111111
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Uehara et al.
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20020002036Al
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0002036 Al
`Jan. 3, 2002
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS,
`RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`STATIONARY STATION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Keiji Uehara, Hino-shi (JP); Keichi
`Ito, Hino-shi (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
`Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
`1300 I Street, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20005-3315 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/892,483
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.28,2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 30, 2000
`
`(JP) ...................................... 2000-200239
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. CI? ....................................................... H04B 5/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 455/41; 455/456; 455/414
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In a mobile radio communication system, a base station is
`provided for executing radio communication with a radio
`communication apparatus. The radio communication appa(cid:173)
`ratus includes a signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for
`mobile communication, which transmits and receives a
`signal to and from the base station. The apparatus also
`includes a Bluetooth unit for short-range radio data com(cid:173)
`munication using relatively week radio waves. When the
`radio communication apparatus is located at a distance
`communicable with a stationary station based on the Blue(cid:173)
`tooth system, the radio communication apparatus can
`acquire, from the stationary station, position information
`indicative of its position, and shop information related to the
`position information, etc. Thus, the short-range radio data
`communication system using week radio waves enables the
`mobile radio communication system for mobile phones to
`calculate the position of the user of the radio communication
`apparatus, and also to distribute information relevant to the
`position.
`
`19
`
`000
`a a
`0 0 0
`0 0 0
`0 0 0
`0 0 0
`0 0 0
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`FIG. 1
`
`000
`a o
`0 0 0
`((; 0 0 0
`ODD
`ODD
`ODD
`
`14
`
`15
`
`,...---1-~----.__rrrJ 4
`Call control
`Radio unit k---,.._, unit ~ I 5
`~
`L--.,.... Main
`control unit
`
`t
`
`+
`
`~9
`
`External
`input unit
`
`p- Image
`
`1~
`
`processing
`unit
`
`11
`
`~---.
`
`~-___,~_...... ~ ----------F~-__ ..,... ___ -___ .,..: t --:.-·~-,-----,,..
`
`Display unit
`
`)
`6
`
`:
`:
`'
`'
`;
`: Bluetooth
`,
`control unit
`'
`'
`'~-__,~,_...
`:
`
`'
`
`t 1~
`
`Operation
`input unit
`
`7
`
`Memory
`
`)
`8
`
`Bluetooth
`~---15
`radio unit
`-----.... '-_ ---------------------_ .... ___ :
`' '
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Bluetooth
`radio unit
`
`32
`..-------L.-.,
`Bluetooth
`control unit
`
`Main
`control unit
`
`....-----~
`
`34
`
`Memory
`
`FIG. 3
`
`ST-A1
`~------------L---------~~
`Activate Bluetooth radio unit and Bluetooth
`control unit as master units
`
`Connect radio communication apparatus to
`Bluetooth stationary station
`
`Transfer neighborhood information
`
`Disconnect
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Activate Bluetooth units
`
`NO
`
`Search Bluetooth stationary station
`ST-B4
`
`NO
`
`Connect radio communication apparatus to
`Bluetooth stationary station
`
`Transfer neighborhood information
`
`Send neighborhood information to user
`
`Disconnect
`
`FIG. 5
`
`19
`
`FIG. 6
`
`14/
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Activate Bluetooth units
`
`NO
`
`Search Bluetooth stationary station
`
`NO
`
`ST-C5
`Connect radio communication apparatus to
`Bluetooth stationary station
`
`Transfer position information
`
`Disconnect
`
`NO
`
`ST-C9
`Connect radio communication apparatus to
`base station
`
`Transfer neighborhood information
`
`Send position and neighborhood information
`to user
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`en
`.....--
`
`00
`•
`0
`
`LL
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Set position information
`request mode
`
`Send signal to radio
`communication apparatus as
`destination
`
`NO
`
`ST-E4
`~------~----~~
`Transfer position information
`to radio communication
`apparatus
`
`~------~----~~
`
`ST-E5
`Send position information to
`user
`
`Search Bluetooth stationary
`station
`
`NO
`
`ST-04
`~------~----~~
`Connect radio communication
`apparatus to Bluetooth
`stationary station
`
`ST-05
`~------~----~~
`Transfer position information
`to radio communication
`apparatus
`
`Send position information
`to base station
`
`FIG. 9
`
`END
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`.
`<-'
`LL.
`
`~0 oooooo
`~oqggggg
`
`N
`N
`
`o~oooooo
`00000
`0 00000
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Activate Bluetooth units
`
`Search Bluetooth stationary station
`
`NO
`
`ST-F4
`Connect radio communication apparatus to
`Bluetooth stationary station
`
`ST-F5
`
`Transfer position information to radio
`communication apparatus
`
`Disconnect
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`Send position information to base station
`
`F I G. 12
`
`

`

`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`1
`
`RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, RADIO
`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND STATIONARY
`STATION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is based upon and claims the
`benefit of priority from the prior 1 apanese Patent Application
`No. 2000-200239, filed Jun. 30, 2000, the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to a radio communi(cid:173)
`cation apparatus and a radio communication system, which
`can be also used in a short-range radio data communication
`system utilizing relatively week radio waves.
`
`[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0005]
`In mobile communication services using radio
`communication apparatuses, the cellular system is employed
`in order to enable as many people as possible to utilize radio
`frequencies that is a limited resource. In the case of the
`cellular system, its service area is divided into a large
`number of zones surrounding respective base stations. Each
`base station functions as a radio transmitting/receiving sta(cid:173)
`tion for providing mobile communication services. Each
`station is connected by a wired line to an exchanger provided
`at a terminal of a telephone network, and acts as a kind of
`radio connection apparatus for connecting a plurality of
`apparatuses. Since the number of channels assigned to base
`stations is determined in case of accessing a base station,
`each of base stations executes multi-access control for
`assigning an unoccupied channel to each radio communica(cid:173)
`tion apparatus when a plurality of users of radio communi(cid:173)
`cation apparatuses have requested a connection to the base
`station. Further, each of the aforementioned zones is called
`a "cell", which corresponds to one service area surrounding
`one base station.
`
`[0006] As one of cellular systems, there is the PHS (Per(cid:173)
`sonal Handy-phone System) that has a cell radius of
`approximately 100 m. In the PHS, a service is provided,
`which utilizes the fact that the cell radius is relatively small,
`to calculate where a PHS mobile radio communication
`apparatus (hereinafter referred to simply as a "PHS appara(cid:173)
`tus"). Thereby a base station transmits, to the PHS, position
`information relating to the position of the base station. There
`is another service which utilizes the position information. A
`base station informs a predetermined third person where a
`predetermined PHS apparatus is located at present. More(cid:173)
`over, a service is now being realized, which provides a user
`who owns a PHS apparatus with information on stores
`located in the neighborhood of the user, on the basis of the
`position information on the user.
`
`[0007]
`In the PHS, the base stations are located at rela(cid:173)
`tively short intervals of approximately 100-500 m, com(cid:173)
`pared to the case of mobile phones. Accordingly, the position
`of each PHS apparatus can be calculated from the positions
`of a plurality of base stations and from the electric field
`intensity of radio waves transmitted from each base station,
`which is calculated from serves as a receiving level.
`
`[0008] As a system for informing a user of position where
`the user is located, there is the GPS (Global Positioning
`System). The GPS utilizes an artificial satellite to designate
`the latitude and the longitude, i.e. the location, of the user.
`
`[0009] The PHS can determine only the cell in which a
`user's apparatus is located. Accordingly, the user's location
`is determined only with an accuracy of a distance deter(cid:173)
`mined from the size of each cell of the PHS, substantially
`only with an accuracy of several hundred meters.
`
`[0010] Also in the GPS, it is known that a position error
`of approximately several hundred meters always exists.
`Further, the GPS does not operate in a building or a tunnel,
`etc. in which communication with the artificial satellite is
`impossible.
`
`[0011]
`In addition, in a mobile radio communication sys(cid:173)
`tem for mobile phones, since the base stations are located,
`unlike the PHS, at wider intervals of, for example, approxi(cid:173)
`mately 1 km, it is difficult to accurately calculate a location
`of a mobile phone based on information of the position of
`base stations and the electric field intensities.
`
`[0012] Recently, however, a system has been developed
`which enables transmission of radio data at a short range,
`using faint radio waves. This short-range radio data com(cid:173)
`munication system is known as a short-range radio trans(cid:173)
`mission technique capable of realizing data transmission
`between a mobile radio communication apparatus, a per(cid:173)
`sonal computer and other portable apparatuses. There is an
`interface called "Bluetooth" (hereinafter referred to simply
`as "BT"), which is used for enabling short-range radio data
`communication. The communicable range of apparatuses
`using the BT system is approximately 10m. The apparatuses
`of this type can be connected to each other by a point-to(cid:173)
`point connection corresponding to a connection of one point
`being connected to one point, or by a point-to-multipoint
`connection corresponding to a connection of one point being
`connected to a plurality of points. This BT system makes it
`possible to determine the position of a user having a radio
`apparatus.
`
`[0013] Furthermore, in the near future, mobile phones will
`be able to execute high-speed data communication, and to
`mount a high-resolution color LCD. In accordance with this,
`it is expected that services will be demanded which provide
`interactive information such as neighborhood shop informa(cid:173)
`tion, position information on the mobile phone and neigh(cid:173)
`borhood map information, etc., using information on the
`positions of the mobile phones.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0014]
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`radio communication apparatus, radio communication sys(cid:173)
`tem and stationary station having the function of the short(cid:173)
`range radio data communication system (such as the BT)
`using faint radio waves, and hence capable of calculating the
`location of the user of a mobile phone with high accuracy,
`utilizing a mobile radio communication system for mobile
`phones, and providing a service of informing the user of
`user's location.
`
`[0015]
`It is another object of the present invention to
`provide a radio communication apparatus, radio communi(cid:173)
`cation system and stationary station capable of informing
`another apparatus as a destination, via a mobile radio
`
`

`

`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`2
`
`communication system, of its position acquired using a
`short-range radio data communication system.
`
`[0016]
`It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide a radio communication apparatus, radio communi(cid:173)
`cation system and stationary station capable of informing
`another apparatus, serving as a destination, of the position of
`the radio communication apparatus and the time when the
`apparatus is located at the position.
`
`[0017]
`It is a further object of the present invention to
`provide a radio communication apparatus, radio communi(cid:173)
`cation system and stationary station capable of restricting
`the supply of information in accordance with a setting mode
`in the apparatus when it has received a request for position
`information.
`
`[0018]
`It is another object of the present invention to
`provide a radio communication apparatus, radio communi(cid:173)
`cation system and stationary station capable of restricting
`the supply of information in a predetermined time slot in
`accordance with a setting mode in the apparatus.
`
`[0019]
`It is still a further object of the present invention to
`provide a radio communication apparatus, radio communi(cid:173)
`cation system and stationary station capable of restricting
`the supply of information for a predetermined telephone
`number in accordance with a setting mode in the apparatus.
`
`[0020] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a radio communication apparatus for executing
`radio communication with a base station of a mobile radio
`communication system, and capable of executing short(cid:173)
`range radio data communication with a stationary station,
`the apparatus comprising:
`
`[0021] communication means for executing short-range
`radio data communication with the stationary station; and
`
`[0022] position information acquisition means for acquir(cid:173)
`ing position information from the stationary station,
`
`[0023] wherein the communication means acquires posi(cid:173)
`tion information indicating a position of the radio commu(cid:173)
`nication apparatus by requesting the position information
`from the stationary station, using the position information
`acquisition means.
`
`[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention,
`there is provided a stationary station for executing short(cid:173)
`range radio data communication with a radio communica(cid:173)
`tion apparatus that can perform radio communication with a
`base station of a mobile radio communication system, the
`station comprising:
`
`[0025] connection means for connecting the stationary
`station to the radio communication apparatus by radio;
`
`[0026] memory means for storing information related to a
`position of the stationary station; and
`
`[0027]
`transmission means for transmitting information
`stored in the memory means to the radio communication
`apparatus, over the radio connection by the connection
`means.
`
`[0028] According to a third aspect of the invention, there
`is provided a radio communication system for a radio
`communication apparatus that executes radio communica-
`
`tion with a base station, and can execute short-range radio
`data communication with a stationary station, the system
`comprising:
`[0029]
`transmission means for acquiring position informa(cid:173)
`tion on the radio communication apparatus from the station(cid:173)
`ary station, and transmitting the position information to the
`mobile radio communication system via the base station.
`[0030] Additional objects and advantages of the invention
`will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part
`will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
`practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the
`invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
`instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
`hereinafter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`
`[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate
`presently embodiments of the invention, and together with
`the general description given above and the detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the
`principles of the invention.
`[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a radio
`communication apparatus and a BT stationary station
`according to a first embodiment of the invention;
`[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal
`electrical structure employed in the radio communication
`apparatus appearing in FIG. 1;
`[0034] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
`electrical structure of the BT stationary station shown in
`FIG.1;
`[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart useful in explaining the
`operation of the BT stationary station of FIG. 3 executed to
`activate a communication unit in the radio communication
`apparatus so as to transmit information concerning the
`neighborhood of the BT stationary station to the radio
`communication apparatus;
`[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart useful in explaining an
`operation of the radio communication apparatus shown in
`FIG. 1 executed to request the reception of neighborhood
`information;
`
`[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a radio
`communication apparatus, a BT stationary station, a base
`station and a mobile radio communication system according
`to a second embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0038] FIG. 7 is a flowchart useful in explaining the
`operation of the radio communication apparatus of the
`second embodiment executed to acquire updated neighbor(cid:173)
`hood information;
`
`[0039] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating two radio
`communication apparatuses, a BT stationary station, two
`base stations and a mobile radio communication system
`according to a third embodiment of the invention;
`[0040] FIG. 9 is a flowchart useful in explaining the
`operation of the radio communication apparatus of the third
`embodiment executed to acquire position information on
`another radio communication apparatus as a destination
`
`

`

`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`3
`
`when the former apparatus has made a call to the latter
`apparatus through the mobile radio communication system;
`
`[0041] FIG. 10 is a flowchart useful in explaining the
`operation of the radio communication apparatus shown in
`FIG. 7 executed to request position information;
`[0042] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating three radio
`communication apparatuses, two BT stationary stations,
`three base stations and a mobile radio communication sys(cid:173)
`tem according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
`[0043] FIG. 12 is a flowchart useful in explaining the
`operation of a radio communication apparatus according to
`a fifth embodiment executed to reject an information request
`issued by an unspecified radio communication apparatus.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 1HE
`INVENTION
`
`[0044] Radio communication apparatuses, radio commu(cid:173)
`nication systems and stationary stations according to the
`embodiments of the present invention will be described with
`reference to the accompanying drawings. The radio com(cid:173)
`munication apparatuses, radio communication systems and
`stationary stations of the embodiments employ the BT
`(Bluetooth) radio system as its short-range radio data com(cid:173)
`munication system.
`
`[0045] FIGS. 1-5 show the communication apparatus and
`the radio communication system according to the first
`embodiment. FIG. 1 conceptually shows the radio commu(cid:173)
`nication apparatus employing the BT system and according
`to the first embodiment, and a BT stationary station 16.
`
`[0046] The radio communication apparatus shown in FIG.
`1, i.e. a mobile phone 14, has a BT unit 15, which is
`communicable with the BT stationary station 16 and through
`which radio communication based on the BT system can be
`realized.
`
`[0047] When the radio communication apparatus 14
`requires neighborhood information (address, map or shop
`information), it searches the BT stationary station 16 as an
`information supply source. When the radio communication
`apparatus 14 has detected the BT stationary station 16 and
`shifted to a state in which it can be connected to the station
`16, it executes processing for connecting itself to the BT
`stationary station 16. Specifically, the radio communication
`apparatus 14 executes establishment processing for estab(cid:173)
`lishing a communication link on the basis of a predeter(cid:173)
`mined protocol. As a result, the radio communication appa(cid:173)
`ratus 14 is connected to the BT stationary station 16. After
`that, the BT stationary station 16 transfers neighborhood
`information to the radio communication apparatus 14,
`whereby the user of the apparatus 14 can receive neighbor(cid:173)
`hood information in a visual and/or voice format.
`
`It is desirable that the BT stationary station 16
`[0048]
`should be provided in a place that can be easily recognized
`by the user, such as an old bulletin board for neighboring
`areas.
`
`[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrat(cid:173)
`ing the internal circuit structure of the radio communication
`apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
`
`[0050] The radio communication apparatus shown in FIG.
`2 comprises a BT unit section (12 and 13) for transmitting
`
`and receiving radio waves based on the BT system, and a
`mobile radio communication apparatus section (1-11) for
`transmitting and receiving radio waves based on the mobile
`radio communication system. In the conventional mobile
`radio communication system, a so-called mobile phone or
`PHS, etc. is used as the radio communication apparatus 14.
`In other words, in the radio communication apparatus of the
`embodiment of the present invention, the communication
`mode is switched between the conventional mobile radio
`communication system mode and BT communication sys(cid:173)
`tem mode.
`
`[0051] The apparatus used as a conventional mobile radio
`communication system includes a radio unit 1 for transmit(cid:173)
`ting and receiving radio waves to and from a base station of
`a communication provider. The radio unit 1 is connected to
`an antenna through which radio waves are transmitted and
`received.
`
`[0052] When the antenna has received radio waves, as a
`signal, and then the radio unit 1 subjects the received signal
`to high-frequency amplifying conversion, then frequency
`conversion, and low-noise amplification. More specifically,
`the radio unit 1 receives a signal having its frequency
`designated by a main control unit 2, and subjects the
`received signal to frequency conversion in which the signal
`is converted into a intermediate-frequency signal and a
`base-band signal. Thereafter, the radio unit 1 decodes the
`converted signal into a digital signal.
`
`[0053] The main control unit 2 executes control for estab(cid:173)
`lishing a communication channel based on a communica(cid:173)
`tions protocol. Upon establishing the communication chan(cid:173)
`nel, the main control unit 2 generates an incoming call sound
`generating signal. A sounder (not shown) outputs the incom(cid:173)
`ing call sound generating signal, thereby informing the user
`of an incoming call. The incoming call can be informed of
`by vibrating a vibrator (not shown) or causing an LED to
`emit light, as well as by emitting an incoming call sound.
`
`[0054] A call control unit 3 receives signals from the radio
`unit 1 over the call channel. If, at this time, the user pushes
`a button, for example, for establishing a call, incorporated in
`an operation input unit 7, the call control unit 3 converts a
`demodulated signal into a speaker signal. This speaker
`signal is output to a speaker 4, where a speech sound
`corresponding to the speaker signal is output.
`
`[0055] When the apparatus executes signal transmission, a
`speech sound is input to a microphone 5 incorporated in the
`radio communication apparatus 14, and radio waves includ(cid:173)
`ing sound information is transmitted through the antenna.
`Specifically, when the user has pushed a button on the
`operation input unit 7 to turn on the radio communication
`apparatus 14, an ON signal to turn on the radio communi(cid:173)
`cation apparatus 14 is generated. The ON signal is input to
`the main control unit 2, whereby the ON signal is input to
`a power supply (not shown) to thereby turn on the radio
`communication apparatus 14. If, at this time, the user
`operates the operation input unit 7 to input the phone number
`of a destination, a number signal corresponding to the phone
`number is generated. The number signal is input to the main
`control unit 2. After that, a radio control signal based on the
`number signal is created and output to the radio unit 1. The
`radio unit 1 encodes the phone number. As a result, a radio
`signal including the encoded phone number are transmitted
`through the antenna. The radio signal is received by another
`
`

`

`US 2002/0002036 Al
`
`Jan.3,2002
`
`4
`
`radio communication apparatus as the destination. Thus, the
`radio communication apparatuses are connected. In this
`state, in the radio communication apparatus as the des tina(cid:173)
`tion, a speech sound is input to the microphone 5, where it
`is directed and converted into a sound signal as an electrical
`signal. The sound signal is input to the call control unit 3,
`where the input signal is modulated. The call control unit 3
`supplies the main control unit 2 with a signal indicating that
`the sound signal has been input. The main control unit 2
`establishes a call channel based on a communication proto(cid:173)
`col. Over the call channel, the modulated signal is input to
`the radio unit 1 and transmitted to the nearest base station
`through the antenna. The radio communication apparatus 14
`uses radio waves of a specific frequency bandwidth.
`
`[0056] When the apparatus transmits and receives a signal
`other than a sound signal, e.g. an image data signal, the same
`processing as above is executed until the main control unit
`2 executes a communication control program. Thereafter,
`the main control unit 2 detects the received signal. If the
`detected signal is an image data signal, the main control unit
`2 establishes an interface for image data. Upon establishing
`the interface, the main control unit 2 outputs the image data
`signal to an image processing unit 10. The image processing
`unit 10 decodes the image data signal. The decoded image
`data signal is converted into an analog image signal. The
`converted image signal is output to a display unit 6, where
`image due to the converted signal is displayed.
`
`[0057] When the apparatus transmits image data, a camera
`11 picks up an image and converts it into an electrical image
`signal. An image input terminal may be provided for the
`radio communication apparatus 14, instead of incorporating
`the camera 11 in the apparatus 14. In this case, an image
`input device such as the camera 11 or a video cassette
`recorder, etc. is connected to the input terminal, and an
`image signal is input to the image processing unit 10 via the
`input terminal. The image processing unit 10 encodes the
`image signal into image data, and outputs the encoded image
`data to the main control unit 2. Thereafter, the image data is
`modulated and transmitted via the antenna in the same
`manner as described above.
`
`[0058] The radio communication apparatus 14 also incor(cid:173)
`porates an external input unit 9 for inputting data from an
`external device. The external input unit 9 enables transfer of
`data to and from an external device. For example, character
`data and/or image data can be exchanged between a personal
`computer and the radio communication apparatus 14 con(cid:173)
`nected thereto by the external input unit 9. Further, the input
`terminal can be connected to a video device, thereby obtain(cid:173)
`ing image data therefrom. The radio communication appa(cid:173)
`ratus 14 also incorporates a memory 8 for storing phone
`numbers, incoming call records, image data and sound data,
`etc.
`
`In the BT radio unit 13 based on the BT system,
`[0059]
`radio waves based on the BT system (hereinafter referred to
`simply as "BT waves") are transmitted to and received from
`the BT stationary station 16 or another radio communication
`apparatus 14 compatible with the BT system, via an antenna
`compatible with the BT system. These radio waves have a
`specific frequency bandwidth based on the BT system. At
`the time when signal is received, BT waves are received as
`a BT-wave-modulated signal and output as a received signal
`to a BT control unit 12. The BT control unit 12 establishes
`
`a BT receiving channel based on the communication proto(cid:173)
`col. Upon establishing the BT receiving channel, a BT
`control signal based on the received BT waves is output to
`the main control unit 2. The main control unit 2, based on the
`BT control signal, supplies peripheral components with
`respective command signals corresponding to the compo(cid:173)
`nents.
`
`[0060] When the apparatus receives data, for example,
`image data, from the BT stationary station 16, the BT radio
`unit 13 receives a modulated signal including the image data
`via the antenna. The BT radio unit 13 demodulates the
`modulated signal into an image signal and outputs the
`demodulated image signal to the BT control unit 12. The BT
`control unit 12 supplies the image signal to the image
`processing unit 10 under the control of the main control unit
`2, where the image signal is decoded and converted into an
`analog image signal for display, and an image corresponding
`to the image signal is displayed on the display unit 6. Various
`types of data can be also transmitted as BT waves to the BT
`stationary station 16 by pushing keys provided on the
`operation input unit 7.
`
`[0061] A more detailed and organized description of the
`function of each component will be given.
`
`[0062] The radio unit 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a function of
`transmitting and receiving radio waves of a predetermined
`bandwidth to and from a base station as a provider (not
`shown). The main control unit 2 controls the communication
`protocol for the radio unit 1, and the user interface, etc.
`
`[0063] The call control unit 3 demodulates a signal to be
`received over the call channel that is established by con(cid:173)
`trolling the communication protocol by the main control unit
`2, and modulates a signal to be transmitted over the call
`channel. Thus, a call path to another radio communication
`apparatus as a destination establishes. The speaker 4 con(cid:173)
`verts a sound signal output through the call path established
`by the call control unit 3, into a speech sound, thereby
`emitting the reproduced speech sound to the outside of the
`apparatus. The microphone 5 catches a speech sound and
`converts it into an electrical sound signal. The sound signal
`is output to the call path established by the call control unit
`3. Thus, the speaker 4 and the microphone 5 constitute a
`handset for realizing a call to another radio communication
`apparatus. The display unit 6 displays various types of
`information under the control of the image processing unit
`10. The operation input unit 7 has numerical keys for
`inputting, for example, phone numbers, and function keys
`for operating various functions, etc. The memory 8 stores
`preset additional numbers, data on a telephone book, redial
`data and received data in the user's absence, etc. The
`external input unit 9 receives data from an external device.
`The image processing unit 10 controls the display unit 6
`under the control of the main control unit 2, thereby encod(cid:173)
`ing/decoding data. In case of encoding data, a visual signal
`input by the camera 11 is digitized and encoded by a
`predetermined encoding method, thereby creating image
`signal data to be imaged and outputting it to the main control
`unit 2. On the other hand, in case of decoding data, encoded
`image data supplied from the main control unit 2 is decoded,
`thereby creating an analog image signal into which the
`encoded image data is converted and displaying an image
`corresponding to the analog image signal on the display unit
`6. The camera 11 converts an image into an electrical signal
`
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`US 2002/0002036 Al
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`Jan.3,2002
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`5
`
`and outputs the electrical signal to the image processing unit
`10. The power supply section (not shown) includes a battery
`such as a lithium ion battery, a charge circuit for charging the
`battery, and a voltage generating circuit. The voltage gen(cid:173)
`erating circuit consists of, for example, a DC/DC converter
`for generating a predetermined power voltage from the
`output voltage of the battery. Further, an illum