wireless communication device

Abstract

To make it possible to detect, during transmission on a channel, radio waves on other channels.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device (10) includes a first radio device (12A), a second radio device (12B), and an operation unit (13) that operates the first radio device or the second radio device based on an input received from a user, and transmits information between the first radio device and the second radio device. At least one of a plurality of channels provided in the first radio device is set as a first priority channel for preferentially detecting radio waves. The first radio device responds to the operation of the first radio device based on the input from the user accepted by the operation unit, and when transmitting on a channel other than the first priority channel, transmits channel information indicating the first priority channel to the second radio device. The second radio device starts detecting the radio waves on the channel based on the channel information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication devices. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a technique for broadcasting audio to one or more wireless terminals using radio waves on a specific channel (channel, frequency) in business radio communications such as police radio communications is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [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, particularly with conventional technology, for example, during transmission on one channel, radio waves transmitted on other channels may not be detected.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication device that can detect radio waves on one channel while transmitting on another channel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless communication device includes a first radio, a second radio, and an operation unit that operates the first radio or the second radio based on input received from a user and transmits information between the first radio and the second radio, wherein the first radio is configured with a first priority channel for prioritizing radio wave detection for at least one of a plurality of channels provided by the first radio, and when transmitting on a channel other than the first priority channel in response to operation of the first radio based on input from the user received by the operation unit, channel information indicating the first priority channel is transmitted to the second radio, and the second radio begins detecting radio waves on the channel based on the channel information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect, while transmitting on one channel, radio waves on other channels can be detected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the wireless communication device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the wireless communication device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposes only, to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various 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 disclosure 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 the 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"). Note that the number of wireless communication devices 10 is not limited to the example of Fig. 1.

[0011] The wireless communication device 10 is a terminal that communicates by dedicated wireless (business wireless) for transmitting business information, such as police wireless, fire wireless, disaster prevention wireless, railway wireless, ship wireless, defense wireless, etc. Each wireless communication device 10 may perform broadcast wireless communication on a predetermined channel (frequency) directly or via a relay station.

[0012] The wireless communication device 10 may be used, for example, by police, fire departments, emergency services, government agencies, disaster relief, mountain rescue, coast guards, taxi operators, truck operators, etc. The wireless communication device 10 may be mounted on a mobile object such as a vehicle or a ship, or may be carried by a user.

[0013] The wireless communication device 10 intermittently receives (scans) each of a predetermined number of channels, receives an audio signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 10 on one of the plurality of channels, and outputs the audio signal from a speaker. The wireless communication device 10 also modulates and transmits an audio signal, such as the user's voice picked up by a microphone, on one of the plurality of channels designated (selected) by the user.

[0014] <Configuration of wireless communication device 10> Next, the configuration of a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 2, the wireless communication device 10 includes a control device 11, a wireless device 12A, a wireless device 12B, an operation unit 13, a speaker 14, and a microphone 15. When there is no need to distinguish between the wireless device 12A and the wireless device 12B, they will be simply referred to as "wireless device 12." The number of wireless devices 12 is not limited to the example of Fig. 2.

[0015] The control device 11 controls the entire wireless communication device 10. In the example of FIG. 2, at least a part of the operation unit 13 and the speaker 14 are built into the housing of the control device 11. Furthermore, at least a part of the operation unit 13 may be built into the housing of the microphone 15. In the example of FIG. 2, the control device 11 and the radio 12 are connected by a cable 17. Furthermore, the control device 11 and the microphone 15 are connected by a cable 18.

[0016] The radio device 12 has one or more antennas, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, etc. The radio device 12 sequentially scans (intermittently receives) radio waves of a plurality of preset channels. When the radio device 12 detects a radio wave of one of the plurality of channels, it outputs an audio signal demodulated from the signal received on that channel to the control device 11, and causes the audio signal to be output from the speaker 14. It is assumed that the radio devices 12A and 12B are set to receive signals on different channels.

[0017] <Hardware configuration> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 11 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 3, the control device 11 (computer 100) 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 part 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 disclosure. 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 disclosure 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 disclosure 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 disclosure. 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 divided among 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 disclosure 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 standalone 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 control device 11 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 11 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 4, the control device 11 has an acquisition unit 111, a control unit 112, and an output unit 113. Each of these units may be realized by cooperation between one or more programs installed in the control device 11 and hardware such as a processor 101 and a memory 102 of the control device 11.

[0024] The acquisition unit 111 acquires various types of information from a memory unit within the control device 11, the operation unit 13, or an external device such as the radio 12. The control unit 112 controls each unit of the wireless communication device 10. The output unit 113 outputs various types of information to an external device such as the radio 12 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 112.

[0025] <Processing> Next, an example of the processing of the wireless communication device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the processing of the wireless communication device 10 according to the embodiment. Note that the order of the following processes may be changed as appropriate. Also, at least some of the following processes may be omitted.

[0026] In step S1-1, the radio device 12A starts scanning a plurality of preset channels. If a radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of channels, the radio device 12A outputs an audio signal received on that channel and demodulated from the speaker 14.

[0027] In the following description, it is assumed that channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3 are set for the radio 12A as channels to be scanned. Note that a priority may be set for each channel by a user or the like. In the following description, the priority is assumed to be highest in the order of channel 1 (high priority), channel 2 (medium priority), and channel 3 (low priority). In this case, for example, channel 1 may be a channel for receiving from a command center. Also, channel 2 may be a channel for transmitting and receiving audio between a group consisting of a relatively small number of members including the user of the wireless communication device 10.

[0028] In step S1-2, the radio device 12B starts scanning a plurality of preset channels. As a result, if a radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of channels, an audio signal received on that channel and demodulated is output from the speaker 14. In the following, it is assumed that channels 4, 5, and 6 are set for the radio device 12B as channels to be scanned. Note that the processes of steps S1-1 and S1-2 may be executed, for example, when the power of the wireless communication device 10 is turned on.

[0029] Next, the acquisition unit 111 of the control device 11 receives an operation to start broadcast transmission on channel 2 from the user via the operation unit 13 (step S2). Here, the operation unit 13 may receive, for example, an operation to designate channel 2 and an operation to instruct the start of broadcast transmission. The operation to instruct the start of broadcast transmission may be, for example, an operation to press and hold a button disposed on the housing of the microphone 15. Note that the control device 11 may execute broadcast transmission on the designated channel while the button is pressed, and may stop broadcast transmission on the designated channel when the button is no longer pressed.

[0030] Next, in response to a user operation on the operation unit 13, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 transmits a command to the radio device 12A to start broadcast transmission on channel 2 (step S3). Next, upon receiving the command, the radio device 12A stops scanning channels 1, 2, and 3 (step S4).

[0031] Next, the wireless device 12A starts broadcast transmission on channel 2 (step S5). Here, the wireless device 12A transmits the sound collected by the microphone 15 by radio waves on channel 2. This allows, for example, a user of the wireless communication device 10 to transmit voice to a user of another wireless communication device 10 using a simplex channel.

[0032] Next, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 transmits a command (channel information) to the radio device 12B to start scanning channel 1 (first priority channel), which has a higher priority than channel 2 (step S6). Here, the control device 11 does not cause the radio device 12B to start scanning channel 3, which has a lower priority than channel 2. This makes it possible, for example, to prevent audio from being transmitted on a channel with a certain priority (importance) while audio is being transmitted on a channel with a lower priority than the channel. Note that the control device 11 does not cause the radio device 12B to start scanning channels with a lower priority than the channel on which broadcast transmission is to be started on the radio device 12A. Therefore, for example, when broadcast transmission on channel 1 is to be started, the control device 11 does not cause the radio device 12B to scan channels 2 and 3. Therefore, the control device 11 may not transmit the command. Alternatively, the control device 11 may not include information about the channels to be scanned in the command. Furthermore, for example, when broadcast transmission on channel 3 is to be started, the control device 11 causes the radio device 12B to scan channels 1 and 2.

[0033] Subsequently, upon receiving the command, the wireless device 12B starts scanning channel 1 (first priority channel) included in the channel information transmitted from the wireless device 12A in addition to channel 4, channel 5, and channel 6 (step S7). Note that the wireless communication device 10 may execute the processes from step S3 to step S5 and the processes from step S6 to step S7 in parallel. Also, the wireless communication device 10 may execute the processes from step S6 to step S7 before the processes from step S3 to step S5.

[0034] The following describes a process when, after the processes up to step S7 have been performed, another wireless communication device 10 performs broadcast transmission on channel 1 while the wireless device 12A is performing broadcast transmission on channel 2. Next, the wireless device 12B detects radio waves on channel 1 (step S8). Next, the wireless device 12B transmits a notification indicating that it has detected radio waves on channel 1 to the control device 11 (step S9).

[0035] Next, upon receiving the notification, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 transmits a command to the wireless device 12B to end the scan of channel 1 (step S10). Next, upon receiving the command, the wireless device 12B stops the scan of channel 1 (step S11) and resumes the scan of pre-set channels 4, 5, and 6 (step S12).

[0036] Next, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 transmits a command to the radio device 12A to end the broadcast transmission on channel 2 (step S13). Here, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 may notify the user from the display or speaker 14 of the operation unit 13 of a message indicating that the broadcast transmission on channel 2 will be ended.

[0037] Subsequently, upon receiving the command, the wireless device 12A ends the broadcast transmission on channel 2 (step S14) and resumes scanning of pre-set channels 1, 2, and 3 (step S15). Note that the wireless communication device 10 may execute the processes from step S10 to step S12 and the processes from step S13 to step S15 in parallel. Also, the wireless communication device 10 may execute the processes from step S13 to step S15 before the processes from step S10 to step S12.

[0038] Next, the wireless device 12A detects radio waves on channel 1 (step S16), and transmits the audio signal received and demodulated on channel 1 to the control device 11 (step S17). Next, the output unit 113 of the control device 11 causes the speaker 14 to output the received audio signal (step S18).

[0039] Conventionally, in a wireless communication device that transmits and receives audio on multiple channels in semi-duplex (half duplex) using an FDMA (Frequency-Division Multiple Access) communication method, scanning of each channel is stopped during broadcast transmission on a certain channel. This allows, for example, a reduction in the number of components, such as an antenna. Therefore, if audio is transmitted on another channel during broadcast transmission on a certain channel, the radio waves of the other channel cannot be detected. As a result, for example, a user may miss audio (speech) on a channel with a higher priority than the channel on which the user is speaking. On the other hand, according to the present disclosure, for example, a user can be less likely to miss audio on a higher priority channel during broadcast transmission on a certain channel.

[0040] Furthermore, in a conventional wireless communication device that transmits and receives audio on multiple channels in semi-duplex, while receiving audio on a certain channel, the wireless communication device may intermittently scan one or more other channels (e.g., channels with a higher priority than the channel currently receiving audio). If the wireless communication device receives audio on another channel with a higher priority while receiving audio on the certain channel, the wireless communication device may stop receiving the certain channel and start receiving the other channel. In this case, the speaker on the certain channel cannot recognize that other users are not listening to his or her audio. On the other hand, according to the present disclosure, for example, a user can hear audio on another channel with a higher priority during a broadcast transmission on a certain channel, and therefore can stop speaking on the certain channel. This reduces the likelihood of a user mistaking the certain channel for transmitting to other users.

[0041] After the processes up to step S7 have been performed, if an operation to end broadcast transmission on channel 2 is received from the user via the operation unit 13, the control device 11 transmits a command to end broadcast transmission on channel 2 to the radio device 12A. Then, the radio device 12A ends broadcast transmission on channel 2 and starts scanning channels 1, 2, and 3. The control device 11 also transmits a command to end scanning on channel 2 to the radio device 12B. Then, the radio device 12B ends scanning on channel 2 and continues scanning channels 4, 5, and 6.

[0042] In the above example, when radio 12B detects a signal on channel 1, which is the priority channel of radio 12A, the transmission of radio 12A is stopped. However, it is also possible to maintain the transmission of radio 12A and have radio 12B demodulate the signal on channel 1, i.e., the priority channel of radio 12A, and transmit the audio signal to control device 11.

[0043] <Modification> The control device 11 may be a device contained in a single housing, but the control device 11 of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Each unit of the control device 11 may be realized, for example, by cloud computing configured with one or more computers. Such control devices are also included as examples of the "control device" of the present disclosure. Furthermore, at least a portion of the processing of the control device 11 may be configured to be executed by the radio device 12.

[0044] 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]

[0045] 1. Wireless communication systems 10. Wireless communication devices 11 Control device 111 Acquisition Department 112 Control Unit 113 Output section 100 computers 101 processors 102 memory 103 Communication Interface 104 Programs 12A radio 12B Radio 13 Control section 14 Speaker 15. Mike 17 Cable 18 Cable

Claims

1. a first radio unit, a second radio unit, and a control device; the first radio device scans a plurality of channels including at least a first priority channel on which radio waves are preferentially received; the second radio is scanning channels that do not include the first priority channel; when receiving an instruction to start transmission on a channel having a lower priority than the first priority channel among the plurality of channels being scanned by the first radio device through a user operation, the control device transmits a command to the first radio device to start transmission on the channel, and transmits channel information to the second radio device to start scanning including the first priority channel; When the first radio device receives a command to start transmission on the channel from the control device, the first radio device stops scanning including the first priority channel and then enters a transmission state on the channel; When the second radio device receives the channel information from the control device, the second radio device starts scanning the first priority channel in addition to the channels to be scanned. Wireless communication device.

2. When the second radio device detects radio waves on the first priority channel during a scan including the first priority channel, the second radio device transmits a notification indicating that radio waves on the first priority channel have been detected to the control device; When the control device receives the notification, the control device transmits a command to end scanning of the first priority channel to the second radio device and transmits a command to end a transmission state to the first radio device; when receiving a command to end scanning of the first priority channel from the control device, the second radio device stops scanning of the first priority channel and then resumes scanning of channels that do not include the first priority channel; when receiving a command from the control device to terminate transmission on channels other than the first priority channel, the first radio device stops transmission on channels other than the first priority channel and then resumes scanning of a plurality of channels including at least the first priority channel; The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

Images