WO2010010645A1 - Wireless communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication device which reliably reduces power consumption by avoiding increase in power consumption more than necessary. A wireless LAN device section (201) of the wireless communication device communicates with an access point through a wireless link. An opening and closing detection section (203) detects opening and closing of a casing of the wireless communication device (101). An input section (204), which is a user interface for allowing a user to operate the wireless communication device (101), detects pressing-down and so on of a button or the like by the user. A user state management section (205) instructs to change operation of a wireless LAN according to the detection result obtained by the opening and closing detection section (203) or the input section (204). A wires LAN control section (208) controls the wireless LAN device section (201) according to the instruction to change the operation of the wireless LAN given by the user state management section (205).

Description

Wireless communication device

The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, and more particularly to a wireless communication apparatus that reduces power consumption in a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

In recent years, in a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN, it is required to reduce power consumption of a wireless communication device.

In response to such a request, it is known that power consumption can be reduced by controlling the power supply or operating frequency of the communication circuit of the wireless communication apparatus.

Also, as a power saving control method for a communication circuit, for example, the IEEE 802.11 power save mode is generally known. In this power save mode, the wireless communication device intermittently receives a beacon periodically transmitted from an access point at an arbitrary beacon reception timing. Then, when there is data addressed to itself, the wireless communication device continues the reception process, and when there is no data addressed to itself, the wireless communication device shifts the communication circuit to the low power consumption mode until the next beacon reception timing.

However, in the conventional power saving control method, the intermittent reception cycle of the communication circuit is not optimized, so that there is a limit in reducing power consumption.

For such a problem, a wireless communication device that optimizes the intermittent reception cycle of a communication circuit and reduces power consumption is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Literature 1, the wireless communication device is configured to execute an application executing unit that executes an application that communicates with the outside via a base station, and a periodical application according to the type and communication characteristics of the application being executed by the application executing unit. Communication interface means for notifying the transmission period setting request means of the signal transmission period.
JP 2005-130436 A

However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that power consumption increases more than necessary because the user state is not taken into consideration when optimizing the intermittent reception cycle of the communication circuit. Here, the state of the user is a state where the wireless communication device is operated or a state where the wireless communication device is not operated. Further, the state in which the wireless communication device is operated is a state in which, for example, a telephone application is assumed, a state where the user can immediately answer a telephone call, for example, a state in which a web browsing application is activated and a website is browsed, or For example, the image viewer application is activated and a photo is being browsed. Further, the state in which the wireless communication device is not operated is a state in which, for example, a telephone application is assumed, a state in which a telephone call cannot be made immediately, for example, a state in which the two-fold open / close wireless communication device is closed or a user wirelessly This is a state in which the liquid crystal screen becomes dark after a while without operating the communication device.

In other words, even if the same telephone application is activated, if a call arrives when the wireless communication device is not operated, the user cannot immediately answer the phone, so that the wireless communication device is operated. In comparison, the demand for quick response to incoming calls is low. However, in the past, the intermittent reception cycle was not optimized according to the user's state, so the wireless communication device was operated while the wireless communication device was not operated even though the demand for quick response was low. There is a problem in that intermittent reception is performed in the same manner as in the state where power consumption cannot be reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of reliably reducing power consumption without increasing power consumption more than necessary.

The wireless communication apparatus of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit that performs communication using a wireless line, a detection unit that detects an operation by a user, and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit according to a detection result of the detection unit. The structure which comprises is taken.

According to the present invention, power consumption can be reduced without increasing power consumption more than necessary.

The figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the wireless LAN operation | movement table which concerns on embodiment of this invention State transition diagram of user state according to the embodiment of the present invention The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus in the state change (E303) and state change (E307) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus in the state change (E302) and state change (E306) which concerns on embodiment of this invention The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus in the state change (E301) and state change (E305) which concern on embodiment of this invention The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus in the state change (E300) and state change (E304) which concern on embodiment of this invention The figure explaining operation | movement between the radio | wireless communication apparatus and access point in the 1st operation state which paid its attention to the operation mode and electric field strength which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure explaining operation | movement between the radio | wireless communication apparatus and access point in the 2nd operation state which paid its attention to the operation mode which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and electric field strength The figure explaining operation | movement between the radio | wireless communication apparatus and access point in the 1st non-operation state which paid its attention to the operation mode and electric field strength which concern on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows operation | movement between the radio | wireless communication apparatus and access point in the 2nd operation state and 1st non-operation state which paid its attention to the automatic scan period which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows operation | movement between the radio | wireless communication apparatus and access point in the 2nd non-operation state which paid its attention to the automatic scan period which concerns on embodiment of this invention 1 is an external view of a wireless communication device when a housing of the wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed. 1 is an external view of a wireless communication device when a housing of the wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened. The figure which shows the electric field strength level table which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The communication system 100 includes a wireless communication device 101, a wireless LAN 102, an access point 103, and a network 104.

The wireless communication device 101 is a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone, for example, and communicates with a communication partner device or an external device (not shown) connected to the network 104 via the wireless LAN 102, the access point 103, and the network 104.

The access point 103 is an access point for the wireless LAN 102 and is connected to the wireless communication apparatus 101 via the wireless LAN 102. The access point 103 relays communication between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and an external device.

The network 104 connects the access point 103 and a communication partner device or an external device.

In the present embodiment, the case of an infrastructure mode in which the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 are connected by a wireless LAN will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be in an ad hoc mode, and is limited to a wireless LAN. Not.

Next, the configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 101.

The wireless communication apparatus 101 mainly includes a wireless LAN device unit 201, a reception quality determination unit 202, an open / close detection unit 203, an input unit 204, a user state management unit 205, a process execution unit 206, a display unit 207, and a wireless LAN control unit 208. Composed.

When the wireless LAN device unit 201 is not connected to the access point 103, the wireless LAN device unit 201 transmits a probe request at an automatic scan cycle, periodically performs an automatic scan, and searches for the access point 103 of the wireless LAN. The wireless LAN device unit 201 communicates with the access point 103 found by the automatic scan via the wireless LAN 102.

The reception quality determination unit 202 measures the electric field strength level (reception quality) while the wireless LAN device unit 201 is connected to the access point 103, and if the electric field strength level is changed, Notice. Specifically, the reception quality determination unit 202 stores in advance a field strength level table in which the field strength level displayed on the display unit 207, the number of field strength levels, and the range of the received field strength are associated with each other. Also, the reception quality determination unit 202 selects the number of field strength levels instructed from the wireless LAN control unit 208. In addition, the reception quality determination unit 202 measures the field strength level of the received beacon and refers to the field strength level table of the selected number of field strength levels using the measured field strength level, thereby displaying on the display unit 207. Select the field strength level to display. Then, the reception quality determination unit 202 detects whether or not the selected field strength level is the same as the previously selected field strength level. If the field strength level is the same, the process ends. On the other hand, the reception quality determination unit 202 notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of the change of the electric field strength level when the electric field strength levels are different. The electric field strength level table will be described later.

In this embodiment, the reception quality determination unit 202 uses the measured field strength as it is when measuring the field strength level. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the field strength measured for a predetermined time is averaged. For example, the electric field intensity level may be selected using the processed measurement value.

In this embodiment, the display method of the field strength level displayed on the display unit 207 (for example, the number of antennas) or the range of the field strength when switching the display of each field strength level is not limited.

In this embodiment, the case of performing an active scan for transmitting a probe request will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a passive scan without transmitting a probe request may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the automatic scan cycle is one cycle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of different cycles may be used.

The opening / closing detection unit 203 detects opening / closing of the housing of the wireless communication apparatus 101. When the opening / closing detection unit 203 detects opening / closing, the opening / closing detection unit 203 notifies the user state management unit 205 of the detection result as a user state. Here, the opening / closing means that when the wireless communication device 101 is composed of at least two housings, when the housing is foldable, the folded state is changed to the opened state or the opened state is opened. It means to be folded. In addition, when the casings that overlap vertically are slidable in parallel to each other, it means that they are in a state where they are slid from the slid state or are in a state where they are slid from the state where they are overlapped vertically. In addition, when one of the upper and lower casings is rotatably attached to the other, the front side of the one casing and the other casing face each other and overlap each other. From the state in which the back side (opposite side of the front side) and the other housing face each other and overlap each other, or the back side of one housing and the other housing face each other and overlap each other This means that the front side of the casing and the other casing face each other and overlap each other.

The input unit 204 is a user interface for the user to operate the wireless communication apparatus 101. Specifically, the input unit 204 is an input device such as a button, a key, a mouse, a tablet, a pointing device, a touch panel, or a touch pad, or its control software. The input unit 204 detects the presence or absence of a user operation such as pressing a button, moving a mouse, or clicking on a touch panel, for example. When the user operation is detected, the input result is set as a user state to the user state management unit 205. Notice. Further, the input unit 204 outputs a control signal for causing the process execution unit 206 to execute a predetermined process in response to a user operation.

The user status management unit 205 manages the user status and controls the operation of the wireless LAN based on the user status. Specifically, the user state management unit 205 stores in advance a wireless LAN operation table in which user states and wireless LAN operations are associated, and uses the user state acquired from the open / close detection unit 203 and the input unit 204. The operation of the wireless LAN is selected by referring to the table. Then, the user status management unit 205 instructs the wireless LAN control unit 208 to change the operation of the wireless LAN based on the selected operation of the wireless LAN.

The process execution unit 206 executes a predetermined process by operating the input unit 204 of the user who uses the wireless communication apparatus 101. Specifically, the process execution unit 206 operates an application (communication application) that performs communication via the wireless LAN device unit 201, such as a telephone application or a web browsing application, by a user operation, for example. Perform various processes. The process execution unit 206 executes various processes by operating applications (general-purpose applications) that do not communicate via the wireless LAN device unit 201, such as an image viewer application, a calculator application, or a calendar application. .

The display unit 207 is a display device such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL, or its control software. When the display unit 207 is instructed to change the display of the electric field strength level from the wireless LAN control unit 208, the display unit 207 displays the changed electric field strength level as an antenna bar, for example.

The wireless LAN control unit 208 controls the wireless LAN device unit 201 based on the change in operation of the wireless LAN selected by the user state management unit 205, and sends the field strength level to the reception quality determination unit 202 as necessary. Instruct the number to change. In addition, when the wireless LAN control unit 208 receives a notification of a change in the electric field strength level from the reception quality determination unit 202, the wireless LAN control unit 208 controls the display unit 207 to change and display the electric field strength level.

Here, the telephone application is an application that performs communication such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) with an external device using a session control protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), and processes related to telephone functions such as a call and standby. Execute. Note that when the telephone application is activated, a transition is made to the standby state, and a transition is made to the call state by incoming or outgoing calls. After that, it transitions to the standby state again by the end of the talk.

Also, the web browsing application is an application for browsing a website using a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and executes processing such as activation of a browser or a widget. When a browser or a widget is activated, the state transits to a communication standby state, and a user operation or autonomously transits to a communication state. After that, the communication transitions to the communication standby state again upon completion of communication.

The image viewer application is an application that executes an image processing function such as image display, editing, or operation by a user operation.

Also, the calculator application is an application that executes processing of calculator functions such as calculation by user operation.

Also, a calendar application is an application that executes a calendar function such as schedule management by a user operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wireless LAN operation table stored in the user state management unit 205. FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram of the user state.

3 and 4, the user state can take four states: a first operation state, a second operation state, a first non-operation state, and a second non-operation state. In each user state, “first” indicates that the casing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is open, and “second” indicates that the casing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is closed. In each user state, the “operation state” indicates a state where the input unit 204 is operated by the user, and the “non-operation state” indicates that the user does not operate the input unit 204 within a predetermined time. Indicates the state.

That is, the state change (E300) from the first operation state to the first non-operation state is that the input unit 204 was not operated by the user within a predetermined time in a state where the housing of the wireless communication device 101 was opened. State. The state change (E301) from the first operation state to the second operation state is a case where the housing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is changed from the open state to the closed state. The state change (E302) from the first non-operation state to the first operation state is a state in which the user has operated the input unit 204 in a state where the housing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is opened. The state change (E303) from the first non-operation state to the second operation state is a case where the casing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is changed from the open state to the closed state. In addition, the state change from the second operation state to the second non-operation state (E304) indicates that the input unit 204 was not operated by the user within a predetermined time when the housing of the wireless communication device 101 was closed. State. Further, the state change (E305) from the second operation state to the first operation state is a case where the casing is changed from the closed state to the opened state. Further, the state change (E306) from the second non-operation state to the second operation state is a state in which the user has operated the input unit 204 in a state where the housing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is closed. The state change (E307) from the second non-operation state to the first operation state is a case where the casing of the wireless communication apparatus 101 is changed from the closed state to the opened state.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 will be described.

First, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E303) and the state change (E307) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E303) and the state change (E307).

5, the wireless LAN device unit 201 is set to the power save mode under the control of the wireless LAN control unit 208. In addition, the process execution unit 206 activates a telephone application. Further, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 is not operated by the user.

In this case, when detecting the user operation, the input unit 204 notifies the detection result to the user state management unit 205 (step ST501), and when detecting the user operation, the input unit 204 sends a control signal corresponding to the user operation. It outputs to the process execution part 206 (step ST502).

Next, when the open / close detection unit 203 detects that the housing has been opened from the closed state, the open / close detection unit 203 notifies the user state management unit 205 of the detection result (step ST503).

Next, the user state management unit 205 detects a state change from the first non-operation state to the second operation state (E303) or from the second non-operation state to the first operation state (E307).

Then, the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification that is a notification of the selected operation change. (Step ST504). Specifically, the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, and in the case of state change (E303), acquires the wireless LAN operation of the second operation state that is the transition destination, and transition destination The difference between the wireless LAN operation and the wireless LAN operation in the first non-operation state that is the transition source is detected. Further, in the case of a state change (E307), the user state management unit 205 acquires the wireless LAN operation in the first operation state that is the transition destination, and the wireless LAN operation that is the transition destination and the second that is the transition source. A difference from a non-operating wireless LAN operation is detected. When the user state management unit 205 detects a difference, the user state management unit 205 selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification. Also, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 has been operated by the user.

The wireless LAN control unit 208 performs a wireless LAN control instruction for controlling the wireless LAN device unit 201 so as to perform the operation change instructed by the user state change notification (step ST505).

Next, in the case of a state change (E303), the wireless LAN device unit 201 maintains the power save mode setting. On the other hand, in the case of a state change (E307), the wireless LAN device unit 201 changes the setting from the power save mode to the active mode (step ST506).

In addition, in the case of a state change (E307), the wireless LAN control unit 208 instructs the reception quality determination unit 202 to set the number of field strength levels to 4 from the state where the field strength is not displayed (step ST507). On the other hand, in the case of a state change (E303), the wireless LAN control unit 208 does not instruct the reception quality determination unit 202 because there is no change in the number of field strength levels.

Next, when the reception quality determination unit 202 is instructed to change the number of field strength levels, the reception quality determination unit 202 changes the number of field strength levels.

The reception quality determination unit 202 measures the electric field intensity level, and determines the electric field intensity level with reference to the electric field intensity level table of the changed number of levels using the measured electric field intensity level.

Then, reception quality determination section 202 notifies wireless LAN control section 208 of the determined field strength level (step ST508).

Next, display section 207 displays the field strength level determined by reception quality determination section 202 under the control of wireless LAN control section 208 (step ST509).

Note that, in the case of a state change (E303), the number of electric field strength levels is not changed, so that the wireless communication apparatus 101 does not perform the operations of Step ST507 to Step ST509 in FIG.

This completes the description of FIG.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E302) and the state change (E306) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E302) and the state change (E306).

6, the wireless LAN device unit 201 is set to the power save mode under the control of the wireless LAN control unit 208. In addition, the process execution unit 206 activates a telephone application. Further, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 is not operated by the user.

In this case, when detecting the user operation, the input unit 204 notifies the detection result to the user state management unit 205 (step ST601), and when detecting the user operation, the input unit 204 sends a control signal corresponding to the user operation. It outputs to the process execution part 206 (step ST602).

Next, the user state management unit 205 detects a state change from the first non-operation state to the first operation state (E302) or from the second non-operation state to the second operation state (E306).

Then, the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification that is a notification of the selected operation change. (Step ST603). Specifically, in the case of a state change (E302), the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, acquires the wireless LAN operation of the first operation state that is the transition destination, and transition destination The difference between the wireless LAN operation and the wireless LAN operation in the first non-operation state that is the transition source is detected. Further, in the case of a state change (E306), the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, acquires the wireless LAN operation of the second operation state that is the transition destination, and moves to the wireless LAN of the transition destination. A difference between the operation and the wireless LAN operation in the second non-operation state as a transition source is detected. When the user state management unit 205 detects a difference, the user state management unit 205 selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification. Also, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 has been operated by the user.

The wireless LAN control unit 208 performs a wireless LAN control instruction for controlling the wireless LAN device unit 201 so as to perform the operation change instructed by the user state change notification (step ST604).

Next, the wireless LAN device unit 201 maintains the power save mode in the case of the state change (E306), and changes from the power save mode to the active mode in the case of the state change (E302) (step ST605).

Also, in the case of a state change (E302), the wireless LAN control unit 208 instructs the reception quality determination unit 202 to change the number of electric field strength levels from 2 to 4 (step ST606). Moreover, in the case of a state change (E306), the wireless LAN control unit 208 instructs the reception quality determination unit 202 to change the number of electric field strength levels from 2 to 2 (step ST606).

Next, when the reception quality determination unit 202 is instructed to change the number of field strength levels, the reception quality determination unit 202 changes the number of field strength levels.

The reception quality determination unit 202 measures the electric field intensity level, and determines the electric field intensity level with reference to the electric field intensity level table of the changed number of levels using the measured electric field intensity level.

And reception quality determination section 202 notifies wireless LAN control section 208 of the determined electric field strength level (step ST607).

Next, display section 207 displays the field strength level determined by reception quality determination section 202 under the control of wireless LAN control section 208 (step ST608).

This is the end of the description of FIG.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E301) and the state change (E305) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E301) and the state change (E305).

7, the wireless LAN device unit 201 is set to the active mode in the case of a state change (E301) and in the power save mode in the case of a state change (E305) under the control of the wireless LAN control unit 208. Is set. In addition, the process execution unit 206 activates a telephone application. The user status management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 is being operated by the user.

In this case, when the open / close detection unit 203 detects that the casing is changed from the open state to the closed state, the open / close detection unit 203 notifies the user state management unit 205 of the detection result (step ST701).

Next, the user state management unit 205 detects a state change from the first operation state to the second operation state (E301) or a state change from the second operation state to the first operation state (E305).

Then, the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification that is a notification of the selected operation change. (Step ST702). Specifically, in the case of the state change (E301), the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, acquires the wireless LAN operation of the second operation state that is the transition destination, and transition destination The difference between the wireless LAN operation of the second operation state and the wireless LAN operation of the second operation state as the transition source is detected. In the case of a state change (E305), the user state management unit 205 acquires the wireless LAN operation of the first operation state that is the transition destination, and the wireless LAN operation of the transition destination and the first that is the transition source. A difference from the operation state wireless LAN operation is detected. When the user state management unit 205 detects a difference, the user state management unit 205 selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification. Further, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 is operated by the user.

The wireless LAN control unit 208 performs a wireless LAN control instruction for controlling the wireless LAN device unit 201 so as to perform the operation change instructed by the user state change notification (step ST703).

Next, in the case of a state change (E301), wireless LAN device section 201 changes from active mode to power save mode, and in the case of state change (E305), changes from power save mode to active mode (step ST704). ). In the case of a state change (E301), when instructed to change the operation mode from the active mode to the power save, the wireless LAN device unit 201 changes the operation mode by a method defined in IEEE 802.11. Specifically, the wireless LAN device unit 201 transmits a default packet in which the power save bit is set to the access point 103.

Also, in the case of a state change (E301), the wireless LAN control unit 208 instructs the reception quality determination unit 202 to change the number of electric field strength levels from 4 to 2 (step ST705). In the case of a state change (E305), wireless LAN control section 208 instructs reception quality determination section 202 to change the number of field strength levels from 2 to 4 (step ST705).

Next, when the reception quality determination unit 202 is instructed to change the number of levels in the field strength level check, the reception quality determination unit 202 changes the number of field strength levels.

The reception quality determination unit 202 measures the electric field intensity level, and determines the electric field intensity level with reference to the electric field intensity level table of the changed number of levels using the measured electric field intensity level.

Then, reception quality determination section 202 notifies wireless LAN control section 208 of the determined field strength level (step ST706).

Next, display section 207 displays the field strength level determined by reception quality determination section 202 under the control of wireless LAN control section 208 (step ST707).

This completes the description of FIG.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E300) and the state change (E304) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 101 in the state change (E300) and the state change (E304).

8, the wireless LAN device unit 201 is in the active mode in the case of a state change (E300) and in the power save mode in the case of a state change (E304) under the control of the wireless LAN control unit 208. In addition, the process execution unit 206 activates a telephone application. The user status management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 is being operated by the user.

In this case, when the input unit 204 does not detect a user operation within a predetermined period, the input unit 204 notifies the user state management unit 205 of the detection result (step ST801).

Next, the user state management unit 205 detects a state change from the first operation state to the first non-operation state (E300) or from the second operation state to the second non-operation state (E304).

Then, the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification that is a notification of the selected operation change. (Step ST802). Specifically, in the case of a state change (E300), the user state management unit 205 refers to the wireless LAN operation table, acquires the wireless LAN operation in the first non-operation state that is the transition destination, and changes the state. A difference between the previous wireless LAN operation and the wireless LAN operation in the first operation state as the transition source is detected. In the case of a state change (E304), the user state management unit 205 acquires the wireless LAN operation in the second non-operation state of the transition destination, and the second wireless LAN operation as the transition source and the second of the transition destination. A difference from the operation state wireless LAN operation is detected. When the user state management unit 205 detects a difference, the user state management unit 205 selects an operation change according to the state change, and notifies the wireless LAN control unit 208 of a user state change notification. Also, the user state management unit 205 determines that the input unit 204 has not been operated by the user.

The wireless LAN control unit 208 performs a wireless LAN control instruction for controlling the wireless LAN device unit 201 so as to perform the operation change instructed by the user state change notification (step ST803).

Next, the wireless LAN device unit 201 changes from the active mode to the power save mode in the case of a state change (E300) (step ST804), and maintains the power save mode in the case of a state change (E304).

In the case of a state change (E300), the wireless LAN control unit 208 instructs the reception quality determination unit 202 to change the number of electric field strength levels from 4 to 2 (step ST805). In the case of a state change (E304), wireless LAN control section 208 instructs reception quality determination section 202 to change the number of electric field intensity levels from 2 to non-display (step ST805).

Next, when the reception quality determination unit 202 is instructed to change the number of field strength levels, the reception quality determination unit 202 changes the number of field strength levels.

In the case of the state change (E300), the reception quality determination unit 202 measures the electric field intensity level, and refers to the electric field intensity level table of the changed number of electric field intensity levels using the measured electric field intensity level. Determine the field strength level. In addition, the reception quality determination unit 202 stops measuring the electric field strength level in the case of a state change (E304).

And, in the case of state change (E300), reception quality determination section 202 notifies wireless LAN control section 208 of the determined electric field strength level (step ST806).

Next, display section 207 displays the field strength level determined by reception quality determination section 202 under the control of wireless LAN control section 208 (step ST807).

In the case of a state change (E303), the field strength level is not displayed, and thus the wireless communication apparatus 101 does not perform the operations of Step ST806 and Step ST807 of FIG.

Next, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the first operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the first operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength.

9, the wireless communication apparatus 101 receives all the beacons transmitted at the beacon interval (T1) and measures the electric field strength level. At this time, since the number of electric field intensity levels is set to 4, the display unit 207 can display the antenna bar in four stages at each beacon interval (T1) with respect to a change in the received electric field intensity.

Further, from FIG. 9, when there is data addressed to the wireless communication apparatus 101 at the access point 103, the wireless communication apparatus 101 receives the data without waiting for the next beacon reception.

Next, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength.

10, the wireless communication apparatus 101 operates in the power save mode, but intermittently receives and measures the electric field strength level in synchronization with the beacon transmitted at the beacon interval (T1). At this time, since the number of electric field strength levels is set to 2, the antenna bar can be displayed in two stages at each beacon interval (T1) with respect to a change in the received electric field strength.

Next, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the first non-operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the first non-operation state, focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength.

From FIG. 11, the wireless communication apparatus 101 operates in the power save mode, but intermittently receives in synchronization with a beacon transmitted at a DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) interval (T4), and measures the electric field strength level. Do. At this time, since the number of electric field strength levels is set to 2, the antenna bar can be displayed in two stages at each DTIM interval (T4) with respect to the change in the received electric field strength.

Further, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second non-operation state focusing on the operation mode and the electric field strength is the same as that in FIG. 11 except that the electric field strength level is not displayed.

In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when there is data addressed to itself at the access point 103, the wireless communication device 101 waits for the next beacon reception and receives the data by the method prescribed in IEEE 802.11. be able to. Specifically, the wireless communication apparatus 101 determines that there is data addressed to itself from TIM (Traffic Indication Map) information set in the received beacon, and sends a predetermined transmission request packet (PS-Poll). You can send and receive data.

Next, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second operation state and the first non-operation state, focusing on the automatic scan cycle, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second operation state and the first non-operation state, focusing on the automatic scan cycle.

From FIG. 12, the wireless communication apparatus 101 transmits a probe request at the set automatic scan cycle (1 minute).

Note that the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the first operation state focusing on the automatic scan cycle is the same as that in FIG. 12 except that the active mode is set.

Next, the operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second non-operation state, focusing on the automatic scan cycle, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation between the wireless communication apparatus 101 and the access point 103 in the second non-operation state, focusing on the automatic scan period.

From FIG. 13, the wireless communication apparatus 101 transmits a probe request at the set automatic scan cycle (5 minutes).

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the wireless communication device 101 in a state where the casing of the wireless communication device 101 is closed, and FIG. 15 is an appearance of the wireless communication device 101 in a state where the casing of the wireless communication device 101 is opened. FIG.

The wireless communication apparatus 101 includes an input unit 204 and a display unit 207 that are exposed to the outside in a state where the housing is closed and a state where the housing is opened. In addition, the wireless communication apparatus 101 includes an opening / closing part 1401 such as a hinge part. The opening / closing part 1401 connects the upper housing 1501 and the lower housing 1502 so as to be rotatable. In addition, the wireless communication apparatus 101 includes an opening / closing detection unit 203 that detects opening / closing of the opening / closing unit 1401.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an electric field strength level table stored in the reception quality determination unit 202. In the field strength level table, different field strength ranges are set depending on whether the number of field strength levels is four or two. Therefore, the radio communication apparatus 101 can change the display change frequency in the display unit 207 of the antenna indicating the electric field strength level by selecting the number of electric field strength levels according to the user state.

In such a wireless communication apparatus 101, the interval of intermittent reception can be optimized according to the user's condition. For example, assuming a telephone application, when the user is operating the wireless communication apparatus 101, the user can be notified immediately when there is an incoming call by shortening the interval of intermittent reception. In addition, when the user is not operating the mobile terminal, it is possible to lengthen the time for turning off the power supply of the communication circuit by lengthening the intermittent reception cycle, thereby reducing power consumption. . That is, according to the state of the user, the interval of intermittent reception is dynamically changed and set to an optimum value, so that it is possible to have quick response and suppress power consumption.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the power consumption does not increase more than necessary, so that the power consumption can be reliably reduced. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the frequency of changing the display of the electric field strength level can be changed by changing the number of electric field strength levels according to the state of the user, so the display of the electric field strength level is changed. The power consumption that accompanies this can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the operation of the wireless LAN is controlled according to the opening / closing of the casing and the presence / absence of the operation of the input unit. The operation of the wireless LAN can be controlled according to the detection result of any user operation other than the above. In this embodiment, the field strength level is used as the reception quality. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any measurement value other than the field strength level can be used as the reception quality. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the wireless LAN is controlled in the case of state changes (E300) to (E307). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and state changes (E300) to In addition to the case of (E307), when the state changes from the first non-operation state to the second non-operation state, when the state changes from the first operation state to the second non-operation state, The operation of the wireless LAN may be controlled also when the state changes from the operation state to the first non-operation state and when the state changes from the second operation state to the first non-operation state.

The disclosure of the specification, drawings, and abstract included in the Japanese application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-190137 filed on July 23, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference.

The wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for reducing power consumption in a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN.

Claims (14)

Wireless communication means for performing communication using a wireless line;
Detecting means for detecting a user operation;
Control means for controlling the wireless communication means according to the detection result of the detection means;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: The detection means detects a first operation for changing the housing from an open state to a closed state.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1. The control means sets the wireless communication means to a power saving mode when the detection means detects the first operation;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. The wireless communication means communicates with a wireless LAN access point,
The control means intermittently activates the wireless communication means in synchronization with a transmission interval of a beacon transmitted from the access point when the detection means detects the first operation.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. In the closed state, the control means is more effective when the detection means does not detect a second operation on the operation key within a predetermined time than when the detection means detects the second operation. Increase the interval,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4. Reception quality measuring means for measuring reception quality;
Display means for changing and displaying the measured reception quality according to the change, and
The control means stops the measurement when the detection means detects the first operation;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. The wireless communication means intermittently searches for a wireless LAN access point capable of communication, communicates with the access point found by the search,
The control means makes the search cycle longer when the detection means detects the first operation than when the detection means does not detect the first operation.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. Reception quality measuring means for measuring reception quality;
Display means for changing and displaying the measured reception quality according to the change, and
The control means reduces the frequency of change of the display when the detection means detects the first operation compared to when the detection means does not detect the first operation.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. The detecting means detects a second operation on the operation key;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1. The control means sets the wireless communication means to a power saving mode when the detection means does not detect the second operation within a predetermined time.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9. The wireless communication means communicates with a wireless LAN access point,
The control means, when the detection means does not detect the second operation within a predetermined time, intermittently activate the wireless communication means in synchronization with a transmission interval of beacons transmitted from the access point,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9. Reception quality measuring means for measuring reception quality;
Display means for changing and displaying the measured reception quality according to the change, and
The control means stops the measurement when the detection means does not detect the second operation within a predetermined time;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9. The wireless communication means intermittently searches for a wireless LAN access point capable of communication, communicates with the access point found by the search,
The control means makes the search cycle longer when the detection means does not detect the second operation within a predetermined time than when the detection means detects the second operation.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9. Reception quality measuring means for measuring reception quality;
Display means for changing and displaying the measured reception quality according to the change, and
The control means reduces the frequency of change of the display when the detection means does not detect the second operation within a predetermined time compared to when the detection means detects the second operation,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9.

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