ATAAYAAA
`
`US 20060229014A1
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0229014 Al
`Haradaetal.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 12, 2006
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC DEVICE, PRIORITY
`CONNECTION METHOD AND PRIORITY
`CONNECTION PROGRAM
`
`.
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Noriyuki Harada, Kawasaki (JP);
`Hiroshi Kanno, Kawasaki (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`STAAS & HALSEY LLP
`SUITE 700
`1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
`WASHINGTON,DC 20005 (US)
`aki
`.
`;
`(73) Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED, Kawasaki (JP)
`21)
`Appl. No.:
`11/343.291
`(21)
`Appl.
`No
`,
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jan. 31, 2006
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 12, 2005
`Nov. 8, 2005
`
`(TP) .cscesessssseccscsrsssnnnneeees 2005-114950
`(IP) weceecssesccentecssseecceneesee 2005-323867
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 7/00
`(2006.01)
`HO4M 1/00
`(52) US. CMe
`cecsccsscsssssesssenstensensen 455/412; 455/552.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Thepresent invention is comprised of a communication unit
`(short-range wireless communication unit 10) for transmit-
`ting/receiving a short-range wireless signal to/from one or
`more devices (devices 61 to 6N) with a short-range wireless
`communication function, a registration unit (database 18)
`for adding priorities to the plurality of the devices and
`registering a prioritization list representing one or more
`devicessorted by the priorities, and a control unit (processor
`8) for dynamically selecting one or more devices based on
`the prioritization list and controlling connection through the
`communication unit with the selected one or more devices.
`
`
`
`DEVICE REGISTRATION
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`\ \62—~)|SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS 622
`
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS
`
`COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`
`, YON
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION UNIT
`SON
`
`coat
`aaa
`
`NOTIFICATION UNIT
`PROCESSOR
`THEE ACCEPTANCE
`an
`
`
`
`4
`DEVICE
`DISPLAY UNIT
`26
`
`
`63“)
`[—SaORT-RANGE WIRELESS
`
`
`COMMUNICATION UNIT
`\
`
`
`NOTIFICATION UNIT
`
`
`
`
` DEVICE (CELLULAR PHONE)
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`
` a 22
`
`AUDIO INPUT UNIT
`Te MANAGEMENT
`28
`
`
`POSITION DETECTION
`
`
`
`Nr
`AUDIO OUTPUT UNIT
`30
`
`
`DATABASE
`18
`
`CONNECTION DEVICE
`
` DEVICE REGISTRATION|PRIORITIZATION Hf
`
`UNIT REGISTRATION UNIT||MANBER REGISTRATION
`182
`184
`186
`
`‘
`
`‘
`
`\
`‘
`
`624
`
`632
`
`634
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`APPLE 1098
`APPLE 1098
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 1 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`cN9
`
`9N9
`
`asvavivd
`
`NOULVYLS|53yAGAINLINA
`
`391A30NOILOINNODNOIIVHLS194YJOIAAG
`
`
`
`
`
`1d3034-
`
` LINNNOI
`
`ol9
`
`SS3TIYIM_JONVY-LYOHS
`
`
`
`LINANOILVOINAWWOO
`
`391A309z
`
`LINAAV1dS10
`
`919
`
`
`
`LINANOILd503y
`
`/NOISSIWSNVYL
`
`STNOTLYZ1L1YO1Yd
`
`
`
`LINAJONVLd500¥
`
`cog
`
`#29
`
`TINANO1VOINMINNOOSON
`
`anssLR
`SSIT3UIM_SONVY-LYOHSoo.
`LINNNO1LVD141LON
`
`
`
`
`LINNNOILVOINNWWOD4OSSI00UdJONV1d300¥YSGWNN
`
`
`
`SSITIYIMINOHdATSLJO1AIGNOILOANNOOD
`
`TINn
`
`
`
`
`
`LINNIAdNIO1anyLNAWJOVNVWANIL
`
`LINN
`
`
`
`
`
`LENANOILYOINAWWOSLINAJONVLd390V
`
`
`
`
`
`SSATdUIMJSNVY-LYOHSNOILVYLS199Y301Aad
`
`SIs
`
`CAN
`
`
`
`
`
`(ANOHdY¥1NT139)301A30
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` LINN‘0f£LINNLAdinoo1anyNOILD4130NOILISOd
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 2 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 3 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 61
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`
`FIG.3B 184
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 63
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 63
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 61
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 4 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`186
`
`186
`
`FIG.4B .
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 5 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.5
`
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 63
`
`[I
`
`I
`
`~—f,
`
`E
`
`WITHIN RADIUS OF 10m FROM POSITION
`COORDINATES OF HOME
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICAT 1! ON
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 61
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 63
`
`OTHERS (= EXCEPT WITHIN RADIUS OF 10m
`FROM POSITION COORDINATES OF HOME)
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICAT{ON
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 61
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 6 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 61
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 63
`
`
` 7:00 to 23:00
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHERS (= EXCEPT 7:00 to 23:00)
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 62
`
`SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`ADDRESS OF DEVICE 6
`{
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 7 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG./
`
`START
`
`S
`
`a
`
`SEARCH DEVICES
`(SEARCH SURROUNDING DEVICES)
`
`912
`
`REGISTER DEVICES
`(REGISTER ADDRESSES)
`
`$13
`NO 1S PRIORITIZATION
`LIST REGISTERED?
`
`
`
`REGISTER PRIORITIZATION LIST
`
`$14
`
`$15
`
` REGISTER DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`S17
`
`516
`
`
`
`REGISTER ARBITRARY DEVICE
`NUMBER N = n
`
`
`
`REGISTER N = 1
`
`END
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 8 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.8
`
`START
`
`$21
`
`READ DEVICE ADDRESSES
`
`owCoi)NO
`
`CONNECT THROUGH SHORT-RANGE
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`MEASURE RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`$24
`
`NOT REGISTERED
`
`PRIORITIZATION LIST?
`
`
`REGISTERED
`
`
`READ CONNECTION
`DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`$29
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`$26
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`DEVICES WITH HIGH PRIORITY AND
`HIGH RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`DEVICES WITH HIGH RECEIVED
`SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 9 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.9
`
`START
`
`$201
`
`READ DEVICE ADDRESSES OF
`CELLULAR PHONES
`
`$202
`
`CONNECT THROUGH SHORT-RANGE
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`$203
`
`RECEIVE RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`FROM BASE STATION, REMAINING
`BATTERY POWER AMOUNT AND PHONE
`
`CALL STATUS IN CELLULAR PHONE PRIORITIZATION LIST?
`
`$205
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`CELLULAR PHONES WITH HIGH
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL FROM BASE
`STATION OUT OF CELLULAR PHONES
`WHICH HAVE HIGH PRIORITY,
`WHICH ARE NOT AT REMAINING
`BATTERY POWER AMOUNT LEVEL
`PRONPTING CHARGE AND WHICH ARE
`NOT IN PHONE CALLING STATUS
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`
`
`CELLULAR PHONES WITH HIGH
`
`
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL FROM BASE
`
`
`STATION OUT OF CELLULAR PHONES
`
`
`WHICH ARE NOT AT THE REMAINING
`
`
`BATTERY POWER AMOUNT LEVEL
`
`
`PROMPTING CHARGE AND WHICH ARE
`
`
`NOT IN PHONE CALLING STATUS
`
`
`
`END
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 10 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.10
`
`$31
`
` 1S PRIORITIZATION
`NO
`LIST FOR EACH POSITION
`REGISTERED?
`
`$32
`
`REGISTER PRIORITIZATION LIST
`FOR EACH POSITION
`
`REGISTER DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`NO
`
`
`533
`
`
`
`
`
`REGISTER ARBITRARY DEVICE NUMBER N =n
`
`$34
`
`
`
`REGISTER N = 1
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 11 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.11
`
`START
`
`READ DEVICE ADDRESSES
`
`:
`
`CONNECT THROUGH SHORT-RANGE
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`$41
`
`942
`
`943
`
`MEASURE RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S44 PRIORITIZATION LIST
`
`
`
`NOT REGISTERED
`
`FOR EACH POSITION?
`
`
`REGISTERED
`
`
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`
`
` CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`DEVICES WITH HIGH RECEIVED
`DEVICES WITH HIGH PRIORITY AND
`
`SIGNAL LEVEL
`HIGH RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL FOR
`
`EAGH POSITION
`
`$45
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUNBER N
`
`$46
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 12 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.12
`
`IS
`PRIORITIZATION LIST
`FOR EACH TIME PERIOD
`
`
` So]
`REGISTERED
`
` 952
`
`
` S00
`
`REGISTER N = 1
`
`REGISTER PRIORITIZATION LIST
`FOR EACH TIME PERIOD
`
`$53
`
`REGISTER DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`S04
`
`REGISTER ARBITRARY DEVICE
`NUMBER N =n
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 13 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.13
`
`$61
`
`5
`
`62
`
`READ DEVICE ADDRESSES
`
`CONNECT THROUGH SHORT-RANGE
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`
`563
`
`MEASURE RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`
`
`564
`
`NOT REGISTERED
`PRIORITIZATION LIST
`FOR EACH TIME PERIOD
`
`
`$65
`
`REGISTERED
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`$67
`
`
`
`READ CONNECTION DEVICE NUMBER N
`
`
`
`
`566
` CONNEGT WITH ONE OR MORE
`
`
`CONNECT WITH ONE OR MORE
`
`DEVICES WITH HIGH RECEIVED
`DEVICES WITH HIGH PRIORITY AND
`
`
`
`SIGNAL LEVEL
`HIGH RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL FO
`
`EACH TIME PERIOD
`
`
`END
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 14 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.14
`
`
`My
`
`
`
`
`1S EVENT
` PRIORITIZATION LIST?
`
`
`3/3
` CONNECT DEPENDING ON PRIORITY
`
`
`
`AS WELL AS DEPENDING ON
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH DEVICE WITH HIGH
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`
`
`LINNNOLLYDIILONyNQ
`
`
`ZN9SS3TaUIMSONVY-LYOHSN9301A30_NO1LONNO9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LINDNOLLYOINNINWOD[ctNoLWZILIMOIdd]INOILWYLSI934JO1ARGNOIWYLS1D34YASWON)
`
`
`
`LINNNOILVYLS1938LIND
`
`gLasvaviva
`
` z
`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 15 of 33
`
`
`
`
`Z19TINNOILDIVIRNODSSITaYIMSONVY-LYOHSNOIIVHIS1994FD1AI0
`SITNOLIVZ1LIHO1Yd vl9LUNA
`
`NOILVOISILON
`
`SSITIY1MFJONVY-LYOHS
`
`
`
`LINNNOILYOINNWWODLINAFONV1d300¥
`
`
`
`SJOIASGO1NOYLOST4
`
`669SSTTRUIMFONVY-1YOHS
`
`
`
`
`
`TINANOIL¥OINAAWOO
`
`
`
`JO1AIdNOILOANNOD
`
`
`
`LINNFONV1d300¥
`
`NOTLISOd ve9LINNNOILVOIS1
`
`
`¢29LINANOFLYS!41LONYOSS300Ud
`
`ZE9LINONOILVSNANOS
`
`SS31Ia1MFONVY-1LYOHS
`
`LON
`
`
`
`AONVIdd00¥YSaWNN
`
`LINA
`
`
`
`INSAWSSVNVWAWIL
`
`LINA
`
`NOILOS150
`
`LINN
`
`16
`
`16
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 16 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`LYOINAWNODoNSS373Y1M_JONVY-LYOHS
`LINNNOI
`
`
`
`NOSASAIN)(S17NOLAWZILIYOIYd|NOLLVYLSID3y30TAA
`
`LINNNO1L¥aLS1934LIND
`
`LINN
`
`Sldsvav1vd
`
`9N9
`
`
`
`LINNNOt1Ld303Y
`
`JOIOA
`
`/NOISSIWSNVUL
`
`NO11V9141LON
`
`LINN
`
`
`
`NI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ZE9LINNNOILYSINAWHOD‘SSATda1M_JONVY-LYOHS€9'
`¥29LINANOILVD1S1LON‘
`
`
` LINDindOlany;LINNAV1dS10_Y0SSI00UdFONVLda00¥YSGWNN
`
`8¢
`
`
`
`LINANOILVYOINAKWOD
`
`
`
`SSATSYIMANOHdSTILLINMSONV1d300V
`
`
`
`ASTTNOLLVZELIYOTYd
`
`
`
`401AddNOtLOSNNOO
`
`
`
`
`
`LVOINAAWODAS)SS3T3MIMSONVY-1YOHSLINANOI
`
`
`
`
`
`SSHTEYIMJONVY-LYOHS
`
`Z19TINANOLLVOINNAWOO
`
`919/NOISStWSNVSL
`
`LINDNOI1d304u
`35TOA(NO!L¥O141LON
`
`91Sila
`
`
`
`
`
`(ANOHd4¥1N1139)391AS0
`
`
`
`
`
`SSITS41MJINVY-LYOHSNOILVdLSi949Y301Aa0
`LINNNOILYOINANWOOLINSONY1da09¥
`
`
`
`
`
`ve9
`
`
`
`LINNNOTLVO141LON
`
`
`
`
`
`0€LINAINdinoO1anyANAWJOVNYWSWIL
`
`ve
`
`17
`
`LINA
`
`
`
`ANAWS9VNVAF1NGSHOS
`
`
`
`8PNOILOILIONOILISOd
`
`17
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 17 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.1/
`
`PRIORITIZATION LIST?
`
`CONNECT DEPENDING ON PRIORITY
`AS WELL AS DEPENDING ON
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT WITH DEVICE WITH HIGH
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL
`
`18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 18 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.18
`
`420
`
`422
`
`| ENERGENCY
`
`TRANSH}SS | ON
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`
`
`
`402
`71N
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`REGISTRATION UNIT
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`404
`
`CELLULAR PHONE
`
`
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 19 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.19
`
`410
`
`406
`
`721
`
`420 DENCEarrowUNITUNIT
`
`EVERGENCY
`422
`SSION
`BT
`418
`ARCEPYANGE UNIT
`
`416 730 COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`CELLULAR PHONE
`
`402
`
`412
`
`FIXED
`CONMUN | CAT LON
`UNIT
`
`72N
`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 20 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 AJ
`
`FIG.20
`
`711
`730
` COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`416
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`REGISTRATION UNIT
`EMERGENCY
`TRANSMISSION
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`404
`
` CELLULAR PHONE
`
`FIXED
`COMMUN [ CAT LON
`UNIT
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 21 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.21
`
`751
`
`Sut,||Iz “8 .WOBILE
`
`DEVICE
`REGISTRATION UNIT
`
`408|i:
`
` POSITION
`INFORMATION
`ADDITION UNIT
`
`
`734
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`42270)
`ReCEPTANCE UNIT
`FT
`COMMUNICATION
`COMMUNCATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`740
`
`TSN
`
`|
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`404
`
`DATABASE
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`412
`
`\
`
`N
`
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 22 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`410
`
`DEVICE
`
`|feemevn UNIT
`EMERGENCY
`TRANSMISSION
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`.
`
`4
`
`ADDITION UNIT
`
`1 —
`
`704
`
`FIXED
`GONMLN CATHON
`
`{NFORMAT| ON
`
`76N
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 23 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.23
`
`410
`
`
` DEVICE
`422
`
`
`
`
`
`
`420
`
`REGISTRATION UNIT|
`EMERGENCY
`TRANSM1SS1ON
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`BT
`COMMUNI CAT
`UNIT
`
`ION
`
`408
`
`404
`
`DATABASE
`
`
`ELECTRONIC DEV CE
`
`740
`
`412
`
`
`
`791
`
`
` COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
`POSITION
`INFORMATION
`ADDITION UNIT
`
`734
`
`.
`
`
`
`761
`
`
`
` ADDITION UNIT
`
`POSITION
`INFORMAT 1 ON
`
`
`
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 24 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.24
`
`771
`
`
`
`410
`
` 702
`
`ADDITION UNIT 734
`
`MOB
`ILE
`COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`POS1 TION
`INFORMATION
`
`7IN
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 25 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.25
`
`781
`
`730
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE
` REGISTRATION UNIT
`
`
`
`FIXED
`COMMUN | CATION
`
`UNIT
`
`
`
`742
`78N
`
`410
`
`Realssl0
`ACCEPTANCEtN IT
`
`404
`
`ELECTRONSG DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POSITION
`
`
`INFORMATION
`ADDITION UNIT
`134
`
`708
`182
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 26 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.26
`
`730
`
`412
`
`EMERGENCY
`TRANSMISS10N
`ACCEPTANCE UNIT
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`DATABASE
`
`742
`
`
`
`
`
`za!
`
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
` POSITION
`INFORMATION
`ADDITION UNIT
`
`
`
`INFORMATION
`ADDITION UNIT
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 27 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.27
`
`
`
`89
`
`28
`
`28
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 28 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.28
`
`
`
`> TAB WIMITES EERIE SEF
`SIPPING MAIL FROM 14.00
`
`NOW, 15 MINUTES BEFORE TIME
`OF CIRCLE FROM 19:00
`
`"TDS MINES BFW SLE OF
`_|SPRING MAIL. FRM 14:00
`
`“Y15 MINUTES BEFDRE SALE OF
`_ [SHOPPING MAIL Fol M400
`“SANTTE15MINUTES reeTHE
`
`96
`
`92
`
`iATTECIRCLE FROM 19:00
`
`NOW, 16 MINUTES
`{ TUCKET FROM 12:00
`
`
`
`
`
`BatonsMYTRSAg MINUTES
`
`29
`
`29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 29 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.29
`
`NI
`
`30
`
`30
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 30 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.30
`
`110
`
`Now
`
`NI!
`
`31
`
`31
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 31 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.31
`
`
`
`REMAINING BATTERY POWER
`
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL: LOW
`
`AMOUNT: SUFFICIENT
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL:HIGH
`
`~~.
`
` AMOUNT : INSUFF} CIENT
`PHONE CALL STATUS: NONE .4-~
`38 an aeBATTERYPOWER .
`[PHONE CALL STATUS: NONE
`
`
`
`
`SS 42
`
`EMERGENCY
`
`NOTIFICATION
`
`192
`
`34
`
`8 0
`
`
`
`Sor haa
`
`885 he
`ooo
`
`
`S35
`REMAINING BATTERY POWER
`‘\.
`AMOUNT: SUFFICIENT
`
`RECEIVED SIGNAL LEVEL: LOW
`PHONE CALL STATUS: NONE
`
`32
`
`32
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 32 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`—FIG.382
`
`LIST OF DEVICES WHICH CAN PERFORM
`MERGENCY NOTIFICATION
`
`
`
`
`REGISTRATION
`
`" XXXX
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`"yyyy
`
`" 22222
`
`33
`
`33
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 12,2006 Sheet 33 of 33
`
`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`FIG.33
`
`
`
`CINQUIRY/) RESULT
`
`
`
`
`(INQUIRY/) RESULT
`
`CINQUIRY/) RESULT
`
`792
`
`
`
`
`COMMUN | CAT 1 ON
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`794
`
`34
`
`34
`
`

`

`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`Oct. 12, 2006
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE, PRIORITY CONNECTION
`METHOD AND PRIORITY CONNECTION
`PROGRAM
`
`
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is based upon and claims the
`benefit of priorities from the prior Japanese Patent Applica-
`tion No. 2005-114950, filed on Apr. 12, 2005, and Applica-
`tion No. 2005-323867, filed on Nov. 8, 2005, the entire
`contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates generally to inter-
`device connection between an electronic device such as a
`cellular phone with a short-range wireless communication
`function and another device, and more particularly,
`to a
`dynamicpriority connection methodofan electronic device
`used for selecting and connecting a connection device with
`the use of dynamic information representing movementof a
`device or a user carrying the device, etc., for example, a
`distance from a connection device, a position thereof and a
`time, or a received signal level from a base station of a
`cellular phone, a remaining battery power amount of the
`cellular phone, a phone call status, etc. in the case that the
`connection device is a cellular phone, as prioritizing infor-
`mation.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`Asa short-range wireless communication function,
`[0005]
`for example, device-to-device connectionis performed with
`radio signals in conformity with the Bluetooth communica-
`tion standard. Wireless connection between devices by such
`a short-range wireless communication function is utilized
`for information utilization in data transmission from a
`
`cellular phoneto a personal computer(PC) or for improving
`convenience of a device by complementing a function not
`possessed by one device with another device, such as the
`case of a cellular phone and a headset. However,
`if a
`multiplicity of devices having such a short-range wireless
`communication function is located around a user, individual
`setting must be performed for selecting a connection desti-
`nation of those devices.
`
`ing to the wireless network, and the technology described in
`Japanese
`Patent Application Laid-Open
`Publication
`No.2003-348100 (paragraph Nos. 0025 and 0038, FIG.1,
`FIG.2, etc.) merely searches a destination matching to a
`search condition set in advance. Either technology does not
`select a connection destination device from a plurality of
`devices based on dynamic information such as movement of
`a device, a reception signal level representing a usage status,
`a position, a time, etc., has a problem ofselecting a con-
`nection destination from various devices and does not solve
`the problem.
`
`In an electronic device with a short-range wireless
`[0008]
`communication function, for example, a cellular phone, if a
`user cannot hold or operate the cellular phone, it is incon-
`venient that a phonecall, a check of an incomingcall, etc.
`may not be performed.
`
`[0009] With regardto a technology enabling an emergency
`notification through the mediation of a cellular phone (Japa-
`nese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-
`22490),
`in a configuration attempting connection in the
`order of connection to the network from a cellular phone
`connected first,
`it
`is inconvenient
`that a notification is
`discontinued or cannot be performed if a received signal
`level of the cellular phoneis low, if remainingbattery power
`amount is low or if the cellular phone is busy.
`
`
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to wireless
`the present
`[0010] Thus,
`connection of a plurality of devices with a short-range
`wireless communication function and achieves improve-
`mentof availability of a function possessed by each device
`byprioritizing connection destination devices to select a
`connection destination.
`
`[0011] For example, the present invention relates to wire-
`less connection of a plurality of devices with a short-range
`wireless communication function and improves availability
`of a device byreferring to dynamic information asa selec-
`tion factor, such as a received signal level of the short-range
`wireless communication function between devices, a posi-
`tion of a device and a time, or a received signal level from
`a base station ofa cellular phone, a remainingbattery power
`amount of the cellular phone, a phonecall status, etc. in the
`case that the comnection destination device is a cellular
`
`phone, for prioritization which is a selection factor of a
`comnection destination device.
`
`
`
`[0006] This type of technology exists as a technology for
`forming wireless network with an emergency notification
`[0012] Asa specific example, the present inventionrelates
`apparatus equipped with a Bluetooth module andaplurality
`to an emergencytransmissionofan electronic device such as
`of cellular phones being able to communicate with this
`a cellular phone and contributes to the improvementof the
`emergencynotification apparatus in the Bluetooth as well as
`credibility of the emergency transmission byselecting an
`for selecting a cellular phone in the orderof priority from
`optimum device from surrounding communication devices
`cellular phones participating to the wireless network to
`to utilize the communication function thereof.
`attempt to notify the cellular phone (e.g., Japanese Patent
`Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-22490) and a
`technology for limiting a destination as a device equipped
`with a short-range wireless communication function match-
`ing to a search condition and for transmitting data to the
`destination (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
`Publication No. 2003-348100).
`
`invention configured to
`[0013] Aspects of the present
`solve above problemsare as follows.
`
`Afirst aspect of the present invention provides an
`[0014]
`electronic device with a short-range wireless communica-
`tion function, comprising a communication unit transmit-
`ting/receiving a short-range wireless signal to/from one or
`more devices with a short-range wireless communication
`function; a registration unit imparting priorities to the plu-
`rality of the devices and registering a prioritization list
`representative of one or more devices sorted bythe priori-
`
`[0007] By the way, the technology described in Japanese
`Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-22490
`(paragraph Nos. 0008, 0018 and 0024, FIG.1, etc.) merely
`attempts connection with a nearby cellular phoneparticipat-
`
`35
`
`35
`
`

`

`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`Oct. 12, 2006
`
`
`
`ies; and a control unit dynamically selecting one or more
`devices based on theprioritization list and controlling con-
`ection through the communication unit with the selected
`one or more devices.
`
`[0015] According to such a configuration, the electronic
`device and other one or more devices can be connected with
`
`he short-range wireless communication function and the
`connection is performed through the communication unit in
`heelectronic device. In the electronic device, priorities are
`added to the plurality of devices which are connection
`destinations, and the one or more devices sorted by the
`priorities are registered into the registration unit as
`the
`prioritization list. The one or more devices are dynamically
`selected based on the prioritization list in the registration
`nit and the electronic device can be connected to the
`
`selected one or more devices through the communication
`nit. The electronic device can give and receive or operate
`information through otherdevices.
`
`
`
`In the electronic device of the first aspect, as an
`[0016]
`it
`is configured that the control unit selects a
`example,
`connection destination device from the devices registered
`into the registration unit with a received signal level of a
`short-range wireless signal
`(e.g., an intensity of RSSI
`(Receive Signal Strength Indication) or lowness of a bit
`error rate) which can be obtained by connecting the device
`and that the selected one or more devices are automatically
`connected through the communication unit. As an example,
`if the device registered into the registration unit is a cellular
`phone, it is configured that a communication destination
`cellular phoneis selected by a received signal level from a
`base station of the cellular phone which can be obtained by
`connecting and communicatingthe cellular phone, a remain-
`ing battery power amount ofthe cellular phone and a phone
`call status and that the selected one or more cellular phones
`are automatically connected through the communication
`nit. According to such a configuration, since the connection
`destination deviceis selected by the received signal level of
`he short-range wireless signal, etc., the credibility of the
`connection is enhanced and this is useful for giving and
`receiving information.
`
`
`
`In the electronic device, if the device registered
`[0017]
`into the registration unit
`is a cellular phone,
`it may be
`configured that the control unit selects one or more cellular
`phones as connection destinations from the electronic device
`depending on a received signal level obtained from com-
`nunication connection with the base station and that the
`cellular phones are automatically connected through the
`communication unit.
`
`In the electronic device, if the device registered
`[0018]
`into the registration unit
`is a cellular phone,
`it may be
`configured that the control unit selects one or more cellular
`phones as connection destinations from the cellular phones
`depending on a remaining battery power amountandthat the
`cellular phones are automatically connected through the
`communication unit.
`
`In the electronic device, if the device registered
`[0019]
`into the registration unit
`is a cellular phone,
`it may be
`configured that the control unit selects one or more cellular
`phones as connection destinations from the cellular phones
`depending on communication status and that the cellular
`phones are automatically connected through the communi-
`cation unit.
`
`
`
`Inthe electronic device, it may be configured that
`[0020]
`the numberof the devices connected concurrently is regis-
`tered into the registration unit and that the devices of the
`numbercorresponding to the numberof devices are concur-
`rently connected. According to such a configuration, since
`one or more connection destinations are defined by the
`priority, connectivity can be enhanced for devices with high
`availability and convenience for a user is improved.
`
`In the electronic device, along with one or more
`[0021]
`pieces of position information which are movement desti-
`nations of the electronic device, one or more devices with
`priorities added for each piece of the position information
`are registered into the prioritizationlist, and by selecting one
`or more devices retrieved from the prioritization list, the
`selected one or more devicescan be automatically connected
`through the communication umit. According to such a con-
`figuration, the electronic device moving along with a user
`and the connection destinations can be dynamically con-
`trolled with the position information, and connection can be
`achieved with the device having the highest availability.
`
`In the electronic device, along with one or more
`[0022]
`pieces of time information, one or more devices with pri-
`orities added for each piece of the time information are
`registered into the prioritization list, and by selecting one or
`more devices retrieved from the prioritization list,
`the
`selected one or more devicescan be automatically connected
`through the communication umit. According to such a con-
`figuration, the electronic device and the connection destina-
`tions can be dynamically controlled with the time informa-
`tion, and connection can be achieved withthe device having
`the highest availability during that time period.
`
`the electronic device or the
`In the first aspect,
`[0023]
`device may be an information terminal device such as a
`cellular phone and a personal computer, a household electric
`device suchas a television set, a moving device such as an
`automobile, a watch and a navigation apparatus. In other
`words, the electronic device can be any devices equipped
`with the short-range wireless communication function and
`can connect with a device having the highest availability.
`
`[0024] A second aspectof the present invention provides
`a priority connection method connecting an electronic
`device with a short-range wireless communication function
`and another device, comprising the operations of transmit-
`ting/receiving a short-range wireless signal to/from one or
`more devices with a short-range wireless communication
`function; imparting priorities to the plurality of the devices
`and registering a prioritization list representative of one or
`more devices sorted bythe priorities into a registration unit;
`and dynamicallyselecting one or more devices based on the
`prioritization list and controlling connection with the
`selected one or more devices in short-range wireless com-
`munication. According to such a connection method, con-
`nection can be performed with the one or more devices
`registered into the prioritization list.
`
`[0025] The priority connection method of the second
`aspect may be configured to include the operations of
`selecting a connection destination device from the devices
`registered into the registration unit with a received signal
`level of a short-range wireless signal which can be obtained
`by connecting the device and for automatically connecting
`the selected one or more devicesin the short-range wireless
`communication. The priority connection method maybe
`
`36
`
`36
`
`

`

`US 2006/0229014 Al
`
`Oct. 12, 2006
`
`set in advance, and the device with the highest availability
`for a user can be connected to enhance convenience of each
`device.
`
`(2) For a certain device and another plurality of
`[0031]
`devices equipped with a short-range wireless communica-
`tion function, automatic comnection can be performed
`between the devices based on not only the priorities set in
`advance but also dynamic information such as a received
`signal level anda position or a received signal level from a
`base station of a cellular phone, a remaining battery power
`amount of the cellular phone, a phonecall status, etc. in the
`case that the comnection destination device is a cellular
`
`phone; the device with higher availability for a user can be
`connected depending onposition of user and form ofaction;
`the short-range wireless communication function of the
`device can be utilized; and convenience of each device can
`be enhanced.
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`configured to include the operationofregistering the number
`of the devices connected concurrently into the registration
`unit and the operation of concurrently connecting the
`devices of the number corresponding to the numberof the
`devices.
`
`Thepriority connection method maybe configured
`[0026]
`to include the operation ofregistering one or more devices
`with priorities added for each piece of position information
`into the prioritization list along with one or more pieces of
`the position information which are movement destinations
`of the electronic device and/or the operation ofregistering
`one or more devices with priorities added for each piece of
`time information along with one or more pieces of the time
`information, and the operation of dynamically selecting one
`or more devices based on the prioritization list to perform
`connection control of the selected one or more devices in the
`
`short-range wireless communication.
`
`[0027] A third aspect of the present invention provides a
`priority connection program executed by a computer to
`connect an electronic device with a short-range wireless
`communication function with another device, the program
`comprising the steps of transmitting/receiving a short-range
`wireless signal to/from one or more devices with a short-
`range wireless communication function; imparting priorities
`to the plurality of the devices and registering a prioritization
`list representative of one or more devices sorted by the
`priorities into a registration unit; and dynamically selecting
`one or more devices based on the prioritization list and
`controlling connection with the selected one or more devices
`in short-range wireless communication. Accordingto such a
`connection program, connection with the one or more
`devices registered in the prioritization list is realized by
`computer processing.
`
`[0028] The priority connection program ofthe third aspect
`may be configured to comprise the step of selecting a
`connection destination device from devices registered in the
`registration unit using a received signal level of a short-
`range wireless signal obtained when connected and auto-
`matically connecting with the selected one or more devices
`in short-range wireless communication. The priority con-
`nection program may comprise the steps of registering the
`numberof devices connected concurrently into the registra-
`tion unit; and concurrently connecting with corresponding
`numberof devices to the numberof the devices. The priority
`connection program may comprise the steps of registering
`into the prioritization list one or more pieces of position
`information which are movement destinations of the elec-
`
`ronic device as well as one or more devices with priorities
`imparted for each piece of the position information and/or
`registering one or more pieces of time information as well as
`one or more devices with priorities imparted for each piece
`of the time information; and dynamically selecting one or
`nore devices based on theprioritization list and controlling
`connection with the selected one or more devices in short-
`range wireless communication.
`
`[0029] According to the present invention, the following
`advantages can be obtained.
`
`(1) For a certain device and another plurality of
`[0030]
`devices equipped with a short-range wireless communica-
`ion function, automatic connection can be performed
`between the