Dual-mode radio connected to an apparatus for communicating through in analog mode

• US 6,449,499 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1998
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Kurokawa, Osamu, Nakamura, Ken, Ishikura, Akira, Nomura, Yoshihiro, Hyodo, Masakuni
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Application Number:
  US09/204,306
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 455/553, 455/552, 455/556, 455/557, 455/571, 455/569
• US Class Current: 455/571
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes

Abstract

This invention provides a dual-mode radio communication apparatus which can make normal communications even when an external apparatus is connected to a radio communication apparatus, the communication scheme of which is set in a digital mode. When the radio communication apparatus is not connected to a vehicle-mount kit via a connector in an analog mode, a switch control means of a controller switches a switching circuit to communicate a signal with a base station using a built-in antenna. When the apparatus is connected to the vehicle-mount kit, the switch control means switches the switching circuit to communicate a signal with the base station using an external antenna via the vehicle-mount kit and a booster unit. In the digital mode, the switch control means switches the switching circuit to communicate a signal with the base station using the built-in antenna independently of the connection with the vehicle-mount kit.

Claims

1. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode comprising:

means for connecting the apparatus to an external device including a booster unit for boosting an RF signal generated by the apparatus;

means for determining whether the apparatus is in analog mode or digital mode and whether the external device is connected to the means for connecting; and

communication means, for communicating the RF signal directly to the base station if the means for determining determines that the apparatus is in the digital mode, and for communicating the boosted RF signal to the base station via said external apparatus if the means for determining determines that the apparatus is in the analog mode and the external device is connected to the means for connecting.

2. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, comprising:

communication means upon connected to an external apparatus, for communicating an RF signal directly to the base station in the digital mode, and for communicating the RF signal to the base station via said external apparatus in the analog mode;

wherein the RF signal is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode; and

identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal;

wherein said communication means communicates the RF signal directly to the base station when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and communicates the RF signal to the base station via said external apparatus when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

3. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, the apparatus connectable to an external device including a booster unit for boosting an RF signal generated by the apparatus, comprising:

a portable unit having an input/output terminal of an RF signal to be communicated with the base station;

an antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

an interface unit for inputting/outputting the RF signal;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in analog mode or digital mode and for determining if the interface unit is connected to the external device; and

connection switching means for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit directly to said antenna when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said antenna via said interface unit when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the analog mode and that the external device is connected to interface unit.

4. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, comprising:

a portable unit having an input/output terminal of an RF signal to be communicated with the base station;

an antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

an interface unit for inputting/outputting the RF signal;

connection switching means upon connecting an external apparatus to said interface unit for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit directly to said antenna in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said antenna via said interface unit in the analog mode;

wherein the RF signal input from said portable unit is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode; and

identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said portable unit;

wherein said connection switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit directly to said antenna when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said antenna via said interface unit when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

5. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode the apparatus connectable to an external device including a booster unit for boosting an RF signal generated by the apparatus, comprising:

a portable unit having an input/output terminal of an RF signal to be communicated with the base station;

a first antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

a second antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in analog mode or digital mode and determining if the external device is connected to the interface unit;

an interface unit which is connected to said second antenna and inputs/outputs the RF signal via said second antenna; and

connection switching means for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said interface unit when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the analog mode and that the external device is connected to the interface unit.

6. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, comprising:

a portable unit having an input/output terminal of an RF signal to be communicated with the base station;

a first antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

a second antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal;

an interface unit which is connected to said second antenna and inputs/outputs the RF signal via said second antenna;

connection switching means upon connecting an external apparatus to said interface unit for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said interface unit in the analog mode;

wherein the RF signal input from said portable unit is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode; and

identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said portable unit;

wherein said connection switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said interface unit to said interface unit when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

7. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, the apparatus connectable to an external device including a booster unit for boosting an RF signal generated by the apparatus, comprising:

a portable unit which comprises a first antenna for transmitting/receiving an RF signal to be communicated with the base station, and has an input/output terminal of the RF signal;

an interface unit which is connected to a second antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal, and inputs/outputs the RF signal;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in analog mode or digital mode; and

if the external device is connected to the interface unit; and

connection switching means

connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said interface unit when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the analog mode.

8. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, comprising:

a portable unit which comprises a first antenna for transmitting/receiving an RF signal to be communicated with the base station, and has an input/output terminal of the RF signal;

an interface unit which is connected to a second antenna for transmitting/receiving the RF signal, and inputs/outputs the RF signal;

connection switching means upon connecting an external apparatus to said interface unit for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said interface unit in the analog mode;

wherein the RF signal input from said portable unit is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode; and

identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said portable unit;

wherein said connection switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said portable unit to said first antenna when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said interface unit to said interface unit when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

9. A power supply device for generating an operation power supply voltage on the basis of an output from a battery equipped in a mobile station, and supplying the operation power supply voltage to a radio communication apparatus, comprising:

antenna connection means connected to an antenna for communicating an RF signal to be communicated between a base station and said radio communication apparatus;

a booster unit for amplifying the RF signal; and

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in an analog mode or a digital mode; and

connection switching means for inhibiting the electrical power from supplying to the booster unit and for connecting an RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus directly to said antenna connection means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in the digital mode, and for enabling the electrical power to be supplied to the booster unit and for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said antenna connection means via said booster unit when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in the analog mode.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode,

said device further comprises identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus, and

said connection switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus directly to said antenna connection means when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said antenna connection means via said booster unit when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

11. A power supply device for generating an operation power supply voltage on the basis of an output from a battery equipped in a mobile station, and supplying the operation power supply voltage to a radio communication apparatus, comprising:

first antenna means connected to a first antenna for communicating an RF signal to be communicated between a base station and said radio communication apparatus;

second antenna connection means connected to a second antenna for communicating the RF signal to be communicated between said base station and said radio communication apparatus;

a booster unit which is connected to said second antenna connection means and amplifies the RF signal transmitted/received via said second antenna connection means;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in an analog mode or a digital mode; and

connection switching means for inhibiting the electrical power from supplying to the booster unit and for connecting an RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said first antenna connection means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in a digital mode, and for enabling the electrical power to be supplied to the booster unit and for connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said booster unit when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in an analog mode.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode,

said device further comprises identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus, and

said connection switching means inhibits the electrical power from supplying to the booster unit and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said first antenna connection means when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and enables the electrical power to be supplied to the booster unit and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said booster unit when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

13. An RF signal amplifier comprising:

antenna connection means for connecting an antenna which transmits/receives an RF signal to be-communicated between a base station and a radio communication apparatus;

RF signal amplification means for amplifying the RF signal;

a controller for determining if the apparatus communicates in an analog mode or digital mode; and

connection switching means for connecting an RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus directly to said antenna connection means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in a digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said antenna connection means via said RF signal amplification means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in the analog mode.

14. An amplifier according to claim 13, wherein the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode,

said amplifier further comprises identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus, and

said connection switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus directly to said antenna connection means when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said antenna connection means via said RF signal amplification means when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

15. An RF signal amplifier comprising:

first antenna connection means for connecting a first antenna which transmits/receives an RF signal to be communicated between a base station that can be connected to a public network, and a radio communication apparatus, wherein the RF signal is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode;

identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal input from said radio communication apparatus;

second antenna connection means for connecting a second antenna which transmits/receives the RF signal;

RF signal amplification means, connected to said second antenna connection means, for amplifying the RF signal transmitted/received via said second antenna connection means;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in a analog mode or digital mode; and

connection switching means for connecting an RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said first antenna connection means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said RF signal amplification means when the controller determines that said radio communication apparatus communicates in the analog mode,

wherein said connecting switching means connects the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said first antenna connection means when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and connecting the RF signal input/output terminal of said radio communication apparatus to said RF signal amplication means when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.

16. A dual-mode radio communication apparatus capable of communicating with a base station which can be connected to a public network, by selectively using one of communication modes including an analog mode and digital mode, comprising:

generating means for generating an RF signal to be transmitted;

a controller for determining if the apparatus is in analog mode or digital mode; and

communication means, upon connecting the communication apparatus to a booster device for boosting the generated RF signal, for transmitting the generated RF signal directly to the base station when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the digital mode, and for transmitting the boosted signal to the base station via the booster device when the controller determines that the apparatus is in the analog mode.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the RF signal is superposed with information for identifying the communication mode,

said apparatus further comprises identification information extraction means for extracting the information for identifying the communication mode from the RF signal, and

said communication means transmits the generated RF signal directly to the base station when the information extracted by said identification information extraction means indicates the digital mode, and transmits the boosted signal to the base station when the extracted information indicates the analog mode.