Radio communication apparatus and control method therefor

• US 6,175,731 B1
• Filed: 11/20/1997
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Ohsuge, Michihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US08/975,190
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426, 455/436, 455/437, 455/438, 455/439, 455/445, 455/461, 455/552, 455/462-465, 455/450, 455/453, 455/454, 455/417, 455/434, 455/62, 455/509, 455/510, 455/513, 455/514, 455/515, 455/517, 455/556
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In placing a call, a destination telephone number entered through the keyboard section 12 is saved in a storage device 10. A signal indicating that a line cannot be connected (BUSY signal) enters into a BUSY measurement section 13 from a base station through a radio section 2. When it continues for a predetermined period of time, a control section 8 automatically changes over the mode to another system mode, and automatically places a call to a telephone number saved in a storage device 10. Thus, a communication system in which a line is empty can be searched with single outgoing operation, so that operability is improved.

Claims

1. A radio communication apparatus being capable of accommodating at least a first and second communication system, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a call signal for connecting a line to the first communication system;

a receiver for receiving a line connection unallowable signal from the first communication system, the line connection unallowable signal being received in response to the call signal and indicative that the line cannot be assigned;

a change-over unit for changing over from the first communication system to the second communication system with which the radio communication apparatus shall communicate when the line connection unallowable signal is received by said receiver, whereby said transmitter transmits the call signal to the second communication system;

an operator unit for inputting a first telephone number, whereby the call signal is transmitted to the first communication system;

a memory for storing the first telephone number;

a reader unit for reading the first telephone number from said memory when a changing-over from the first communication system to the second communication system is performed by said change-over unit, whereby the call signal is transmitted to the second communication system from said transmitter; and

a converter for converting the first telephone number stored in said memory into a second telephone number for said second communication system when the call signal to said second communication system is to be transmitted.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a detector for detecting disconnection of a line during calling.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said disconnection of line during calling is determined depending on detected electric field intensity and line quality.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said change-over means performs change-over when the value of at least one of said received electric field intensity and said line quality immediately before line disconnection is deteriorated by a predetermined value or more.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least first and second communication systems are different form each other and each of said first and second communication systems is one of a personal handy phone system (PHS), a cellular phone system, a cordless telephone system, a car telephone system, a bidirectional pager system, and a radio communication system for an electronic notebook.

6. A method for selecting connection of communication systems for a radio communication apparatus being capable of accommodating at least a first communication system and a second communication system, said method comprising:

transmitting a call signal to said first communication system;

receiving a line connection unallowable signal from the first communication system, the line connection unallowable signal being received in response to the call signal and indicative that a line cannot be assigned;

automatically changing over from the first communication system to said second communication system with which the radio communication apparatus shall communicate when the line connection unallowable signal is received;

transmitting the call signal to the second communication system when a change over from the first communication system to the second communication system is performed;

inputting a first telephone number, whereby the call signal is transmitted to the first communication system;

storing the first telephone number in a memory in the radio communication apparatus;

reading the first telephone number from said memory when a change-over from the first communication system to the second communication system is performed, whereby the call signal is transmitted to the second communication system; and

automatically converting the first telephone number into a second telephone number for said second communication system when the call signal is transmitted to said second communication system, and when said first and second communication systems have different telephone numbering systems.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 further comprising:

detecting disconnection of a line during calling; and

automatically changing over from said first communication system to said second communication system if said disconnection of the line is caused by deterioration of line quality at the calling set.