JP2001285946A - Wireless communication system and wireless communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a wireless communication system capable of performing call switching during communication using position information of a wireless communication device. SOLUTION: A wireless telephone device (105 to 10) during a call is provided.
7) Generates a call switching request including information for specifying a wireless area where a wireless facsimile apparatus whose call is to be switched is located. The private branch exchange 101 identifies a radio facsimile apparatus (109a, 109b) located in the designated area from the position information held by the control unit 101a and calls it. If there is a response from the called radio facsimile apparatus, the call is disconnected from the radio telephone apparatus which generated the call switching request, and the call is connected to the radio facsimile apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless data communication device capable of performing data communication such as facsimile by connecting to a wireless channel, a wireless telephone device capable of talking, and positional information of the wireless data communication device and the wireless telephone device. The present invention relates to a network having a location information database that can register and refer to the information, and a wireless communication system including the network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, wireless portable telephones and PHS (Personal
al Handy-Phone System) The popularity of telephones is remarkable, and each person has more than one handset. Since the user can carry the wireless telephone device with them,
It is possible to place a call or receive a call anywhere and have a conversation with the wireless telephone device, which is very convenient.

[0003] PHS is not only used as a simple portable telephone for telephone calls, but also has good line quality and is suitable for digital data transmission. Therefore, a method of using data communication using a PHS wireless channel has been proposed.

Further, PDC (Personal Digital Cellula)
r) Japanese wireless mobile phone using the PHS communication speed is PHS
Slower, but data communication is possible.

[0005] Future wireless portable telephones include, for example, CDs.
Several wireless systems applying the MA (Code Division Multiple Access) system have been proposed, and some have already started services. In this case, high-speed data communication with a wider bandwidth is expected.

In a system using these wireless devices, especially a PHS system, a PHS terminal device and a wireless communication device are stored in a location information database connected to a common signal network of a public network or a location information database in an exchange of a private network. By registering the identification information of the located wireless base station,
Registering location information of wireless device. Therefore,
It is possible to perform various processes using the position information.

[0007] For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-42370, the master unit registers the current position of the portable telephone terminal as a slave unit with the control station as being located in the position registration area of the master unit.

On the other hand, a facsimile apparatus, which is typically a data communication apparatus connected to a public line and capable of communicating with the inside and outside of the premises, is quite popular, and can easily transmit and receive originals. Absent.

[0009] Further, as a communication device, applications for connecting an information processing terminal such as a personal computer to a telephone line via a modem or the like and transmitting and receiving data and files on the personal computer have been increasing.

A typical function of a facsimile machine is as follows.
There is a function that incorporates a telephone function or connects an external telephone to use in conjunction with the facsimile function. Specifically, a call is made from the built-in telephone or external telephone to the other party, or the other party receives a call from the other party, picks up the telephone, talks with the other party, and operates the facsimile machine without disconnecting the line after the call When a facsimile transmission / reception is executed with the other party's device, or when a call is received from the other party and the call is received by the telephone once, if the other party is a facsimile, the facsimile is operated immediately and the facsimile image is displayed. It is possible to receive.

A similar function has been proposed for a data communication function by a personal computer. For example,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84113 discloses a radio system in which when a call is received by a slave telephone, the line can be easily switched to the slave communication terminal (personal computer) even if the calling side is a communication terminal (facsimile machine). A communication system is disclosed.

[0012]

However, a wireless data communication apparatus which connects to a wireless base station via a wireless channel for each wireless area and performs data communication such as facsimile, etc.
A wireless telephone device having a data communication function such as an HS or a mobile telephone device, and a network having a plurality of wireless base stations and having a position information database that can register and refer to position information of the wireless data communication device and the wireless telephone device In a wireless communication system configured as described above, for example, when a conversation is performed using a PHS terminal and then the call is reconnected to the facsimile apparatus and facsimile communication is performed, or a call received by the PHS terminal is transmitted by facsimile communication. Therefore, when the call is reconnected to the facsimile apparatus and facsimile communication is performed, there is no particular means for connecting to the facsimile apparatus using the position information of the facsimile apparatus.

[0013] Even if an attempt is made to apply the method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84113, it is sufficient if there is only one local wireless base station (master unit). There is no means to use location information.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-191453, when a user of a PDA designates a printing device by referring to position information of the printing device, document data of the PDA is printed out by the designated printing device. But this is PD
This is an example of a data communication method between A and the printing apparatus, and does not satisfy the above requirements.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-222527, when a user of a PDA designates an output destination by referring to output destination position information of search data searched in a database, the search data is output at the specified output destination. However, this is an example of a communication method between a database and a search data output destination, and does not satisfy the above-mentioned requirement as in the example of JP-A-10-191453.

The present invention has a radio communication device that performs data communication by connecting to a radio base station provided for each radio area by a radio channel, and has a position information database that can register and refer to position information of the radio communication device. In a wireless communication system, it is an object to provide a wireless communication system and a wireless communication device that can easily switch a call to another wireless communication device during communication.

[0017]

That is, the gist of the present invention is provided for each of a plurality of wireless areas,
A wireless base station that communicates with a wireless communication device that exists in a corresponding wireless area via a wireless channel, and a control station that has position information database means that stores position information of the wireless communication device that exists in each wireless area. A wireless communication system having a wireless communication system, wherein the control station uses a call switching request detecting means for detecting a call switching request generated during communication by the wireless communication device, And a switching unit that switches a call currently being communicated to the switching destination wireless communication device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication apparatus used in the wireless communication system of the present invention, wherein a call switching request generating means for generating a call switching request; A wireless communication apparatus characterized by having dedicated input means for instructing the generating means.

Another aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication apparatus used in the wireless communication system of the present invention, wherein a call switching request generating means for generating a call switching request and a determining means are provided for the wireless communication apparatus at the switching destination. And a dedicated input means for instructing the call switching request generating means and the specifying information generating means to generate a call switching request including the specifying information. Wireless communication device.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings using a preferred embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This wireless communication system includes a private branch exchange 101, a private wireless base station 102,
3, 104, wireless telephone devices 105, 106, 107, a wired facsimile device 108, and wireless facsimile devices 109a, 109b. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication system is the PHS system, but may be another system having a location information registration and search function.

Here, the private branch exchange 101 is connected to an outside line (public network) 110, and is connected between extension-connected terminal devices within the premises, or between an extension-connected terminal device and an external terminal device within the premises. Data communications such as telephone calls and facsimile are possible. Further, the private branch exchange 101 is connected to the private wireless base stations 102, 103 and 104 by wire. The private branch exchange 101 has a control unit 101a, and registers and manages position information of all devices connected to the private branch exchange in a position information database of the control unit 101a.

Each of the wireless base stations 102 to 104 has a wireless area to which the wireless base station 102 is assigned. The wireless base station 102 has a wireless area A (111), the wireless base station 103 has a wireless area B (112), and the wireless base station 104 has a wireless area. Wireless area C (1
13). Each wireless base station serves as a wireless base station for wireless telephone devices 105, 106, 107 and wireless facsimile devices 109a, 109b in their respective wireless areas.
The relay between these terminals and the private branch exchange 101 is performed, and the radio telephone device and the radio facsimile device can operate as extension terminals on the premises.

Although FIG. 1 shows only three wireless telephone devices, two wireless facsimile devices, and only one wired facsimile device, it goes without saying that more than three devices can be provided. Each internal configuration is the same.

Each wireless telephone device and each facsimile device have their identification numbers, and the wireless telephone device 105
= # 4, wireless telephone device 106 = # 5, wireless telephone device 10
7 = # 6, facsimile machine 109a = # 1, facsimile machine 109b = # 2, facsimile machine 108 = #
3 is assumed. Based on the information, the private branch exchange 101 registers and stores the position information of each terminal device.

FIG. 2 shows a control unit 101a of the private branch exchange 101.
1 is an example of a database table stored in a position information database of the present invention. That is, the private branch exchange 101 creates a database table as shown in FIG. 2 based on the information sent from each wireless base station. By referring to this database table, it is possible to recognize which device is located in each area.

For example, in the case of the table shown in FIG. 2, the radio facsimile apparatus 109b is located in the radio area A.
(# 2) and that the wireless telephone device 105 (# 4) is currently located can be known. Even if each of the radio facsimile apparatus and the radio telephone apparatus moves, the radio base station transmits the information to the private branch exchange 101, so that the private branch exchange 101 rewrites and updates the location registration database table each time. , You can always keep up to date information.

In this embodiment, the private branch exchange 101
Has the position information of each wireless area 111-113. That is, it is assumed that the distance relationship between the respective wireless areas is stored in the control unit 101a as a wireless area position database table. This location database table is registered when the private branch exchange 101 is installed, and is re-registered when the wireless base station moves or is newly installed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the wireless area position database table. In the case of FIG. 3, the closest wireless area of the wireless area A is B, and the far area is C. Also, the wireless area location database table contains:
Information for identifying a wireless area where a wired facsimile apparatus is located nearby is also registered. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the wired facsimile 108 is installed near the wireless area A (111). The information to that effect is registered in the column of the wireless area A in the wireless area position database table shown.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless telephone device (PHS terminal) applicable to the system of FIG. The wireless telephone device includes a microphone 201 for inputting and outputting audio, a speaker 202, and an ADPC for transmitting an audio signal input from the microphone 201 through a wireless communication channel.
An ADPCM codec 20 for converting into M code or converting received ADPCM code audio data into an analog signal for output from speaker 202
3. Channel codec 204 for converting voice data or information data into data compatible with the PHS communication system, or extracting received data as voice data or information data, and wireless communication with wireless base stations 102, 103, and 104. Communication unit 205 composed of an antenna 206 and electric elements for operation, and a plurality of key switches 21 for operation
0, a display unit 211 composed of an LCD or LED for the user to check the state of the wireless telephone device, a CPU 207 for controlling the entire wireless telephone device, a program and parameters for operating the CPU 207 and controlling the entire wireless telephone device And a RAM 209 for temporarily storing parameters for controlling the entire wireless telephone device and for temporarily storing data to be transmitted and received, and may be equivalent to a generally used PHS wireless terminal.

However, the operation key 210 is provided with a special key "call switching" key for operating a call switching request.
When a user presses a “call switching” key while a call is being connected with the wireless telephone devices 105, 106, and 107,
In order to reconnect the call to the facsimile apparatus, it is preferable that the wireless telephone apparatuses 105, 106, and 107 output a "call switching" request to the private branch exchange 101. Here, it is preferable that the user can input information on the wireless area where the facsimile apparatus is located at the same time as pressing the "call switching" key, so that the user can input information when necessary.

FIG. 5 shows a radio facsimile apparatus 109a,
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 109b. Here, the radio facsimile apparatuses 109a and 109b may be modified so that data communication by the PHS method can be performed with a facsimile apparatus generally used widely. That is, a CPU 301 for controlling the device, a ROM 302 for storing a program for controlling the device, parameters and data necessary for the operation of the CPU 301 and the device, and image data and data files to be transmitted and received, character code format data, and the like. An operation panel 304 for operating the apparatus to specify the operation of the apparatus and displaying the state of the apparatus, and a reading unit 30 for reading a facsimile transmission original or a copy original as a color image or a monochrome image.
5. A recording unit 306 for printing out a facsimile reception original, a copy original, or a file original in color or black and white, control and control of a communication protocol for facsimile transmission / reception, control of signal modulation / demodulation, and public communication such as PSTN and ISDN. In addition to a communication control unit 307 that connects to the line 308 and performs call control, call detection, and the like, converts information data into data compatible with the PHS communication method.
Alternatively, a channel codec 309 for extracting received data as information data, the wireless base stations 102 and 10
, A wireless communication unit 310 composed of an electrical element and a communication control unit 3
07 to convert the analog signal input from the modem into an ADPCM code for transmission over a wireless communication channel, or to convert the received ADPCM code data into an analog signal for input to the modem. ADPCM Codec 312
It consists of.

Here, when performing facsimile communication,
ADP in the mode of transmitting and receiving facsimile data as a digital signal (eg, G4 facsimile mode)
The CM codec 312 does not need to be used. However, when facsimile data such as G3 facsimile mode is modulated and demodulated and transmitted / received as an analog signal.
It needs to be converted into a code, and performs facsimile transmission and reception via the ADPCM codec 312.

Alternatively, when two PHS wireless channels can be used simultaneously, the analog signal to be transmitted by facsimile is converted to a 64 kbps μ / A-law PCM code, and the received facsimile μ / A-law PCM code is converted to an analog signal. Since the conversion is performed, a μ / A-law PCM codec is used instead of the ADPCM codec 312.

Here, the private branch exchange 10 is connected via radio.
1 is connected to P in the communication control unit 307.
The function of connecting to the public line 308 such as STN or ISDN to perform call control and call detection may not be required.

Although the configuration of the stand-alone facsimile apparatus has been described here, any apparatus having a facsimile communication function can be applied.
For example, a facsimile apparatus realized by mounting hardware having a communication function and application software having a facsimile function on an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer may be used. Alternatively, a device having a facsimile function in an input / output device such as a copier, a printer, and a scanner may be used.

In the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the wired facsimile apparatus 108 is connected to the private branch exchange 101 via a wired connection. That is, the facsimile apparatus 108 can perform facsimile communication with the extension terminal apparatus or with an external facsimile apparatus on the premises by the private branch exchange 101. Its internal configuration is the same as the block diagram of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.
7 and the private branch exchange 101 via a line 308, a channel codec 309, a wireless communication unit 310,
The antenna 311 may not be provided. That is, the facsimile device 108 may be located outside the wireless area of any wireless base station.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the operation of each device and the signal sequence between each device in the wireless communication system in this embodiment, FIG. 7 shows the operation of the wireless telephone device, and FIG. 8 shows the operation of the private branch exchange. It will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the operation of the wireless telephone device 107 will be described as a representative of each of the wireless telephone devices.

Here, since the wireless telephone device moves, its location registration is performed each time it moves or when a call is made. Since the wireless facsimile machine does not move in this case, the location registration is performed once at the time of installation. In the case of a movable wireless facsimile apparatus, the location registration may be performed each time the apparatus moves or at the time of calling. Then, as shown in FIG.
Is located in the wireless area C, the wireless facsimile apparatus 109a is located in the wireless area B, and the wireless facsimile apparatus 109b is located in the wireless area A.
Is registered in the position registration database table of the control unit 101a.

(Call Switching Operation) Next, the call switching operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 showing the operation of the wireless telephone device and the private branch exchange. The processing shown in FIG.
The U207 is performed by executing an operation control program of the CPU 207 stored in the ROM 208. Similarly, the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed by the control unit 101a inside the private branch exchange 101 using a CPU (not shown).

(Operation of Radiotelephone) First, the operation of the radiotelephone will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 and the flowchart of FIG. In step S501, the wireless telephone device 107 determines that a call is being connected. That is, the wireless telephone device 107 is connected to the wireless area C (11
3) is connected to a wireless channel with the wireless base station 104 in response to an outgoing call or an incoming call, and is connected through the private branch exchange 101 to either a local terminal device or a local external terminal device. And make a call.
In this state, communication of the call signal 41 is performed between the wireless telephone device 107 and the terminal device during a call. Then, in step S502, it is detected whether or not a call switching operation has been performed, for example, by pressing the above-described “call switching” key.

The call switching occurs when the user of the wireless telephone device 107 needs to reconnect the call to the facsimile device. Specifically, the connection is established after the wireless telephone device 107 receives the incoming call. However, when no sound or a CNG signal is heard from the speaker 202 because the other party is a facsimile machine, the user understands that the caller wants to perform facsimile transmission and receives the facsimile in order to receive the facsimile.
If the user wants to reconnect the call to the facsimile apparatus and perform facsimile reception, or if he wants to reconnect the call to the facsimile apparatus and perform facsimile transmission or facsimile reception after talking with the other party using the wireless telephone device 107, etc. Can be considered.

The call switching operation is performed by the operation key 2 as described above.
10, a special key for performing a call switching request operation;
This is done by pressing the "call switching" key. At this time, if necessary, the wireless area identification information where the wireless facsimile apparatus 109a to which the call is transferred is also input. The wireless area identification information to be input is the identification number (CS-ID) of the wireless base station forming the wireless area to be identified. Here, the wireless area specifying information need not be input.

In step S502, when a call switching operation is performed by the above-described method, in step S503, wireless telephone device 107 outputs call switching request signal 42 to private branch exchange 101. Here, the call switching request signal is transmitted from the associated control channel (A) based on the TDMA / TDD system.
CCH; Associated Control Channel, specifically FAC
CH; Fast ACCH or SACCH; Sl
ow ACCH), which is a command data indicating a call switching request, and includes wireless area identification information data when input by the wireless telephone device 107.

Wireless area C where wireless telephone 107 is located
The radio base station 104 in charge of (113) receives this call switching request signal and outputs it to the private branch exchange 101. At this time, if necessary, the radio base station 104 converts the call switching request signal into a format suitable for transmission to the private branch exchange.

When the private branch exchange 101 receives the call switching request signal from the radio base station 104, the private branch exchange 101 refers to the location information database of the control unit 101a to call the facsimile apparatus (1).
09a), and outputs the calling signal 43 to the radio base station 103 in the area where the selected facsimile apparatus is located to call the facsimile apparatus 109a. The facsimile machine 109a responds to the call with a response signal 4
4 is output from the private branch exchange 101 to the wireless telephone device 1
In step S07, the identification information of the called facsimile machine and the "connection information" signal 45 indicating that the called facsimile machine has responded are transmitted. Here, the “connection information” signal is also TD
The data signal uses an associated control channel based on the MA / TDD method.

The wireless telephone device 107 executes the step S504.
In step S505, when the "connection information" signal is received, it is analyzed (step S505).
Output in a format that allows the user to determine the connection. For example, a message is output on the LCD of the display unit 211,
LED blinks and lights up. "Connection information"
When the identification information of the selected facsimile apparatus and the information indicating that the called facsimile apparatus responded, when facsimile # 1 specifically called and responded, "facsimile # 1 response" or the like was used. When the selected facsimile apparatus is called up and does not respond for some reason, the information is received as a "connection information" signal, so that "facsimile # 1 non-response" or the like is displayed. It is also possible to configure.

In this way, the user of radio telephone apparatus 107 can identify the facsimile apparatus called by exchange 101 and can easily identify whether or not the called facsimile apparatus has answered.

On the other hand, in step S503, the timer count is started after outputting the "call switching request" signal, and if a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the "connection information" signal in step S504, a timeout occurs in step S507. The process proceeds to step S510 without outputting “connection information”.

When the called facsimile apparatus responds, the private branch exchange 101 must reconnect the call to which the wireless telephone apparatus 107 is connected to the facsimile apparatus after transmitting the "connection information" signal. A call disconnection signal (DISCONNECT) 46 is sent to the wireless telephone device 107.

Upon outputting the "connection information" in step S506, radio telephone 107 enters a state of waiting for reception of call disconnection signal 46 (steps S508 and S51).
0). Upon receiving the call disconnection signal from the wireless base station 103 in step S508, the process proceeds to step S509.

In step S509, the release signal (RELEASE) 47 and the release completion signal (RELE
ASE COMPLETE) 48 to the wireless telephone device 10
7. The call is disconnected by exchanging between the wireless base stations 103, and the operation is terminated.

On the other hand, while waiting for the reception of the call disconnection signal 46, the wireless telephone device 107 monitors whether or not a stop key (or a key to which the function is assigned) among the operation keys 210 is pressed (step S510). . When the pressing of the stop key is detected, the wireless telephone device 107 immediately transmits a call disconnection signal to the wireless base station 103. Similarly, in step S509, the signals 47 and 48 indicating release and release completion are transmitted to the radio telephone device 107 and the radio base station 10 respectively.
The call is disconnected by exchanging between the three, and the operation is terminated. However, when the call is disconnected by the stop key, the signal transmission / reception directions of disconnection, release, and release completion after "connection information output" in the sequence shown in FIG. 6 are all reversed.

In the present embodiment, if the called facsimile machine does not respond, since "connection information" cannot be received within a predetermined time, a timeout occurs in step S507, and the process proceeds to step S510. However, time-out processing is not performed for the reception of the call disconnection signal.
As long as the stop key 10 is not detected, the call remains connected and the talkable state continues.

(Operation of Private Branch Exchange) Next, the operation of the private branch exchange 101 in the call switching processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 and the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step S601, first, the wireless telephone device 1
07 and a call switching request signal 4 via the radio base station 103.
2 is monitored. Upon detecting a receipt,
In step S602, the received call switching request signal 4
Analyze 2.

Then, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the information for specifying the position of the facsimile device to be connected by the call switching, specifically, the radio area specifying information where the facsimile device is located is included in the call switching request signal 42. Find out. If the wireless area identification information is not included, in step S604, the private branch exchange 10
Reference numeral 1 refers to the location information database of the control unit 101a to select a facsimile apparatus in an area closest to the wireless telephone apparatus 107 which has sent the call switching request signal 42.

Specifically, the wireless telephone device 107 (# 6)
Has sent the call switching request signal, the wireless telephone device 107 (# 6) is referred to the location registration database of FIG.
Is identified as the wireless area C (113). Then, first, the wireless area C (113)
Search for a facsimile machine in the system. If there is, the facsimile apparatus is selected. However, in this case, the wireless area closest to the wireless area C (113) is searched with reference to the wireless area position database table of FIG. ). Referring again to the location registration database table in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus located in the wireless area B (112) is the wireless facsimile apparatus 109a (#
1) is identified. The private branch exchange 101 selects the wireless facsimile apparatus 109a (# 1) based on the identification result.

If the wireless telephone device that sent the call switching signal is the wireless telephone device 105 (# 4) or the wireless telephone device 106
In the case of (# 5), since the facsimile apparatus is located in the same wireless area, the private branch exchange 101 can identify it, and the respective wireless facsimile apparatuses 109b (#
2) or the wireless facsimile apparatus 109a (# 1).

If no facsimile machine exists in the wireless area A (111) or in the wireless area closest to the wireless area A (111), the facsimile apparatus closest to the wireless area A (111) is the wired facsimile apparatus 108.
If the wireless telephone device that has sent the call switching signal is the wireless telephone device 105 (# 4) as shown in FIG. Selects the wired facsimile machine 108.

If two or more facsimile apparatuses exist in the same wireless area apparatus or the closest wireless area apparatus, priority is given to each facsimile apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus is selected from those having the highest priority. Is also good. Even when there are two or more closest wireless areas, priority may be given to each wireless area.

On the other hand, if the wireless area identification information where the facsimile machine is located is included in step S603, the private branch exchange 101 determines in step S605 the wireless area within the wireless area identified with reference to the location registration database table of FIG. Select a facsimile machine.

More specifically, a search is first made to determine whether or not a facsimile machine exists in the specified wireless area, and if so, the facsimile machine is selected. For example, if the specified wireless area is the wireless area A (111), the wireless facsimile apparatus 109b is selected, and if the specified wireless area is the wireless area B (112), the wireless facsimile apparatus 109b is selected.
Select a.

Also in this case, when two or more facsimile apparatuses exist in the same wireless area apparatus, priority may be given to each facsimile apparatus and the facsimile apparatus may be selected from those having higher priorities.

Then, in step S606, private branch exchange 101 outputs a calling signal 43 to the radio base station in the radio area where the selected facsimile device is located, and calls the selected facsimile device. That is, the private branch exchange 101 identifies the extension number of the selected facsimile machine and calls the facsimile machine through the wireless base station 103. Here, it is assumed that the radio facsimile apparatus 109a is selected and called. Here, the database may be directly managed by an extension number.

Radio facsimile apparatus 109a receives the call by antenna 311 and radio communication section 310 of FIG. 5 and connects the call if the call can be answered, that is, if facsimile communication is possible after receiving the call. A response signal (CONNECT) 44 is returned to the private branch exchange 101.

In step S607, private branch exchange 101 waits for response signal 44 from called radio facsimile apparatus 109a for a predetermined time. Response signal 44 in time
Is received, the private branch exchange 101 recognizes that the radio facsimile apparatus 109a is in a state where it can receive and connect to the call. Then, in step S608, a response signal 4 is sent to the wireless telephone device 107 which has transmitted the "call switching" request signal.
Then, a "connection information" signal 45 including the information No. 4 is transmitted. Here, the “connection information” signal 45 is a data signal using an associated control channel based on the TDMA / TDD system.

Then, in step S609, the information channel and the call connected to the wireless telephone device 107 are disconnected. That is, the private branch exchange 101 is connected to the wireless telephone device 10.
7 is disconnected, the call disconnection signal 46 is further transmitted through the wireless base station 104, and in response to this, the wireless telephone device 107 transmits the release signal 47,
The private branch exchange 101 sends the release completion signal 48 to complete the disconnection of the call to the wireless telephone device 107.

Then, in step S610, private branch exchange 101 completes the connection of the call to radio facsimile apparatus 109a and connects the information channel. That is, the private branch exchange 101 sends a response confirmation signal (CONNECT ACKN).
OWLEDGE) 49 is a wireless facsimile apparatus 109a.
Through the wireless base station 103 to connect the information channel. During the above-described call switching operation, the private branch exchange 101 maintains this connection state with the terminal device on the other side.

Thus, the radio facsimile apparatus 109a is in a state where the call and the information channel are connected, and normal facsimile communication can be performed.

That is, when nothing is set, such as when there is no original in the reading unit 305 of the wireless facsimile apparatus 109 or no image data is stored in the RAM 303, the automatic facsimile receiving operation is executed and the facsimile receiving operation is executed. When a transmission original is set in the unit 305, transmission image data is stored in the RAM 303, or the like, a polling transmission mode is set, and a facsimile transmission operation is performed.

On the other hand, the private branch exchange 101 executes step S6.
At 07, the called radio facsimile machine 109
If the response signal 44 from the “a” is not received within a predetermined time, the “call switching” request signal 4
A “connection information” signal 45 including information of “non-response” is transmitted to the wireless telephone device 107 that has transmitted “2”. Then, the information channel and the call to be connected to the wireless telephone device 107 are connected as they are. By doing so, the wireless telephone device 107
Can continue talking with the other party.

Here, private branch exchange 101 transmits a response confirmation signal to radio facsimile apparatus 109a after transmission / reception of release signal 47 and release completion signal 48 to / from radio telephone apparatus 107, but radio facsimile apparatus 109a
Immediately after receiving the response signal 44 from the
7, a response confirmation signal 49 may be transmitted to the radio facsimile apparatus 109a.

Here, the private branch exchange 101 disconnects the information channel and the call of the radio telephone device 107 and then connects to the radio facsimile device 109a.
Before disconnecting the information channel or the call, the information channel or the call of the wireless telephone device 107 may be disconnected after the call or the information channel is connected to the radio facsimile apparatus 109a.

Here, the private branch exchange 101 transmits the "connection information" signal 45 to the radio telephone device 107 after receiving the response signal 44 from the radio facsimile device 109a. After connecting the channel, the wireless telephone device 107 may be called to reconnect the channel between the wireless telephone device 107 and the private branch exchange 101, and the "connection information" signal 45 may be transmitted.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, in the radio communication system including the facsimile apparatus, the radio telephone apparatus, and the private branch exchange connected to the radio base station of the private network, When a user operates the wireless telephone device to connect the call to the wireless facsimile device while the call is connected to an extension or an outside line, the private branch exchange receives the request and the private branch exchange is in the designated wireless area or the nearest one. Since the call can be connected to the facsimile apparatus in the wireless area, when the user of the wireless telephone apparatus wants to perform the facsimile communication as it is on the same connected call, the user can use the specified wireless area or most. Facsimile transmission or reception can be easily performed by a facsimile apparatus in a nearby wireless area.

(First Modification of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a special "call switching" key provided on the operation key 210 of the wireless telephone device is pressed, and if necessary, the call transfer destination is changed. By pressing the key of the identification information of the wireless area where the facsimile apparatus is located, the wireless telephone apparatus 107 has identified that the call switching operation has been performed.

However, a special key for call switching is not always necessary. In this case, the configuration may be such that a combination of operation keys originally provided in the wireless telephone device or call switching can be selected from an operation menu. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, an operation menu including a call switching process is displayed by pressing a “menu” key, for example, by using a numeric key (not shown) and a display unit 211 normally provided in the wireless telephone device. , A call switching process can be selected from a menu. Then, a menu including the wireless area information input of the facsimile machine to which the call is transferred is presented as a submenu of the call switching process, and when the wireless area information input is selected, the designated input state of the wireless area is displayed.

Upon receiving the designation information of the wireless area, the radio telephone device 107 outputs a “call switching” request including the designation information to the private branch exchange 101.

In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to add a special key to the wireless telephone device, the wireless telephone device 10
7 can be easily realized only by changing the program included in the ROM 208 of the existing PHS terminal.

(Modification 2 of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example in which a special key, a “call switching” key is provided as the operation key 210 of the wireless telephone device 107, The radio telephone device 107 identifies that the call switching operation has been performed by selecting the call switching menu by using the operation keys and the display unit of the radio telephone device 1.
07 is provided with a voice recognition function so that the user can use, for example, “Call transfer X
When the voice is input to the microphone 201 as "No. X", the wireless telephone device 107 analyzes the information by the voice recognition function so that it can recognize that the call transfer function is selected, and the call is connected by the wireless telephone device 107. When the user inputs the above-mentioned voice while the telephone is in operation, the wireless telephone device 107 outputs a "call switching" request to the private branch exchange 101.

In this case, the voice recognition processing can be realized by adding a program for voice recognition processing to the ROM 208 of the wireless telephone device 107 or by adding hardware for voice recognition.

When selecting the facsimile apparatus in the nearest wireless area, there is no need to input wireless area identification information. In that case, the microphone 20 is called "call transfer".
All you have to do is enter 1. That is, there is no unnecessary key operation, so that it is possible to obtain a radio telephone device that can perform a more convenient call switching operation.

(Modification 3 of First Embodiment) It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a call is directly input to a facsimile apparatus in the nearest radio area by a radio telephone apparatus. In this case, a special key for instructing to connect the call to the facsimile apparatus in the wireless area closest to the operation key 210 of the wireless telephone apparatus is provided, or as shown in FIG. A menu is provided for designating the facsimile machine in the closest wireless area as the call switching destination. When the key or the menu is selected, the wireless telephone device generates a call switching request signal so as to include the information of “selection of the facsimile device in the nearest wireless area” and transmits it to the private branch exchange 101.

When the private branch exchange 101 detects the information when analyzing the call switching signal, the private branch exchange 101 refers to the database table and immediately selects the facsimile apparatus in the closest wireless area.

In other words, the user of the wireless telephone device can perform an input for selecting a facsimile device in the closest wireless area when performing a call switching operation, and can select an optimal facsimile device, which is more convenient. A wireless communication system can be obtained.

[0085]

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, each wireless area and one wireless base station correspond one-to-one, and the database table of the private branch exchange 101 has been described to handle each wireless area as one unit. Base stations may be grouped to form one wireless area.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which data communication is performed by reconnecting a call to a wireless data communication device such as a facsimile without disconnecting the call from the wireless telephone device performing the call. The call may be reconnected from the first wireless data communication device performing the first data communication to the second wireless data communication device performing the second data communication to perform the second data communication. In this case, the first data communication and the second data communication may be the same.

In the above embodiment, an example of a private network constituted by a private branch exchange has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a public network. In this case, the location information database exists in the common signaling network of the public network, and the operations and signal flows are the same only when the private branch exchange in the above-described embodiment is replaced with the public network or the carrier network.

In addition to the method of the above embodiment, the GPS
The present invention may be applied by registering position information of each terminal device using a (Global Positioning System) method.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIG. 7 and / or FIG. 8).

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a wireless communication device having a wireless communication device that performs data communication by connecting to a wireless base station provided for each wireless area via a wireless channel, and a wireless communication system that has a positional information database in which positional information of the wireless communication device can be registered and referenced. Thus, a wireless communication system and a wireless communication device that can easily switch a call to another wireless communication device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a location registration database table included in a control unit 101a in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless area position database table included in a control unit 101a in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing types and procedures of signals exchanged in the wireless communication system in the call switching processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wireless telephone device in a call switching process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the private branch exchange in the call switching processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit 211 when a call switching instruction is input according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Private branch exchange 101a Controller 102, 103, 104 Wireless base station 105, 106, 107 Wireless telephone device 108 Wired facsimile device 109a, 109b Wireless facsimile device 110 Outside line 111 Wireless area A 112 Wireless area B 113 Wireless area C 201 Microphone 202 Speaker 203, 312 ADPCM codec 204, 309 Channel codec 205, 310 Wireless communication unit 206, 311 Antenna 207, 301 CPU 208, 302 ROM 209, 303 RAM 210 Operation key 211 Display unit 304 Operation panel 305 Reading unit 306 Recording unit 307 Communication control Unit 308 lines

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 3/58 H04Q 3/58 101 5K033 H04N 1/00 7/04 F 5K049 H04Q 3/58 101 H04L 11 / 00 310B 5K067 9A001 F term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA12 AA37 AC39 AC43 AF00 BB03 5K015 HA00 5K024 AA23 CC08 CC11 DD01 DD03 GG10 5K027 AA11 AA12 HH08 5K028 AA00 BB04 CC05 DD01 H02K03 DA03 DD03H01 DA03 DD03H01 BB04 BB16 BB19 GG07 5K067 BB02 BB21 DD11 DD26 EE02 EE10 EE16 HH23 JJ35 JJ64 9A001 CC05 JJ18 KK56

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wireless base station provided corresponding to each of a plurality of wireless areas and communicating via a wireless channel with a wireless communication device existing in the corresponding wireless area; A control station having position information database means for storing position information of the wireless communication device, wherein the control station detects a call switching request generated during communication by the wireless communication device. A call switching request detecting unit; a determining unit that determines the switching destination wireless communication apparatus to switch the connected call by using the location information database unit based on the call switching request; and the switching destination. A wireless communication system, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises a switching unit for switching the call during communication. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit further includes a specification information detecting unit configured to detect whether or not the switching request includes specification information capable of specifying the switching destination wireless communication device. If not included, the wireless communication device located in the other wireless area closest to the wireless area where the wireless communication device that has generated the call switching request using the location information database means, The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is determined as a switching destination wireless communication device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a state detecting unit configured to detect whether the switching destination wireless communication apparatus is in a communicable state, wherein the switching unit switches the wireless communication apparatus only when the switching destination wireless communication apparatus is in a communicable state. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed. 4. The designation means further comprises designation information detection means for detecting whether or not the switching request includes designation information capable of specifying the switching destination wireless communication device, wherein the designation information is The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when the wireless communication device is included, the switching destination wireless communication device is determined based on the designation information. 5. The switching destination wireless communication apparatus further comprising: state detection means for detecting whether or not the switching destination wireless communication apparatus is in a communicable state, wherein the determination means determines the switching destination wireless communication based on the designation information. When the device is in a communication disabled state, another wireless communication device close to the wireless communication device that has generated the call switching request is determined as the wireless communication device of the switching destination using the location information database unit. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the switching destination wireless communication device is a wireless facsimile device. 7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device that issues the call switching request is a wireless telephone device. 8. A wireless communication device used in the wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein said call switching request generation means generates said call switching request, and said call switching request. A dedicated input means for instructing the call switching request generation means to generate a call switching request. 9. The wireless communication device used in the wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein: the call switching request generating unit that generates the call switching request; Designation information generating means for generating designation information capable of specifying the switching destination wireless communication apparatus; and instructing the call switching request generation means and the designation information generation means to generate the call switching request including the specification information. A wireless communication device having dedicated input means for the communication.