Wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and program

Abstract

To properly scan a channel receiving a signal.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device includes a receiving unit that receives radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device, a scanning unit that sequentially switches a plurality of reception channels preset in a reception unit in one cycle and performs search processing for searching for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each reception channel multiple times, a counting unit that counts the number of times in which a communication carrier is detected by the scanning unit for each reception channel and stores the result in a storage unit, and a setting unit that performs setting such that the number of searches within one period is larger than the number of searches within one period of a receiving channel whose number of detection does not exceed the specified number of times for a receiving channel whose number of detection exceeds a predetermined specified number of times within a preset first predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In a wireless communication device having a plurality of receiving channels, a technique is known that can reduce the waiting time required for channel scanning (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-164496 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When scanning multiple receiving channels, if the number of channels is large, even if a signal is being received on a certain channel, it may take time to detect that the signal is being received because the channels are scanned in order. As a result, even if a signal is received, the initial part of the signal may not be received, and the beginning of the audio may not be heard, which is called audio head cutting. There is a demand for technology that can properly scan signals detected by channels.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a program that are capable of appropriately scanning a channel on which a signal is being received. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless communication device of the present invention comprises a receiving unit that receives radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device, a scanning unit that performs a search process for multiple cycles by sequentially switching between multiple receiving channels preset in the receiving unit in one cycle and searching for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each receiving channel, a counting unit that counts the number of times a communication carrier is detected by the scanning unit for each receiving channel and stores the count in a memory unit, and a setting unit that sets the number of searches in one cycle for a receiving channel for which the number of detections exceeds a preset specified number within a preset first specified time period to be greater than the number of searches in one cycle for a receiving channel that does not exceed the preset number.

[0007] The wireless communication method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device, sequentially switching between multiple receiving channels preset in a receiving unit in one cycle and performing a search process for multiple cycles to search for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each receiving channel, counting the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each receiving channel and storing the number of times in a memory unit, and setting the number of searches in one cycle for the receiving channels whose detection count exceeds a preset specified number within a first predetermined time period to be greater than the number of searches in one cycle for the receiving channels that do not exceed the specified number.

[0008] The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the following steps: receiving radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device; sequentially switching between multiple receiving channels preset in the receiving unit in one cycle and performing a search process for multiple cycles to search for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each receiving channel; counting the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each receiving channel and storing it in a memory unit; and setting the number of searches within one cycle for a receiving channel for which the number of detections exceeds a preset specified number within a first predetermined time period to be greater than the number of searches within one cycle for a receiving channel that does not exceed the preset number. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately scan channels on which signals are being received. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the scan process according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a counting result of a communication carrier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing a search sequence for a communication carrier according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a scan process after the search sequence according to the first embodiment is changed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the counting result of the communication carrier according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing a search sequence for a communication carrier according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a scan process after the search sequence according to the second embodiment is changed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] An example of the configuration of a wireless communication device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration according to the first embodiment.

[0013] 1, the wireless communication device 10 includes a communication unit 12, an operation unit 14, a microphone 16, a speaker 18, a display unit 20, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 24. The wireless communication device 10 includes, but is not limited to, a portable wireless communication device, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and the like.

[0014] The communication unit 12 has a function of performing long-distance wireless communication. Examples of long-distance wireless communication include digital business radio such as APCO-P25 (Association of Public safety Communications Officials international Project 25) and NXDN (registered trademark). The long-distance wireless communication may be communication via a mobile phone network or the like. The communication unit 12 has a receiving unit 12a and a transmitting unit 12b.

[0015] The receiver 12a receives various radio waves including audio signals from other wireless communication devices. The receiver 12a is set to receive a plurality of radio wave frequencies. The radio wave frequencies that the receiver 12a can receive are also called channels.

[0016] The transmitter 12b transmits various radio waves including an audio signal to other wireless communication devices.

[0017] The operation unit 14 accepts various operations for the wireless communication device 10. The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a button, a switch, a lever, a numeric keypad, a touch panel, and a PTT (Push to Talk) button.

[0018] The microphone 16 picks up sounds around the wireless communication device 10. For example, the microphone 16 picks up the user's voice and converts it into an audio signal.

[0019] The speaker 18 outputs various sounds. For example, the speaker 18 outputs an audio signal received from another wireless communication device 10 as sound.

[0020] The display unit 20 displays various information. The display unit 20 includes a display including, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 20 includes, for example, a light-emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The display unit 20 may be integrated with the operation unit 14 by using a touch panel or the like as the operation unit 14.

[0021] The storage unit 22 is a memory that stores various types of information. The storage unit 22 stores information such as the contents of calculations and programs of the control unit 24. The storage unit 22 includes at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0022] The control unit 24 controls the operation of each unit of the wireless communication device 10. The control unit 24 is realized, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing a program stored in the storage unit 22 or the like using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 24 may be realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control unit 24 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0023] The control unit 24 includes a scanning unit 30, a counting unit 32, a setting unit 34, an operation control unit 36, an audio signal acquisition unit 38, and an output control unit 40.

[0024] The scanning unit 30 executes a scan of the receiving frequencies assigned to the receiving channels. For example, the scanning unit 30 sequentially switches among a plurality of receiving channels preset in the receiving unit 12a, and searches for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each of the preset receiving channels. For example, the scanning unit 30 executes scanning over a plurality of periods, with a process of searching for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each of the preset receiving frequencies being regarded as one period. Specific processing of the scanning unit 30 according to the first embodiment will be described later.

[0025] The counting unit 32 counts the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each receiving channel. For example, when the scanning unit 30 executes a scan over multiple cycles, the counting unit 32 counts the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each receiving channel over the multiple cycles. The counting unit 32 stores the counting results for each receiving channel in the storage unit 22. Specific processing of the counting unit 32 according to the first embodiment will be described later.

[0026] The setting unit 34 sets a search sequence for the scan process. For example, the setting unit 34 changes the number of times a predetermined receiving channel is scanned in one period among the receiving channels scanned by the scanning unit 30 based on the count result of the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each receiving channel by the counting unit 32. Specific processing of the setting unit 34 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0027] The operation control unit 36 ​​acquires operation information related to various operations accepted by the operation unit 14. The audio signal acquisition unit 38 acquires audio signals from the microphone 16. The output control unit 40 controls the speaker 18 to output various sounds. The output control unit 40 controls the display unit 20 to display various information.

[0028] [Scanning] Next, a description will be given of the scanning process according to the first embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that there are ten reception frequencies preset in the receiving unit 12a, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0029] The scanning process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the scanning process according to the first embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, when the scanning process is started, the scanning unit 30 scans the first channel (step S10). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the second channel (step S12). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the third channel (step S14). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fourth channel (step S16). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fifth channel (step S18). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the sixth channel (step S20). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the seventh channel (step S22). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the eighth channel (step S24). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the ninth channel (step S26). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the tenth channel (step S28). That is, the scanning unit 30 scans the first to tenth channels in order. A different reception frequency may be set for each of the first to tenth channels, or the same reception frequency may be set for some channels. The scanning unit 30 executes the scanning process over multiple cycles, with one cycle being a process of scanning the first to tenth channels in order.

[0031] The counting unit 32 counts the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each channel as a result of the scanning unit 30 scanning the first channel to the tenth channel. The counting unit 32 counts the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each channel as a result of the scanning unit 30 scanning the first channel to the tenth channel over multiple periods. The counting unit 32 stores in the memory unit 22 the number of times a communication carrier is detected for each of the first channel to the tenth channel.

[0032] The counting result of the communication carrier according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the counting result of the communication carrier according to the first embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows count results 22a of communication carriers for each channel within a predetermined time period. As shown in count results 22a, the number of times the first channel was detected is 1. The number of times the second channel was detected is 0. The number of times the third channel was detected is 4. The number of times the fourth channel was detected is 2. The number of times the fifth channel was detected is 3. The number of times the sixth channel was detected is 2. The number of times the seventh channel was detected is 0. The number of times the eighth channel was detected is 10. The number of times the ninth channel was detected is 3. The number of times the tenth channel was detected is 1.

[0034] The setting unit 34 judges whether or not there is a channel whose communication carrier has been detected a specified number of times or more within a predetermined time. The predetermined time can be set by the user as desired, for example, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, etc. The predetermined time may be set according to the frequency with which the wireless communication device 10 receives radio waves, for example. The predetermined time may be set relatively short if the wireless communication device 10 receives radio waves frequently, and relatively long if the wireless communication device 10 receives radio waves infrequently. The predetermined time here is also called a first predetermined time. The predetermined number of times can be set by the user as desired, for example, 10 times, 50 times, 100 times, etc. In the first embodiment, the setting unit 34 judges whether or not there is a channel whose communication carrier has been detected 10 times or more within a predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 3, the setting unit 34 detects that the number of times the communication carrier of the 8th channel has been detected is 10 times. In this case, the setting unit 34 judges that the wireless communication device 10 has a lot of communication on the 8th channel. However, if there are multiple channels with 10 or more detections, the channel with the most detections should be selected.

[0035] [How to change the search sequence] A method for changing a search sequence of a communication carrier according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing a search sequence of a communication carrier according to the first embodiment.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the setting unit 34 numbers each channel starting from the eighth channel, which has been determined to be the channel with the most communication. The setting unit 34 numbers the eighth channel as "1." The setting unit 34 numbers the ninth channel as "2." The setting unit 34 numbers the tenth channel as "3." The setting unit 34 numbers the first channel as "4." The setting unit 34 numbers the second channel as "5." The setting unit 34 numbers the third channel as "6." The setting unit 34 numbers the fourth channel as "7." The setting unit 34 numbers the fifth channel as "8." The setting unit 34 numbers the sixth channel as "9." The setting unit 34 numbers the seventh channel as "10."

[0037] The setting unit 34 calculates the center number by dividing the number of channels by 2. In the first embodiment, since the number of channels is 10, the setting unit 34 calculates the center number as 5, as "10÷2=5".

[0038] The setting unit 34 adds the 8th channel after the center number in the numbering starting from the 8th channel, and changes the search sequence so that the 8th channel is scanned twice in one cycle. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the setting unit 34 adds the 8th channel after the 2nd channel, and changes the search sequence so that the 8th channel is scanned twice in one cycle. That is, the setting unit 34 changes the search sequence based on the number of channels.

[0039] The scan process after changing the search sequence according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the scan process after changing the search sequence according to the first embodiment.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, when the scanning process is started, the scanning unit 30 scans the first channel (step S30). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the second channel (step S32). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the eighth channel (step S34). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the third channel (step S36). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fourth channel (step S38). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fifth channel (step S40). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the sixth channel (step S42). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the seventh channel (step S44). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the eighth channel (step S46). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the ninth channel (step S48). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the tenth channel (step S50).

[0041] 5, in the changed search sequence, the scanning unit 30 scans the 8th channel, which is determined to be a channel with a lot of communication, twice in one period. This makes it possible to prevent the beginning of the voice from being cut off when communicating on the 8th channel.

[0042] The setting unit 34 resets the number of times that the communication carrier of each channel has been detected after a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time here is also called a second predetermined time. The second predetermined time may be arbitrarily set by the user. Specifically, the setting unit 34 sets the number of times that the communication carrier of each channel has been detected in the count result shown in FIG. 3 to 0. At this time, the setting unit 34 does not restore the search sequence shown in FIG. 5, but maintains the search sequence in which the 8th channel is scanned twice in one period. After resetting the number of detections, if a new channel appears on which the communication carrier has been detected 10 times within the predetermined time, the setting unit 34 ends the search sequence in which the 8th channel is scanned twice in one period, and changes to a search sequence in which the new channel is scanned twice in the same manner as in the process shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0043] In the process shown in Figures 3 to 5, the search sequence is changed so that a channel determined to have a lot of communication is scanned twice in one cycle, but this is merely an example and does not limit the present invention. In the present invention, the search sequence may be changed so that a channel determined to have a lot of communication is scanned three or more times in one cycle.

[0044] [Processing content] The processing contents of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment.

[0045] The control unit 24 starts a scan process (step S100). Specifically, the scanning unit 30 sequentially scans all channels set in the receiving unit 12a in accordance with a user's operation to detect the presence or absence of a communication carrier. Then, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0046] The control unit 24 counts the number of times that the communication carrier is detected for each channel (step S102). Specifically, since the count unit 32 and the scanning unit 30 perform scanning over multiple periods, the number of times that the communication carrier is detected for each channel is counted as a result of the scanning, and the count result is stored in the storage unit 22. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0047] The control unit 24 determines whether or not the first predetermined time has elapsed (step S104). If it is determined that the first predetermined time has elapsed (step S104; Yes), the process proceeds to step S106. If it is not determined that the first predetermined time has elapsed (step S104; No), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0048] If it is determined that the answer is Yes in step S104, the control unit 24 determines whether or not there is a channel for which the communication carrier has been detected a prescribed number of times or more (step S106). Specifically, the setting unit 34 determines whether or not there is a channel for which the communication carrier has been detected a prescribed number of times or more within a first predetermined time based on the counting result of the counting unit 32. If it is determined that there is a channel for which the communication carrier has been detected a prescribed number of times or more (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. If it is not determined that there is a channel for which the communication carrier has been detected a prescribed number of times or more (step S106; No), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0049] If the answer is Yes in step S106, the control unit 24 changes the search sequence (step S108). Specifically, the setting unit 34 changes the search sequence so that the number of times that the channel determined to have been detected more than the specified number of times in step S106 is scanned in one cycle is greater than the number of times that the other channels are scanned. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0050] The control unit 24 resets the number of times the communication carrier has been detected (step S110). Specifically, after the second predetermined period has elapsed, the setting unit 34 sets the number of times the communication carrier has been detected for each channel by the counting unit 32 to 0. Then, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0051] If No in step S104, No in step S106, or after step S110, the control unit 24 determines whether or not to end the process (step S112). Specifically, the control unit 24 determines to end the process when an operation to not receive radio waves is received, or an operation to turn off the power of the wireless communication device 10 is received. If it is determined to end the process (step S112; No), the process of Fig. 6 is ended. If it is not determined to end the process (step S112; Yes), the process proceeds to step S100.

[0052] As described above, in the first embodiment, the number of scans per cycle for a channel determined to have a lot of communication can be increased. This makes it possible to prevent the beginning of a voice signal received on a channel determined to have a lot of communication from being cut off in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the first embodiment, voice calls can be appropriately made on a channel determined to have a lot of communication.

[0053] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a process will be described in which the number of times to scan in one cycle is increased for a plurality of channels. Specifically, the number of times to scan in one cycle is increased for two channels. The configuration of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the wireless communication device 10 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] The counting result of the communication carrier according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the counting result of the communication carrier according to the second embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows count results 22b of communication carriers for each channel within a specified time period. As shown in count results 22b, the number of times the first channel was detected is 1. The number of times the second channel was detected is 0. The number of times the third channel was detected is 4. The number of times the fourth channel was detected is 2. The number of times the fifth channel was detected is 10. The number of times the sixth channel was detected is 2. The number of times the seventh channel was detected is 0. The number of times the eighth channel was detected is 10. The number of times the ninth channel was detected is 3. The number of times the tenth channel was detected is 1.

[0056] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the setting unit 34 determines whether or not there is a channel whose communication carrier has been detected 10 times or more within a predetermined time. As shown in Fig. 6, the setting unit 34 detects that the number of times that the communication carriers of the 5th channel and the 8th channel have been detected is 10 times. In this case, the setting unit 34 determines that the 5th channel and the 8th channel have a lot of communications in the wireless communication device 10. However, if there are three or more channels whose number of detections is 10 or more, it is sufficient to select the top two channels with the most detections.

[0057] [How to change the search sequence] The setting unit 34 changes the search sequence so as to increase the number of scans per cycle for the 5th and 8th channels. First, for the first channel, the setting unit 34 changes the search sequence so as to increase the number of scans per cycle for the 8th channel in this case, according to the processes shown in Figures 3 and 4 as in the first embodiment.

[0058] Next, a method for changing the search sequence of a communication carrier for a second channel according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for changing the search sequence of a communication carrier for a second channel according to the second embodiment.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, in order to increase the number of scans per cycle for the second channel, the fifth channel, which is determined to be a channel with a lot of communication, the setting unit 34 assigns numbers to each channel starting from the fifth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "1" to the fifth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "2" to the sixth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "3" to the seventh channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "4" to the eighth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "5" to the ninth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "6" to the tenth channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "7" to the first channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "8" to the second channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "9" to the third channel. The setting unit 34 assigns "10" to the fourth channel.

[0060] The setting unit 34 calculates the center number by dividing the number of channels by 2. In the second embodiment, since the number of channels is 10, the setting unit 34 calculates the center number as 5, as "10÷2=5".

[0061] The setting unit 34 adds the fifth channel after the center number in the numbering starting from the fifth channel, and changes the search sequence so that the fifth channel is scanned twice in one cycle. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the setting unit 34 adds the fifth channel after the ninth channel, and changes the search sequence so that the fifth channel is scanned twice in one cycle.

[0062] The scanning process after changing the search sequence according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the scanning process after changing the search sequence according to the second embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9 . When the scanning process is started, the scanning unit 30 scans the first channel (step S60). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the second channel (step S62). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the eighth channel (step S64). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the third channel (step S66). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fourth channel (step S68). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fifth channel (step S70). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the sixth channel (step S72). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the seventh channel (step S74). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the eighth channel (step S76). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the ninth channel (step S78). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the fifth channel (step S80). Next, the scanning unit 30 scans the tenth channel.

[0064] 9, in the changed search sequence, the scanning unit 30 scans the fifth and eighth channels, which are determined to be channels with a lot of communication, twice in one period. This makes it possible to prevent audio from being cut off when communicating on the fifth or eighth channel.

[0065] The setting unit 34 resets the number of times that the communication carrier of each channel has been detected after a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, the setting unit 34 sets the number of times that the communication carrier of each channel has been detected in the count result shown in FIG. 7 to 0. At this time, the setting unit 34 does not restore the search sequence shown in FIG. 9, but maintains the search sequence in which the fifth channel and the eighth channel are scanned twice in one period. After resetting the number of detections, if two new channels appear on which the communication carrier has been detected 10 times within a predetermined time, the setting unit 34 ends the search sequence in which the fifth channel and the eighth channel are scanned twice in one period, and changes to a search sequence in which two new channels are scanned twice in the same manner as in the processes shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0066] In the processes shown in Figures 7 to 9, the search sequence is changed so as to increase the number of scans per cycle for two channels determined to have a lot of communication, but this is merely an example and does not limit the present invention. In the present invention, the search sequence may be changed so as to increase the number of scans per cycle for three or more channels determined to have a lot of communication. The same method as described in Figure 8 may be used for the third and subsequent channels. The upper limit of the number of channels for which the number of scans per cycle is increased may be set according to, for example, the number of channels set in the receiving unit 12a.

[0067] [Processing content] The processing contents of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing of the wireless communication device according to the second embodiment.

[0068] The processes from step S200 to step S206 are the same as the processes from step S100 to step S106 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0069] If it is determined that the answer is Yes in step S206, the control unit 24 determines whether or not there are multiple channels whose communication carrier has been detected a specified number of times or more (step S208). Specifically, the setting unit 34 determines whether or not there are multiple channels whose communication carrier has been detected a specified number of times or more within the first predetermined time based on the counting result of the counting unit 32. If it is determined that there are multiple channels whose communication carrier has been detected a specified number of times or more (step S208; Yes), the process proceeds to step S210. If it is not determined that there are multiple channels whose communication carrier has been detected a specified number of times or more (step S208; No), the process proceeds to step S212.

[0070] If the answer to step S208 is Yes, the control unit 24 changes the search sequence for the multiple channels (step S210). Specifically, the setting unit 34 changes the search sequence so that the number of times each of the multiple channels whose communication carriers have been detected is determined to be equal to or greater than the specified number of times is scanned in one cycle more than the other channels. Then, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0071] The processes from step S212 to step S216 are the same as the processes from step S108 to step S112 shown in FIG. 6, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0072] As described above, in the second embodiment, the number of scans per cycle can be increased for each of the multiple channels determined to have heavy communication. This makes it possible to prevent the beginning of a voice signal received on any of the multiple channels determined to have heavy communication from being cut off in the second embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, voice calls can be appropriately made on the channels determined to have heavy communication.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. The above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Wireless communication devices 12 Communications Department 12a Receiving section 12b Transmitter 14 Control section 16. Mike 18 Speaker 20 Display section 22 Memory section 24 Control Unit 30 Scanning section 32 Counting section 34 Setting section 36 Operation control section 38 Audio signal acquisition unit 40 Output control section

Claims

1. a receiving unit for receiving radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device; a scanning unit that performs a search process for multiple periods by sequentially switching a plurality of reception channels preset in the receiving unit in one period and searching for the presence or absence of a communication carrier for each of the reception channels; a counting unit that counts the number of times that the scanning unit detects a communication carrier for each of the receiving channels and stores the number of times in a storage unit; a setting unit that sets the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count exceeds a predetermined number within a first predetermined time period to be greater than the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count does not exceed the predetermined number; A wireless communication device comprising:

2. the setting unit sets the number of searches per period for the receiving channel whose detection count exceeds the specified number to at least twice the number of searches for the receiving channel whose detection count does not exceed the specified number. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. the setting unit sets the number of searches per one period for the plurality of receiving channels to be the same after a second predetermined period has elapsed.

3. A wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. receiving radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device; A step of sequentially switching a plurality of reception channels preset in the receiving unit in one period and performing a search process for a plurality of periods in which the presence or absence of a communication carrier is searched for for each of the reception channels; Counting the number of times that a communication carrier is detected for each of the reception channels and storing the number of times in a storage unit; a step of setting the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count exceeds a preset number of times within a first predetermined time period to be greater than the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count does not exceed the preset number of times; A wireless communication method comprising:

5. receiving radio waves transmitted from another wireless communication device; A step of sequentially switching a plurality of reception channels preset in the receiving unit in one period and performing a search process for a plurality of periods in which the presence or absence of a communication carrier is searched for for each of the reception channels; Counting the number of times that a communication carrier is detected for each of the reception channels and storing the number of times in a storage unit; a step of setting the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count exceeds a preset number of times within a first predetermined time period to be greater than the number of searches within one period for the receiving channel whose detection count does not exceed the preset number of times; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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