JP2004179762A - Data communication device and computer readable storage medium storing data communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

A data communication device capable of immediately entering a dormant state without waiting for a timeout and a computer-readable storage medium storing a data communication program.
A data communication device with a dormant function includes a data communication adapter connected to a notebook personal computer, a wireless telephone function having a function of performing data communication via a wireless line, and a fixed time during communication. The data communication adapter 2 includes a dormant function for disconnecting only the wireless line while maintaining the communication state of the notebook computer 1 when data is not transmitted and received, and a dormant button 3 for entering the dormant. When the user button 3 is pressed, the data communication of the lower layer is disconnected, and a dormant state is set.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data communication device and a computer-readable storage medium storing a data communication program, and more particularly, to lower-layer communication while maintaining upper-layer data communication such as a portable information terminal in a communication state during data communication. The present invention relates to a data communication device having a dormant function that can be disconnected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to perform data communication from the outside or the like with the Internet or a host computer of a company, a portable information terminal such as a notebook computer is connected to a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) or the like, and a wireless line is used. However, the number of wireless lines is limited, and if many people remain connected, new users will not be able to connect. In order to avoid this, there is a Dormant function that disconnects the PHS line while keeping the computer in a communication state. The dormant function automatically disconnects the wireless line when the computer has not been operated for a certain period of time and keeps the portable information terminal in the communication state, and reconnects only the wireless line when newly performing data communication. It has become. For details of the dormant function, there is a known document described in Non-Patent Document 1.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a dormant communication operation using a conventional data communication adapter with a dormant function. In the figure, STEP indicates each step of the flow.
[0003]
As an example of a normal dormant operation, a description will be given of an operation from the start of data communication to the start of a dormant operation when a data communication adapter with a built-in wireless communication function is connected to a portable information terminal such as a notebook personal computer.
[0004]
First, in STEP 1, a connection function such as dial-up of a portable information terminal to which a data communication adapter with a built-in wireless communication function is connected is connected to a connection destination that supports dormant, and it is determined whether connection has been successfully completed or failed. I do. If the connection is unsuccessful, the mobile information terminal again makes a dial-up call.
After the connection is completed, communication such as a browser and mail is performed in the same manner as in normal data communication in STEP2, and it is determined in STEP3 whether data communication is completed.
[0005]
If the operation of the portable information terminal is stopped for a certain period of time, such as a state in which the display of the homepage is completed in the browser or a state in which the mail is displayed, and the data transmission and reception are not performed, it is determined that the data communication is completed. Starts the dormant timer that has been set. Next, in STEP5, the presence or absence of data communication is determined, and when the portable information terminal is operated again, data transmission / reception occurs, so that the operation returns to the normal data communication state (STEP2). If data transmission / reception is not performed between the start of the timer and the occurrence of the timeout (STEP 6), only the wireless line is disconnected in STEP 7. At this time, the mobile information terminal remains in a communication state without any change. This sets the dormant state (STEP 8).
[0006]
Next, in step 9, the presence or absence of data communication is determined, and when the portable information terminal is operated again to display a home page or send / receive an e-mail with a browser, a wireless line is connected in step 10 to return to a normal communication state.
[Non-patent document 1]
MITF dial-up dormant protocol standard (ARIBSTD-T78 version 1.0) formulated on July 27, 2001 Radio Association of Japan [0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When data communication is performed using the data communication device with a dormant function, a dormant state is entered after a certain period of time has elapsed since data transmission and reception has stopped as shown in STEPs 4 to 6 in FIG. For a certain period of time after disappearing, the wireless line is used. Therefore, the line is wasted.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has a data communication device and a computer-readable storage medium storing a data communication program that can immediately enter a dormant state without waiting for a timeout. It is intended to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A data communication apparatus according to the present invention is a data communication apparatus having a dormant function capable of disconnecting a lower layer communication while keeping data communication in a communication state during data communication. Wherein the dormant function enters a dormant state when instructed by the input means.
[0010]
The communication disconnection of the lower layer is a disconnection of a wireless line, and when performing new data communication, the communication may return from the dormant state to a normal communication state by reconnecting only the wireless line.
As a more preferable specific mode, the input unit is an external input unit such as an operation button.
[0011]
Further, the present invention provides a data communication apparatus having a dormant function capable of disconnecting a lower layer communication while keeping data communication in a communication state at the time of data communication, comprising input means for instructing entry into a dormant state. The dormant function is a program for functioning as a data communication device that enters a dormant state when instructed by the input means.
[0012]
Further, the present invention provides a data communication apparatus having a dormant function capable of disconnecting a lower layer communication while keeping data communication in a communication state during data communication, comprising an input means for instructing to enter a dormant state. The dormant function is a computer-readable recording medium characterized by recording a program for causing the apparatus to function as a data communication device that enters a dormant state when instructed by the input means.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a data communication device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an example in which a data communication device using a data communication adapter with a dormant is applied to a notebook personal computer. This personal computer includes a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants).
[0015]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook personal computer) as an example of a portable information terminal capable of processing and displaying data transmitted by data communication. This is a data communication adapter (data communication device) with a built-in wireless communication function.
[0016]
The data communication adapter 2 holds a wireless telephone function having a function of performing data communication via a wireless line, and a communication state of the notebook computer 1 when data is not transmitted or received for a certain period of time during communication. A data card type data adapter that has a dormant function of disconnecting only the wireless line as it is and converts data into the data format of the notebook computer 1; a dormant button for instructing the data communication adapter 2 to enter a dormant state 3 (input means) and an antenna 4 for performing wireless communication.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the operation of the data communication device with a dormant function configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart in a case where a dormant communication is performed using a data communication adapter with a dormant function.
[0018]
As an example of the operation when performing dormant communication, in an environment in which a notebook personal computer (portable information terminal) 1 and a data communication adapter 2 with a built-in wireless communication function are connected, the dormant communication is performed using the dormant button 3 from the start of data communication. Will be described.
[0019]
First, in STEP 11, a connection function such as dial-up of the notebook personal computer 1 to which the data adapter 2 with a built-in wireless communication function is connected is connected to a connection destination that supports dormant, and it is determined whether the connection has been successfully completed or failed. I do. If the connection is unsuccessful, the mobile information terminal again makes a dial-up call.
[0020]
After the connection is completed, communication such as browser and mail is performed in the same manner as in the normal data communication in STEP 12. When the operation of the notebook computer such as the state where the homepage is displayed on the browser or the state of displaying the mail is stopped for a certain period of time and the data transmission and reception are not performed, it is determined that the data communication is completed, and the setting is made in advance in STEP 14 Starts the timer for the dormant.
[0021]
In STEP15, it is determined whether or not the dormant button 3 is pressed. When the dormant button 3 is pressed, the dormant timer is stopped in STEP16, and only the wireless line is disconnected in STEP19. At this time, no communication is performed with the notebook computer 1 and the notebook computer 1 remains in communication. This sets the dormant state (STEP 20).
[0022]
If the dormant button 3 is not pressed in the above STEP 15, the presence or absence of data communication is determined in STEP 17 as in the case of normal dormant communication, and data transmission / reception occurs when the notebook computer 1 is operated again. Therefore, the process returns to the normal data communication state (STEP 12). If data transmission / reception is not performed between the time when the timer is started and the time-out occurs (STEP 18), only the wireless line is disconnected in STEP 19. At this time, the notebook PC 1 remains in a communication state without any change. This sets the dormant state (STEP 20).
[0023]
Next, in step 21, it is determined whether or not there is data communication, and when the notebook computer 1 is operated again from the dormant state, even when the dormant button 3 is pressed to enter the dormant state, even when the dormant timer enters a dormant state due to a timeout of the dormant timer. In the same manner as in step 22, a wireless line is connected in step 22 to return to a normal communication state.
[0024]
Therefore, by using the dormant button 3, when the operation of the notebook personal computer (portable information terminal) 1 is completed, the user can enter the dormant state without waiting for the time-out, thereby reducing battery consumption. It becomes possible.
[0025]
As described above, the data communication device with the dormant function according to the present embodiment has a wireless telephone function in which the data communication adapter 2 connected to the notebook personal computer 1 has a function of performing data communication via a wireless line. A dormant function for disconnecting only the wireless line while maintaining the communication state of the notebook computer 1 when data is not transmitted or received for a certain period of time during communication, and a dormant button 3 for entering the dormant, When the dormant button 3 is pressed, the communication adapter 2 disconnects the data communication of the lower layer and enters a dormant state. Therefore, it is determined that the user does not perform the data communication for a while while using the data communication. If the user does not wait for the timeout due to the operation of the button 3 for the dormant, any timing earlier than the timeout It is possible to enter a dormant state.
[0026]
This makes it possible to further reduce the use state of the radio line and increase the efficiency of the line resources, as compared with the related art in which the dormant state is entered after a certain period of time without data transmission / reception. In particular, it is conceivable that the data communication device with a dormant function (the data communication adapter 2 and the notebook computer 1 in the present embodiment) is mounted on a battery-driven portable terminal device. If the present data communication device is applied to such a portable terminal device, it is possible to reduce the consumption of precious batteries.
[0027]
It should be noted that the data communication device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is applied to a data communication adapter device connected to a notebook computer as a data communication device, but is not limited to a portable information terminal such as a PDA or the like, or has a data communication function such as a mobile phone / PHS or a combination thereof. Applicable to the device. Further, the contents of the dormant function and the data communication may be any.
[0028]
Further, the type of each processing unit and the like constituting the data communication device, the type of data stored in the storage area, and the like are not limited to the above-described embodiment. In particular, the shape and operation mode of the dormant button for instructing to enter the dormant state may be of any type, and may be shared with other existing switches and the like. Further, when entering the dormant state, an LED or the like may be lit / flashed to notify the dormant state. In this case, it is preferable to notify the state when the dormant button is operated.
[0029]
The data communication device with a dormant function described above is also realized by a program for causing this data communication device to function. This program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, as the recording medium, the main memory itself may be a program medium, or a program reading device is provided as an external storage device, and the program medium can be read by inserting the recording medium into the program reading device. May be. In any case, the stored program may be configured to be accessed and executed by the CPU, or the program may be read in any case, and the read program may be stored in a program storage area (not shown). And the program may be executed. It is assumed that the download program is stored in the main unit in advance.
[0030]
Here, the program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, or a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD. And a fixed medium including a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash ROM, or the like.
[0031]
Further, although not shown, when a device capable of connecting to an external communication network is provided, the program is fluidly loaded so that the program is downloaded from the communication network via the communication connection device. Media. When the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, the download program may be stored in the main device in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium. The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to a program, but may be data.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the user determines that data communication is not to be performed for a while while using data communication, the user can immediately dormant without waiting for a timeout due to user operation. Since the state can be entered, the wireless line can be used efficiently by disconnecting the wireless line before the timeout. Further, by disconnecting the line early, the consumption of the battery can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a data communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart in the case of performing a dormant communication of the data communication device of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart in the case of performing conventional dormant communication.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 notebook personal computer (portable information terminal)
2 Data communication adapter (data communication device)
3 Dormant buttons (input means)
4 Antenna

Claims (5)

In a data communication device having a dormant function capable of cutting off communication of a lower layer while keeping data communication in a communication state during data communication,
Input means for instructing to enter the dormant state,
The dormant function,
A data communication device, wherein the device enters a dormant state in response to an instruction from the input unit. The communication disconnection of the lower layer is a disconnection of a wireless line, and when performing a new data communication, the communication is returned from the dormant state to a normal communication state by reconnecting only the wireless line. 2. The data communication device according to 1. 2. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is an external input unit such as an operation button. In a data communication device having a dormant function capable of disconnecting the communication of the lower layer while keeping the data communication in the communication state at the time of the data communication, the input device instructs to enter the dormant state, and the dormant function includes: A program for functioning as a data communication device that enters a dormant state when instructed by the input unit. In a data communication device having a dormant function capable of disconnecting the communication of the lower layer while keeping the data communication in the communication state at the time of the data communication, the input device instructs to enter the dormant state, and the dormant function includes: A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for functioning as a data communication device that enters a dormant state when instructed by the input means.

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