wireless communication device

Abstract

To enable a user to smoothly make a call using half-duplex communication.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device includes: a transmitting unit that transmits a user's utterance to another wireless communication device using half-duplex communication; a notification unit that notifies the user of a specific point in time after completion of the user's utterance transmitted by the transmitting unit; and a receiving unit that receives audio from the other wireless communication device using half-duplex communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for conducting calls in half-duplex communication using radio waves on a specific channel (channel, frequency) in business radios such as police radios has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This technology is also called push-to-talk or simplex communication. With this technology, for example, speech when a specific button (e.g., a PTT (Push to Talk) button) is pressed and held down is transmitted to the other party. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6861861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, compared to when multiple users gather together and talk directly (actual conversation) without using wireless communication devices, etc., it takes a long time from when a first user speaks until a response voice from a second user, who is the call partner, is output from the speaker of the first user's wireless communication device. Therefore, it may be difficult to conduct a call smoothly in half-duplex communication.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device that allows a user to smoothly carry out half-duplex communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device is provided that has a transmitting unit that transmits a user's speech to another wireless communication device via half-duplex communication, a notification unit that notifies the user of a specific point in time after the user's speech transmitted by the transmitting unit is completed, and a receiving unit that receives audio from the other wireless communication device via half-duplex communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to enable a user to smoothly carry out a call in half-duplex communication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standby time length DB (database) according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of timing of notification and output content from a speaker according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The principles of the present invention will be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It will be understood that these embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposes only, to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the invention, without suggesting any limitation on the scope of the invention. The invention described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described below. In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <System configuration> The configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a wireless communication device 10A, a wireless communication device 10B, a wireless communication device 10C, a wireless communication device 10D, and so on (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be simply referred to as "wireless communication devices 10"). The wireless communication system 1 also includes a relay device (repeater) 20. Note that the number of wireless communication devices 10 and relay devices 20 is not limited to the example of FIG. 1. Also, the relay device 20 is not essential.

[0011] The wireless communication device 10 is a terminal (push-to-talk terminal, specified low-power transceiver) that performs half-duplex communication using a dedicated radio (business radio) for transmitting business information, such as a police radio, a fire department radio, a disaster prevention radio, a railway radio, a ship radio, or a defense radio. Note that half-duplex communication, in which communication is performed alternately using a transmission channel and a reception channel via a relay device 20, is also called semi-duplex. Note that half-duplex communication on a predetermined channel that is performed directly between multiple wireless communication devices 10 without the use of a relay device 20 is also called simplex.

[0012] The wireless communication device 10 may be used, for example, by police, fire departments, emergency services, government agencies, disaster relief, mountain rescue, coast guard, taxi operators, truck operators, etc. The wireless communication device 10 may intermittently receive (scan) each of a predetermined number of channels, receive an audio signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 10 on one of the plurality of channels, and output the audio signal from a speaker.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may modulate and transmit a sound signal, such as the user's voice collected by a microphone, on one of the multiple channels corresponding to a number designated (selected) by the user. The number may be a number that designates one call partner. The number may also be a number that designates a group including multiple call partners. When a group number that includes multiple call partners is designated, the sound, such as the user's voice collected by the microphone, is simultaneously transmitted (broadcast) to the multiple call partners.

[0014] The wireless communication device 10 may be, for example, a portable wireless communication device carried by a user, such as wireless communication devices 10A to 10C shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the wireless communication device 10 may have a microphone and a speaker at a position where the wireless communication device 10 can be held in the user's hand and used for communication, similar to a mobile phone. The wireless communication device 10 may also be secured to the user's belt or the like with a clip or the like, or may be housed in a shoulder holder or the like and worn from the shoulder. In this case, the wireless communication device 10 may have a speaker microphone or the like so that the user can use the wireless communication device 10 for communication without holding it in their hand.

[0015] 1, the wireless communication device 10 may be an on-board (vehicle-mounted) wireless communication device mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle or a ship. In this case, the wireless communication device 10 may have a microphone that the user can hold in their hand when transmitting speech. The wireless communication device 10 may also have a function (hands-free function, VOX function) that transmits voice without pressing a PTT (Push-To-Talk) button when detecting a sound above a predetermined volume, and may also have a headset or stand microphone, etc., to enable hands-free communication.

[0016] The relay device 20 relays radio waves received from one wireless communication device 10 to another wireless communication device 10. Note that the relay device 20 may convert radio waves received on a certain channel (a channel for transmitting voice) to another channel (a channel for receiving voice) and relay the converted radio waves.

[0017] <Hardware configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 100 of a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 2, the computer 100 of the wireless communication device 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication interface 103. These components may be connected via a bus or the like. The memory 102 stores at least a portion of a program 104. The communication interface 103 includes an interface required for communication with other network elements.

[0018] When the program 104 is executed by the processor 101, memory 102, and other components in cooperation with each other, the computer 100 performs at least some of the processing of the embodiments of the present invention. The memory 102 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network. The memory 102 may be, by way of non-limiting example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 102 may also be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. While only one memory 102 is shown in the computer 100, several physically distinct memory modules may be present in the computer 100. The processor 101 may be of any type. The processor 101 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and, by way of non-limiting example, a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The computer 100 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device.

[0020] The present invention also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, that execute on a target real or virtual processor or device to perform the processes or methods of the present invention. Program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed in local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0021] The program code for executing the methods of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. When the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / acts in the flowcharts and / or implementing block diagrams are performed. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0022] The program can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks. Optical disk media include, for example, Blu-ray discs, CD (Compact Disc)-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs (Recordable), and CD-RWs (Rewritable). Semiconductor memory includes, for example, solid-state drives, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory). The program may also be provided to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0023] <Configuration> The configuration of the wireless communication device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication device 10 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 3, the wireless communication device 10 has a transmitting unit 11, a notifying unit 12, and a receiving unit 13. Each of these units may be realized by cooperation between one or more programs installed in the wireless communication device 10 and hardware such as a processor 101 and a memory 102 of the wireless communication device 10.

[0024] The transmitter 11 transmits the user's speech to the other wireless communication device 10 by half-duplex communication. The notifier 12 notifies a specific point in time after the user's speech transmitted by the transmitter 11 is completed. The receiver 13 receives the voice from the other wireless communication device 10 by half-duplex communication.

[0025] <Processing> Next, an example of processing of the wireless communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the wireless communication system 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a standby time length DB (database) 501 according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of timing related to notification and output contents from a speaker according to the embodiment.

[0026] The order of the following processes may be changed as appropriate. For example, the processes of steps S3, S4, and S6 in the wireless communication device 10A and the processes of steps S2 and S5 in the wireless communication device 10B may be executed in parallel (asynchronously). Furthermore, at least some of the following processes may be omitted.

[0027] In the following, a case where user A of wireless communication device 10A speaks to user B of wireless communication device 10B (an example of "another wireless communication device") and then receives voice from user B will be described as an example.

[0028] In step S1, the transmitter 11 of the wireless communication device 10A transmits the speech of the user A to the wireless communication device 10B by half-duplex communication. Here, the transmitter 11 may transmit the sound collected by the microphone of the wireless communication device 10A on a channel designated by the user A, for example, while a predetermined button (PTT button) provided on the housing or the like of the wireless communication device 10A is pressed and held down. Note that the channel designated by the user A may be designated by the transmitter 11, for example, by inputting a number of a predetermined number of digits (for example, three digits) corresponding to the user B.

[0029] In addition, the transmitting unit 11 may execute transmission on the specified channel while the specified button is pressed, and stop transmission on the channel when the pressing of the specified button is stopped (released).

[0030] Next, the wireless communication device 10B outputs the received voice of user A from the speaker (step S2). Next, the notification unit 12 of the wireless communication device 10A detects that the speech of user A transmitted by the transmission unit 11 has been completed (step S3). Here, the notification unit 12 may determine that the speech of user A has been completed, for example, when the pressing of the predetermined button has stopped. Alternatively, the notification unit 12 may determine that the speech of user A has been completed, for example, when the voice of user A is no longer detected. In this case, the notification unit 12 may determine that the voice of user A has been no longer detected, for example, when the volume (sound pressure) of the sound collected by the microphone remains equal to or lower than a threshold for a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.1 seconds). Alternatively, the notification unit 12 may determine (estimate, infer) that the speech of user A has been completed, based on the content of the speech of user A, using, for example, AI (Artificial Intelligence).

[0031] Next, the notification unit 12 of the wireless communication device 10A determines the time length from the end of user A's speech to the specific time point to be notified (step S4). Here, the notification unit 12 may, for example, set the time length t1 from the notification of the specific time point to the reception of the voice of user B to be approximately the same as the time length t2 (e.g., 100 ms) from the end of user A's speech to the start of user B's speech in an actual conversation (until user A hears the voice from user B). Note that the actual conversation refers to a direct conversation between user A and user B meeting together without using the wireless communication device 10 or the like. Note that in this case, the time point 300 ms or the like after user A's speech is notified, and the reception of the voice from user B begins 100 ms or the like after the notification. This allows user A to smoothly communicate in half-duplex communication. For example, by assuming that user B has finished listening to user A's speech at the specific time when user A is notified, user A will start listening to user B's speech after 100 ms or so has elapsed since that time, the same as in an actual conversation, allowing user A to smoothly carry out a half-duplex call.

[0032] Below, we will explain each method for determining the length of time from the completion of user A's speech to the specific time point to be notified. Note that the notification unit 12 may use an appropriate combination of the following methods. In this case, the notification unit 12 may determine, for example, the average or weighted average of the values ​​calculated by the following methods as the length of time from the completion of user A's speech to the specific time point to be notified.

[0033] ((Example using default values)) The notification unit 12 may determine, as the length of time until the specific point in time to be notified, a value (e.g., 300 ms) that is preset in the wireless communication device 10A by the manufacturer of the wireless communication device 10A or by user A. In this case, the length of time may be set to a value that takes into consideration, for example, the total value of the delay in communication from the wireless communication device 10A to the wireless communication device 10B, the time required by user B to perform a transmission operation in half-duplex communication, such as pressing a PTT button, and the delay in communication from the wireless communication device 10B to the wireless communication device 10A.

[0034] In addition, the notification unit 12 may determine a value (e.g., 290 ms for user B, 310 ms for user C, etc.) that is preset by user A for each call partner (each number that identifies the call partner) as the length of time until the specific point in time to be notified.

[0035] ((Example of decision based on actual performance)) Furthermore, the notification unit 12 may determine the length of time from the completion of user A's speech to a specific time point in accordance with the length of time (standby time) from the completion of speech in the previous half-duplex communication call to the start of call reception. In this case, the notification unit 12 may determine the length of time from the completion of user A's speech to a specific time point in accordance with the length of standby time in the previous half-duplex communication call for each call partner. In this case, the notification unit 12 may record the length of standby time in the previous half-duplex communication call for each call partner as an actual value in the standby time length DB 501. In the example of FIG. 5, the standby time length is recorded in association with a pair of a number and a speech completion date and time. The number is a number that identifies the call partner specified by user A. The standby time length DB 501 may be recorded in a storage device internal to the wireless communication device 10A or in a storage device external to the wireless communication device 10B (for example, a cloud).

[0036] The notification unit 12 may refer to the waiting time length DB 501 and determine the length of time from when user A completes speaking to the specific point in time based on a representative value (such as an average value, a mode, or a median) of waiting time lengths associated with the number of user B. In this case, the notification unit 12 may calculate a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined time (for example, 100 ms) from the representative value as the length of time from when user A completes speaking to the specific point in time. Note that the value of the predetermined time may be set in advance in the wireless communication device 10A by the manufacturer of the wireless communication device 10A or by user A, taking into consideration a time length t2 from when one user completes speaking to when another user speaks in an actual conversation.

[0037] ((Example of determining based on the type of talk operation)) The notification unit 12 may determine the length of time from the completion of the speech of the user A to a specific point in time according to the type of speech transmission operation of the wireless communication device 10B. This makes it possible to appropriately estimate, for example, the length of time required for the other party to respond.

[0038] In this case, information indicating the type of the talk operation of the wireless communication device 10 for each call partner may be registered in an internal or external storage device of the wireless communication device 10A by the user A. Alternatively, for example, the notification unit 12 may obtain information indicating the type of the talk operation of the wireless communication device 10B from the wireless communication device 10B by the receiving unit 13.

[0039] The information indicating the type of talk-transmitting operation of the wireless communication device 10 may include at least one of the following: information indicating whether the wireless communication device 10 is portable or mounted (vehicle-mounted); information indicating the position where the portable wireless communication device 10 is worn (such as on the chest or waist where the user's voice can be easily heard); information indicating whether the device is housed in a shoulder-mounted holder (cable); information indicating whether a speaker microphone with a PTT button is connected; and information indicating whether a hands-free function is activated. It is estimated that the time required by the user to perform a half-duplex communication transmission operation, such as pressing the PTT button, will differ depending on the type of talk-transmitting operation. For example, if the portable wireless communication device 10 is secured to the user's waist with a clip or the like, the user will press the PTT button or the like after removing the wireless communication device 10 from the clip. This is estimated to take longer than when the wireless communication device 10 is worn at the user's chest and the user presses the PTT button or the like without removing the wireless communication device 10.

[0040] Next, the wireless communication device 10B receives from user B an operation to start speaking to user A (step S5). Here, the wireless communication device 10B may receive, for example, an operation of pressing and holding a predetermined button (PTT button) provided on the housing or the like of the wireless communication device 10B.

[0041] Next, the notification unit 12 of the wireless communication device 10A notifies a specific time point after the completion of the user A's speech transmitted by the transmission unit 11 (step S6). Here, the notification unit 12 may notify the specific time point by, for example, at least a part of the user A's speech, a specific sound (sound effect), vibration, or at least one of a display.

[0042] When notifying with at least a part of user A's speech, the notification unit 12 may record user A's speech during the process of step S1. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 , the notification unit 12 may output, from a speaker at the specific time, at least the speech of user A (recorded user A's speech) transmitted by the transmission unit 11 at the completion of the speech. This allows the wireless communication device 10A performing half-duplex communication to output a sound similar to at least a part of an echo (wraparound) in a call using full-duplex communication, such as a mobile phone or a landline. In this case, the notification unit 12 may, for example, extract and output a portion of the recorded speech of user A from a point a specific time S has elapsed from the beginning to the end. In this case, the notification unit 12 may, for example, calculate the specific time S based on the following formula (1). Here, T1 may be the length of time of user A's recording, and T2 may be the length of time from the end of user A's speech to the specific time to be notified. S = T1 - T2 (1)

[0043] 6 shows the processing in the wireless communication device 10A at each time point. In the example of FIG. 6, at time point t 61 At time t, the PTT button is pressed and held, and sound transmission begins. 62 From time t 63 During this time, the microphone picks up the speech of user A saying "Rush to point X" and transmits and records it.

[0044] Then, at the time t when user A finishes speaking, 63 from the specific time t 64 During this time, the speech at the time of completion is recorded at the specific time t 64 At a specific time t 64 Time t2 has elapsed since 65 At this time, the call from user B is started. The voice at the time of completion of the call is recorded at the specific time t 64 By adjusting the time to complete the output, user B can receive user A's utterance at time t 64If the communication is completed at a specific time t, user A can easily assume this, and as described above, user A can smoothly carry out a call in half-duplex communication. 64 By outputting at least a part of the recorded utterance from user A from the speaker so that the output is completed at a specific time t 64 This can be notified to user A.

[0045] Next, wireless communication device 10B transmits the speech of user B to wireless communication device 10A by half-duplex communication (step S7). Next, receiving unit 13 of wireless communication device 10A receives the voice from wireless communication device 10B by half-duplex communication and outputs it from the speaker of wireless communication device 10A (step S8). This enables a call between user A and user B by half-duplex communication.

[0046] <Example of sending a message to multiple parties> In the above example, a case has been described in which user A makes a one-to-one call with user B. Below, a case will be described in which user A makes a group call with multiple users B to D. In this case, in step S1 of FIG. 4, the transmitter 11 may simultaneously transmit the speech of user A to multiple parties in half-duplex communication.

[0047] 4, the notification unit 12 may determine the length of time from the completion of user A's speech to the specific time point to be notified, depending on the party that responds earliest among the multiple parties included in the group. In this case, the notification unit 12 may, for example, calculate the length of time for each user included in the multiple parties using the above-mentioned method. Then, the notification unit 12 may, for example, determine the shortest (smallest) length of time from the completion of user A's speech to the specific time point to be notified as the length of time.

[0048] Furthermore, the notification unit 12 may determine the length of time from when user A's speech ends until the specific time point that is the target of notification, depending on the user of a predetermined rank among the multiple users included in the group. This allows the notification to be made at a timing that is appropriate for receiving a call from, for example, a user of a commander rank included in the group. In this case, the notification unit 12 may, for example, calculate the length of time for each user of a predetermined rank among the multiple users using the above-mentioned method. Then, the notification unit 12 may, for example, determine the calculated length of time as the length of time from when user A's speech ends until the specific time point that is the target of notification.

[0049] <Modification> The wireless communication device 10 may be a device contained in a single housing, but the wireless communication device 10 of the present invention is not limited to this. Each unit of the wireless communication device 10 may be realized by cloud computing consisting of one or more computers, for example. Such wireless communication devices are also included as examples of the "wireless communication device" of the present invention.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Wireless communication systems 10. Wireless communication devices 11 Transmitter 12. Information Department 13 Receiving unit

Claims

1. a transmitting unit that transmits a user's speech to another wireless communication device by half-duplex communication; a notification unit that notifies the user of a specific time point after the user's speech transmitted by the transmission unit is completed; a receiving unit that receives audio from the other wireless communication device in half-duplex communication; and the notification unit determines a specific time point at which a time length from the specific time point until a voice from the user of the other wireless communication device is received is approximately the same as a time length from the completion of an utterance by the user in an actual conversation until a voice from the user of the other wireless communication device is uttered. Wireless communication device.

2. the notification unit outputs the voice transmitted by the transmission unit when the user's speech is completed so that the output is completed at the specific time point. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. The notification unit determines the specific time point after the completion of the second utterance of the user, which is transmitted by the transmission unit, according to a time length from when the first utterance of the user is transmitted by the transmission unit to when the voice of the other party is received by the reception unit.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

4. the notification unit determines the specific time point in accordance with a type of a talk operation of the other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

5. the transmitting unit simultaneously transmits the user's speech to a plurality of parties through half-duplex communication; the notification unit determines the specific time point according to at least one of a party that responds earliest among the plurality of parties and a party that is in a predetermined rank among the plurality of parties. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

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