Wireless communication network system and wireless communication terminal

Abstract

In a single-message wireless communication network, a system is provided that can instantaneously switch the group formation / integration state from each wireless communication terminal. 【Solution means】Terminals belonging to each group G1 / G2 / G3 include a modulation transmission unit TX that can be switched between a group channel chA / chB / chC and a common channel chZ, a main reception demodulation unit RX1 fixed to the group channel, a sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 fixed to the common channel, muting units 11 and 12 for the outputs of each reception demodulation unit RX1 and RX2, and a signal synthesis unit 13 that synthesizes the outputs of each muting unit 11 and 12, and the output of the signal synthesis unit 13 is used for voice playback. When one terminal transmits an integration / formation command signal on the common channel, other terminals receive it with the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2, perform channel control of the modulation transmission unit TX and adaptive control of each muting unit 11 and 12, and one terminal itself also executes the same control in a transmission event.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network system and a wireless communication device thereof that can switch between a group formation state in which a plurality of groups performing single communication exist among a plurality of wireless communication terminals in a single communication method wireless communication network configured by business wireless communication devices of a specific low power standard or the like, and a group integration state in which groups are integrated to enable single communication even between wireless communication terminals of different groups.

Background Art

[0002] A wireless communication device of 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-exempt station. Therefore, outdoors, it is widely used for business communication among workers at various work sites such as construction sites, and indoors, it is widely used in relatively large restaurants, home centers with large spaces, etc.

[0003] Also, a wireless communication device of a digital simple radio 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 longer. 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 single communication method is often adopted, and communication within a business group is carried out while repeating transmission and reception 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 the security of 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 overall communication using a single channel throughout the entire area.

[0005] Therefore, basically, the problem is how to determine the range of group communication. Naturally, it is desirable to be able to appropriately switch between the operation states (group formation states) of a plurality of small-scale communication groups and the operation state (group integration state) of a large communication group formed by integrating these groups. In particular, such network operation is required to prepare for cases where information sharing is necessary through an urgently integrated communication network, such as during the occurrence of an accident or disaster.

[0006] On the other hand, in the network using the unicast communication method for business communication, as shown in FIG. 9, when the wireless communication terminals (101, 102, 103) belonging to group G1 and (201, 202, 203) belonging to group G2 are performing unicast communication on channels A and B respectively, communication between groups cannot be achieved unless one group matches its used channel to the channel of the other group, and there is no way to communicate between the two groups. And for changing the channel, a complex communication sequence is required, which takes time. Even if any one terminal in group G1 changes its transmission and reception channel to channel B and unicast communication becomes possible with each terminal in group G2, the other terminals in group G1 remain as before and have no way of knowing the situation.

[0007] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wireless communication method for reorganizing two ad-hoc wireless LANs into one integrated wireless LAN. In this wireless communication method, when an arbitrary group A performs network communication, any wireless terminal aa belonging to that group becomes the host of the group, executes carrier sense to check the used channel of any wireless terminal bb in another group B, and executes an information exchange procedure regarding the feasibility of group integration and the used communication channel through packet exchange between the two wireless terminals aa - bb. If it is determined that group integration is possible and the used communication channel is determined, each wireless terminal aa and bb notifies the other terminals in groups A and B respectively to set the determined communication channel, thereby starting peer-to-peer distributed network communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document

[0009]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] As described above, in group communication using wireless communication terminals that are used in many business fields, it is convenient to be able to switch between the operation state of a small communication group and the operation state of a large communication group that integrates those groups, and it is considered that rational operation adapted to various applications becomes possible thereby.

[0011] However, in the conventional method, in order for one group to match its used channel to the used channel of the other group, it is necessary to know in advance the used channel of the other group, or if not, to perform a scan or the like to find it. Even if the used channel is known, it is necessary to notify other terminals in the group to which the own device belongs to change to that channel. Therefore, the procedures for integrating and releasing groups are quite complicated and time-consuming, and considering that there are many cases where urgency is required, it cannot be said to be user-friendly. In the wireless communication method of Patent Document 1, wireless terminals aa and bb are made to execute the above procedure on behalf of Groups A and B, but there are still problems in terms of responsiveness. In addition, although the case of two communication groups is assumed above, when it comes to the integration and release of three or more communication groups, the procedure for executing it by prior communication becomes extremely complicated, and it is naturally impossible to expect responsiveness.

[0012] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention takes into account the above problems, and a group formation state in which a plurality of groups composed of a plurality of wireless communication terminals perform communication by an independent simplex method in each group unit, and a plurality of groups are integrated into one and all wireless communication terminals communicate with each other by a simplex method. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication network system and a wireless communication terminal capable of instantaneously switching between a group integration state and configuring them.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] In the wireless communication network system of the present invention, a group in which a plurality of wireless communication terminals communicate in a simplex manner using one channel exists in a state where a plurality of different channels (hereinafter referred to as "group channels") exist, and all wireless communication terminals belonging to the group communicate in a simplex manner using a common channel. In a network capable of taking a group integration state, the wireless communication terminal includes a modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel or the common channel of the group to which the own device belongs, a main reception demodulation unit set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, a sub-reception demodulation unit set to the common channel, a first muting means controlled to a mute state or a non-mute state with respect to the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit, and the sub-reception demodulation unit Outputsecond muting means controlled to a mute state or a non-mute state with respect to the force signal; signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputting the synthesized signals to the audio reproduction means; in a transmission mode, command transmission means for generating a group formation signal or a group integration signal in response to a selection instruction input from the operation means, setting the modulation transmission section to the common channel, and transmitting the generated signal; when the command transmission means transmits the group formation signal or when the sub-reception demodulation section receives the group formation signal, the modulation transmission section is set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, the first muting means is set to the non-mute state, and the second muting means is set to the mute state, while when the command transmission means transmits the group integration signal or when the sub-reception demodulation section receives the group integration signal, the modulation transmission section is set to the common channel, and the first muting means is set to the mute state and the second muting means is set to the non-mute state; and system control means for setting the second control state; and when any one 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 to form the group formation state, and when the group integration signal is transmitted, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the second control state to form the group integration state.

[0014] The wireless communication network system of the present invention can instantaneously switch the network between a group formation state and a group integration state simply by performing a selection operation from any one of the wireless communication terminals belonging to the network. Each wireless communication terminal in the network is characterized in that its modulation transmission section can be switched and set between a group channel and a common channel, the main reception demodulation section is set to the group channel, and the sub-reception demodulation section is set to the common channel. And as long as the own device does not enter the transmission mode, the main reception demodulation unit and the sub-reception demodulation unit are always in the ON state. However, first and second muting means are provided for their output signals respectively, and further, the outputs of the respective muting means are output to the voice reproduction means in a manner of being synthesized by the signal synthesizing means so that voice is reproduced. Note that as will be described later, since the respective muting means are controlled such that the mute state and the non-mute state are reversed with respect to each other, the signal synthesizing means may be configured as a simple electrical connection part.

[0015] Signals transmitted on the common channel from each wireless communication terminal can be received and demodulated by the sub-reception demodulation unit in wireless communication terminals other than the transmission terminal of the signal, regardless of the control state of the respective muting means. Also, by controlling the states of the two muting means to be in an inverse relationship of mute / non-mute, it is possible to switch and reproduce the voices of the group channel and the common channel.

[0016] On the above premise, in any one wireless communication terminal in the network, when the command transmission means transmits a group formation signal or a group integration signal from the modulation transmission unit on the common channel by a selection instruction input from the operation means, all other wireless communication terminals can receive and demodulate that signal by the sub-reception demodulation unit. And when the system control means causes the modulation transmission unit to transmit a group formation signal / group integration signal on the common channel by the command transmission means or receives a group formation signal / group integration signal transmitted by another wireless communication terminal by the sub-reception demodulation unit, the modulation transmission unit and the first and second muting means are controlled as follows according to the signal. (1) When it is a group formation signal, a first control state is set in which the modulation transmission unit is set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, the first muting means is set to the non-mute state, and the second muting means is set to the mute state. (2) When it is a group integration signal, set the modulation transmission unit to the common channel, and set the first muting means to the mute state and the second muting means to the non-mute state to obtain a second control state.

[0017] As a result, when all the wireless communication terminals in the network are in the first control state, at each terminal, only the communication voice of the group channel is reproduced in the reception mode, and the input voice of the own device is transmitted on the group channel in the transmission mode. Thus, a group formation state is configured for the entire network. On the other hand, when all the wireless communication terminals in the network are in the second control state, at each terminal, only the communication voice of the common channel is reproduced in the reception mode, and the input voice of the own device is transmitted on the common channel in the transmission mode. Thus, a group integration state is configured for the entire network.

[0018] The wireless communication terminal of the present invention constitutes a network related to the wireless communication network system, and includes a modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel or the common channel of the group to which the own device belongs, a main reception demodulation unit set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, a sub-reception demodulation unit set to the common channel, first muting means controlled to be in a mute state or a non-mute state with respect to the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit, and the sub-reception demodulation unit Outputsecond muting means controlled to a mute state or a non-mute state with respect to the force signal, signal combining means for combining the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputting the combined signal to the audio reproduction means, and in a transmission mode, generating a group formation signal or a group integration signal in response to a selection instruction input from the operation means, and a command transmission means for setting the modulation transmission unit to the common channel and transmitting the generated signal, and when the command transmission means transmits the group formation signal or when the group formation signal is received by the sub-reception demodulation unit, setting the modulation transmission unit to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, setting the first muting means to the non-mute state, and setting the second muting means to the mute state, while when the command transmission means transmits the group integration signal or when the group integration signal is received by the sub-reception demodulation unit, setting the modulation transmission unit to the common channel and setting the first muting means to the mute state and setting the second muting means to the non-mute state, and system control means for setting the second control state.

[0019] In each wireless communication terminal according to the wireless communication network system of the present invention, when the command transmission means receives an instruction input, when the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group formation signal although in the first control state or when the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group integration signal although in the second control state, it is desirable that the command transmission means treats the instruction input as invalid. This is because if a group formation signal or a group integration signal is transmitted as it is based on an incorrect instruction input, not only the own device but also other wireless communication terminals will have their current modulation transmission units and the states of each muting means reset, which will impose unnecessary operations.

[0020] In each wireless communication terminal according to the wireless communication network system of the present invention, a display means or an indicator lamp is provided, and based on whether the own device is in either the first or second control state, whether the network is in either the group formation state or the group integration state is notified by the display content of the display means or the turning off / on of the indicator lamp. It is desirable to be able to do so. It enables the user of each wireless communication terminal to easily confirm the current network state and is also effective in eliminating errors in instruction input to the command transmission means.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] The present invention enables easy switching and setting at any timing from each wireless communication terminal between a network state (group formation state) in which there are multiple groups of single-hop communication and a network state (group integration state) in which groups are integrated and communication between wireless communication terminals in the network by single-hop is possible, providing convenience in wireless communication connection networks in various business fields. Each wireless communication terminal constituting the network is different from the normal configuration only in that, in addition to a pair of modulation transmission units and a main reception demodulation unit, one additional sub-reception demodulation unit is added, and muting means and a signal synthesis unit for the output signals of each reception demodulation unit are provided. Therefore, those with the same specifications can be applied. On the other hand, in terms of software, since only the group channels are different and the control sequence can be shared, there is also the advantage that the construction as a network system is relatively easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the wireless communication network system and the wireless communication terminal of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment assumes a network in which there are three groups of wireless communication terminals that communicate in a single - to - single manner using one channel, and there are three sets of such groups using different channels. It relates to a wireless communication network system that can switch between the group formation state and the group integration state in which all wireless communication terminals in the network execute single - to - single communication using a common channel. However, here, three groups are denoted as G1, G2, and G3, the group channels used in each group are chA, chB, and chC, and the common channel used in the integrated group state is chZ.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the hardware configuration of each wireless communication terminal in the network. 10 is an antenna, RX1 is a main reception demodulation unit, RX2 is a sub-reception demodulation unit, 11 and 12 are muting units, 13 is a signal combining unit, 14 is an amplifier, 15 is a speaker (or earphone), 16 is a microphone, 17 is an amplifier, TX is a modulation transmission unit, 20 is a system control unit, 21 is an operation unit, 22 is a display unit, and 23 is an indicator.

[0025] In the figure, looking at the reception system, the reception signal at antenna 10 is input to the main reception demodulation unit RX1 and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2, and the output demodulation signals of the respective reception demodulation units RX1 and RX2 are input to the signal combining unit 13 via the respective muting units 11 and 12. The output signal of the signal combining unit 13 is amplified by the amplifier 14 and voice is reproduced by the speaker (or earphone) 15. Also, for the transmission system, the input signal from the microphone 16 is input to the modulation transmission unit TX via the amplifier 17. In the modulation transmission unit TX, the carrier signal of the set channel is modulated by the input signal, and the modulated signal is power-amplified and transmitted from the antenna (shared with the reception system) 10.

[0026] And the entire system as a wireless communication terminal including the reception / transmission 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, controls the respective reception demodulation units RX1 and RX2, the modulation transmission unit TX, the respective muting units 11 and 12, and the respective amplifiers 14 and 17, and causes the display unit 22 to display various information related to the communication state, and also notifies the group formation / integration state by the turning off / on of the indicator lamp 23.

[0027] In the wireless communication terminal according to this embodiment, the system control unit 20 fixedly sets the main reception demodulation unit RX1 to channels chA / chB / chC corresponding to the affiliated group and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 to the common channel chZ in advance according to an instruction input from the operation unit 21. For the modulation transmission unit TX, the channels chA / chB / chC corresponding to the affiliated group and the common channel chZ are switched in the operation process of the network.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a network schematic diagram in the group formation state. Three wireless communication terminals (31, 32, 33), (41, 42, 43), and (51, 52, 53) belong to three groups G1, G2, and G3 respectively. In group G1, group communication is performed by a single communication method using channel chA, in group G2, channel chB is used, and in group G3, channel chC is used.

[0029] In that case, each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33 in group G1 sets the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 to the group channel chA and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 to the common channel chZ. Each of the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, 43 in group G2 sets the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 to the group channel chB and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 to the common channel chZ. Each of the wireless communication terminals 51, 52, 53 in group G3 sets the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 to the group channel chC and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 to the common channel chZ, and the muting unit 11 is set to the non-mute state and the muting unit 12 is set to the mute state respectively. Therefore, only the demodulation signals related to the group channels chA / chB / chC of the group to which the own device belongs are reproduced by the speaker 15 via the signal synthesizing unit 13 in each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53. Combined with the fact that the modulation transmission unit TX is set to the group channel, the group formation state enables independent group communication in each of the groups G1, G2, and G3.

[0030] In Fig. 2, in group G1, the wireless communication terminal 31 is the transmitting terminal, in group G2, the wireless communication terminal 41 is the transmitting terminal, and in group G3, the wireless communication terminal 51 is the transmitting terminal. Of course, any wireless communication terminal within each group may be the transmitting terminal. When a wireless communication terminal becomes the transmitting terminal, the main reception demodulation unit RX1 set to the same channel as the transmission channel of the modulation transmission unit TX is controlled to the OFF state.

[0031] Taking the above group formation state as the initial state, the operation procedures of each wireless communication terminal that enable the network to be switched between the group integration state and the group formation state as needed are shown for each of the wireless communication terminals (31, 32, 33), (41, 42, 43), (51, 52, 53) belonging to each of the groups G1, G2, G3 as in the flowcharts of Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Regarding the operation procedures of each figure related to this wireless communication terminal, the basic flow is the same regardless of the group. However, since the group channels chA / chB / chC are different in each of the groups G1, G2, G3, this is the only difference.

[0032] In the operation procedure (Fig. 3) for the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33 in group G1, first, the network is in the group formation state. As described above, each modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the group channel chA, and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the common channel chZ. The muting unit 11 is in the non-muted state, and the muting unit 12 is in the muted state. In this state, the system control unit 20 constantly checks whether an operation instruction signal for group integration is detected by the operation unit 21 of its own device (S1), whether a demodulated signal is detected when the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 receives a group integration signal transmitted by another device (S2), whether an operation instruction signal for group formation is detected by the operation unit 21 of its own device (S3), and whether a demodulated signal is detected when the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 receives a group formation signal transmitted by another device (S4).

[0033] Here, when a command signal related to group integration is detected by an operation on the operation unit 21 of the own device (S1), the system control unit 20 checks that the muting unit 11 of the own device is in the mute state and the muting unit 12 is not in the non-mute state (not in the group integration state setting), and then switches the modulation transmission unit TX from the group channel chA to the common channel chZ. At the same time, the group integration code stored in the built-in memory in advance is read out to the modulation transmission unit TX, and the carrier of the common channel chZ is modulated with the same code to transmit a group integration signal (S1→S5, S6).

[0034] On the other hand, when the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 receives and demodulates a group integration signal transmitted by another device, and the demodulated signal matches the group integration code stored in the built-in memory (S2), the system control unit 20 switches the modulation transmission unit TX from the group channel chA to the common channel chZ in advance (S2→S7).

[0035] And in any case, the system control unit 20 switches the muting unit 11 from the non-mute state to the mute state and the muting unit 12 from the mute state to the non-mute state respectively, so as to correspond to the transition of the network from the group formation state to the group integration state (S6 / S7→S8). In addition, when the above procedures are completed, the system control unit 20 turns on the indicator lamp 23 to notify that the network has entered the group integration state (S9).

[0036] The operation procedures [(S1→S5,S6) / (S2→S7)→S8,S9)] of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 belonging to group G1 in FIG. 3, when viewed in terms of the wireless communication terminals (41, 42, 43) and (51, 52, 53) belonging to other groups G2 and G3, correspond to the operation procedures shown in steps [(S21→S25,S26) / (S22→S27)→S28,S29] in FIG. 4 and steps [(S41→S45,S46) / (S42→S47)→S48,S49] in FIG. 5, and are basically the same. However, since FIG. 3 pertains to the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 of group G1, the group channel to be switched to the common channel chZ is chA, whereas in FIGS. 4 and 5, since they pertain to the wireless communication terminals (41, 42, 43) and (51, 52, 53) of groups G2 and G3, the switching targets are chB and chC, which is a difference.

[0037] Therefore, in all the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, and 53 in the network, it remains unchanged that the modulation transmission unit TX switches to the common channel chZ, the main reception demodulation unit RX1 is on the group channel (chA / chB / chC), and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 is on the common channel chZ. However, the muting unit 11 switches to the mute state, and the muting unit 12 switches to the non-mute state.

[0038] In that case, the modulation transmission unit TX is set to the common channel chZ, and due to the above control of the muting units 11 and 12, the signal received and demodulated by the main reception demodulation unit RX1 on the group channel (chA / chB / chC) is not output to the signal synthesis unit 13. Only the signal received and demodulated by the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 on the common channel chZ is reproduced as sound by the speaker 15 via the signal synthesis unit 13. Thus, in the group integration state, all the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, and 53 in the network can communicate by the single-signal method using the common channel chZ (FIG. 3: S10, FIG. 4: S30, FIG. 5: S50).

[0039] When the network configuration related to the transition from the above group formation state to the group integration state is shown in a schematic diagram, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the wireless communication terminal 31 belonging to group G1 switches the modulation transmission unit TX from the group channel chA to the common channel chZ and transmits a group integration signal, the other wireless communication terminals 32 and 33 of group G1 and the wireless communication terminals (41, 42, 43) and (51, 52, 53) of groups G2 and G3 receive the signal by the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2, and the modulation transmission unit TX and the muting units 11 and 12 are switched to the above state. Also, in the wireless communication terminal 31 that is the transmission source of the group integration signal, a similar state is configured with the transmission event. Therefore, the network becomes the group integration state as shown in FIG. 7. Note that FIG. 7 shows a case where the wireless communication terminal 31 that has transmitted the group integration signal also serves as a transmission terminal and transmits an audio signal.

[0040] Next, when the network is in the group integration state and a command signal related to group formation is detected by an operation on the operation unit 21 of the own device (S3), the system control unit 20 checks that the muting unit 11 of the own device is in the non-mute state and the muting unit 12 is not in the mute state (not set to the group formation state), reads out the group formation code stored in the built-in memory in advance to the modulation transmission unit TX, modulates the carrier of the common channel chZ with the same code, and transmits a group formation signal (S3 → S11, S12). This is the same as in the case of step S1 above, except for the difference between the group integration signal and the group formation signal. However, in this case, further, after the modulation transmission unit TX transmits the group formation signal on the common channel chZ, the set channel is switched from the common channel chZ to the group channel chA of the group to which the own device belongs (S12).

[0041] On one hand, when the system control unit 20 demodulates the group formation number received by the sub-receiver demodulation unit RX2 due to the transmission of another device, and the demodulated signal matches the group formation code stored in the built-in memory (S4), the modulation transmission unit TX is switched from the common channel chZ to the group channel chA (S4→S13).

[0042] And in any case, the system control unit 20 switches the muting unit 11 from the mute state to the non-mute state and the muting unit 12 from the non-mute state to the mute state, respectively, to correspond to the transition from the group integration state to the group formation state of the network (S12 / S13→S14). Also, when that procedure is completed, the system control unit 20 turns off the indicator lamp 23 to notify that the network has entered the group formation state (S15).

[0043] The operation procedures [(S3→S11,S12) / (S4→S13)→S14,S15)] of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33 belonging to the group G1 in FIG. 3, when viewed in terms of the wireless communication terminals (41, 42, 43), (51, 52, 53) belonging to other groups G2, G3, correspond to the operation procedures shown in the steps [(S23→S31,S32) / (S24→S33)→S34,S35] in FIG. 4 and the steps [(S43→S51,S52) / (S44→S53)→S54,S55] in FIG. 5, and are basically the same. However, since FIG. 3 relates to the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33 of the group G1, the group channel that is the switching destination from the common channel chZ is chA, whereas in FIGS. 4 and 5, since they relate to the wireless communication terminals (41, 42, 43), (51, 52, 53) of the groups G2, G3, the switching destinations are chB and chC, which is different in this regard.

[0044] Therefore, in the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 belonging to group G1, the modulation transmission unit TX returns from the common channel chZ to the group channel chA. In the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 belonging to group G2, the modulation transmission unit TX returns from the common channel chZ to the group channel chB. In the wireless communication terminals 51, 52, and 53 belonging to group G3, the modulation transmission unit TX returns from the common channel chZ to the group channel chC. At the same time, the muting unit 11 in each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, and 53 is switched to the non-mute state, and the muting unit 12 is switched to the mute state. However, it remains unchanged that the main reception demodulation unit RX1 operates on the group channel (chA / chB / chC) of the group to which the own device belongs, and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 operates on the common channel chZ.

[0045] To summarize, in each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, and 33 of group G1, the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the group channel chA, and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the common channel chZ. In each of the wireless communication terminals 41, 42, and 43 of group G2, the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the group channel chB, and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the common channel chZ. In each of the wireless communication terminals 51, 52, and 53 of group G3, the modulation transmission unit TX and the main reception demodulation unit RX1 are set to the group channel chC, and the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2 is set to the common channel chZ. At the same time, each muting unit 11 is set to the non-mute state, and the muting unit 12 is set to the mute state. Therefore, the network returns to the group formation state shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] As a result, among the voice signals received and demodulated by each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, only the demodulated signals at the main reception demodulation unit RX1 related to the group channels chA, chB, chC of the group to which each terminal belongs are reproduced as voice by the speaker 15 via the signal synthesis unit 13. In addition to the modulation transmission unit TX being set to the group channels chA, chB, chC, independent group communication is possible in each of the groups G1, G2, G3 (FIG. 3: S16, FIG. 4: S36, FIG. 5: S56).

[0047] When the network configuration related to the transition from the group integration state to the group formation state is shown in a schematic diagram, for example, when the wireless communication terminal 52 (belonging to the group G3 in the group formation state) transmits a group formation signal on the common channel chZ in the group integration state as shown in FIG. 8, the other wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 53 in the network receive the group formation signal by the sub-reception demodulation unit RX2, and each switches the modulation transmission unit TX from the common channel chZ to the group channels chA, chB, chC of the group G1, G2, G3 to which it belongs as described above, and controls each muting unit 11, 12 to a setting state opposite to that in the group integration state. Also, for the wireless communication terminal 52 that has become the transmission source of the group formation signal, after the transmission, the modulation transmission unit TX is switched to the group channel chC of the group G3, and each muting unit 11, 12 is similarly controlled to the opposite setting state, so that it returns to the group formation state of FIG. 2.

[0048] From the above, the users of each of the wireless communication terminals 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53 in the network can immediately switch the network configuration by simply performing an instruction operation from the operation unit 21 at an arbitrary timing, sending a group integration signal when in the group formation state (FIG. 2) and sending a group formation signal when in the group integration state (FIG. 7). In addition, since the output of the received playback sound is switched by the control of each muting unit 11, 12 in the group formation state and the group integration state, there is an advantage that no switching sound is mixed into the playback sound as in the case of switching by a switching circuit.

Industrial Applicability

[0049] The present invention can be applied to a network system that switches between a group formation state and a group integration state in a network of a business-use wireless communication terminal and a wireless communication terminal that realizes the same.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 10… Antenna, RX1… Main reception demodulation unit, RX2… Sub-reception demodulation unit, 11, 12… Muting units, 13… Signal synthesis unit, 14… Amplifier, 15… Speaker (or earphone), 16… Microphone, 17… Amplifier, TX… Modulation transmission unit, 20… System control unit, 21… Operation unit, 22… Display unit, 23… Indicator lamp, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203… Wireless communication terminals.

Claims

1. In a network capable of taking a group formation state in which a plurality of groups of wireless communication terminals communicate in a single - carrier mode using one channel (hereinafter referred to as a "group channel") exist with different group channels, and a group integration state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to all the groups communicate in a single - carrier mode using a common channel, the wireless communication terminal includes: a modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel or the common channel of the group to which the own device belongs; a main reception demodulation unit set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs; a sub - reception demodulation unit set to the common channel; a first muting means controlled to be in a mute state or a non - mute state with respect to the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit; a second muting means controlled to be in a mute state or a non - mute state with respect to the output signal of the sub - reception demodulation unit; a signal synthesis means for synthesizing the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputting them to an audio reproduction means; in a transmission mode, a command transmission means for generating a group formation signal or a group integration signal according to a selection instruction input from an operation means, setting the modulation transmission unit to the common channel, and transmitting the generated signal; and a system control means for setting the modulation transmission unit to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs, setting the first muting means to the non - mute state, and setting the second muting means to the mute state when the command transmission means transmits the group formation signal or the sub - reception demodulation unit receives the group formation signal, while setting the modulation transmission unit to the common channel, setting the first muting means to the mute state, and setting the second muting means to the non - mute state when the command transmission means transmits the group integration signal or the sub - reception demodulation unit receives the group integration signal. When any of the wireless communication terminals in the network transmits the group formation signal by an instruction input from the operation means, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the first control state to form the group formation state. When the group integration signal is transmitted, all of the wireless communication terminals in the network enter the second control state to form the group integration state. A wireless communication network system characterized by the above.

2. In each of the wireless communication terminals, when the command transmission means receives an instruction input, if the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group formation signal despite being in the first control state or if the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group integration signal despite being in the second control state, the command transmission means shall handle the instruction input as invalid. The wireless communication network system according to claim 1.

3. Each of the wireless communication terminals includes a display means or an indicator lamp, and based on whether the own device is in the first or second control state, whether the network is in the group formation state or the group integration state is notified by the display content of the display means or the extinguishing / lighting of the indicator lamp. The wireless communication network system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A wireless communication terminal applicable to a network capable of taking a group formation state in which a plurality of groups each having a plurality of wireless communication terminals communicating in a single - signal mode using one channel exist with different channels (hereinafter referred to as "group channels"), and a group integration state in which all wireless communication terminals belonging to all the groups communicate in a single - signal mode using a common channel, A modulation transmission unit selectively set to the group channel or the common channel of the group to which the own device belongs; A main reception demodulation unit set to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs; A sub - reception demodulation unit set to the common channel; First muting means controlled to be in a mute state or a non - mute state with respect to the output signal of the main reception demodulation unit; Second muting means controlled to be in a mute state or a non - mute state with respect to the output signal of the sub - reception demodulation unit; signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the output signals of the first and second muting means and outputting the synthesized signals to the audio reproducing means; command transmitting means for generating a group composition signal or a group integration signal in response to a selection instruction input from the operation means in the transmission mode, and setting the modulation transmission section to the common channel to transmit the generated signal; system control means for setting the modulation transmission section to the group channel of the group to which the own device belongs and setting the first muting means to the non-mute state and the second muting means to the mute state when the command transmitting means transmits the group composition signal or when the sub-receiving demodulating section receives the group composition signal, and setting the modulation transmission section to the common channel and setting the first muting means to the mute state and the second muting means to the non-mute state when the command transmitting means transmits the group integration signal or when the sub-receiving demodulating section receives the group integration signal; A wireless communication terminal characterized by comprising the above.

5. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein when the command transmitting means receives an instruction input, and the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group composition signal despite being in the first control state or the instruction input is related to the transmission of the group integration signal despite being in the second control state, the command transmitting means treats the instruction input as invalid.

6. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising display means or an indicator lamp, and notifying whether the network is in the group composition state or the group integration state based on whether the own device is in the first or second control state by the display content of the display means or the turning off / on of the indicator lamp.

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