputs from the operating means regarding group formation, total group integration, or partial group integration involving the selection of some groups, and sets the modulation transmission unit to the common channel to transmit the generated signals. When the command transmission means causes the group formation signal to be transmitted or the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group formation signal from another unit, the modulation transmission unit is set to the local group channel, and the first muting means is set to the unmuted state and the second muting means is set to the muted state, thus setting the system control means to a first control state; when the command transmission means causes the group full integration signal to be transmitted or the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group full integration signal, the modulation transmission unit is set to the common channel, and the first muting means is set to the muted state and the second muting means is set to the unmuted state, thus setting the system control means to a second control state; when the command transmission means causes the group partial integration signal to be transmitted or the sub-receiving demodulation unit receives the group partial integration signal from another unit with selected group information including the local unit added, the system control means sets the system to a second control state; and when the command transmission means causes the group partial integration signal from another unit with selected group information not including the local unit added, the system control means sets the system to a first control state. A wireless communication terminal characterized by having the following features.

5. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein, in the case where the command transmission means generates and transmits the group partial integration signal to which the selected group information has been added, the selected group information, which specifies the group to be selected in advance, is registered in the storage means, and the selected group information is read from the storage means by a single operation from the operation means, added to the group partial integration signal, and transmitted.

6. It is equipped with a display means, The system control means, When the first control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group formation signal, the network is displayed as being in the group formation state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission or reception of the group-wide integration signal, the network is displayed as being in the group-wide integration state. When the second control state is set based on the transmission of the group partial integration signal or the reception of the group partial integration signal to which selected group information including the own unit is added, and when the first control state is set based on the reception of the group partial integration signal to which selected group information not including the own unit is added, the system will display that the system is in the group partial integration state, and will also display the selected group information. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 4 or 5.

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