WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL

• US 20150038122A1
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Akizuki, Ryutan, Ikeda, Yutaka, Ilda, Noboru
• Granted Patent: US 9,313,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/413
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/08 home cordless telephone systems using the DECT standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• 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

Disclosed is a wireless communication system capable of easily reconnecting a mobile information terminal and a base unit when a user returns home and letting the user know missed incoming call information or the like. To this end, when being unable to receive a signal from the base unit, the mobile information terminal enters into a sleep state, and when a predetermined operation is performed, the mobile information terminal searches for the base unit, and when reconnecting to the base unit, the terminal displays information on an item transmitted from the base unit on an operation display section. Thus, even when the user returns home but forgets switching an operation mode, the mobile information terminal searches for the base unit as soon as the predetermined operation is performed, and can obtain necessary information from the base unit at home by a simple operation when the user desires the information.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

a base unit that is to be connected to a wired network; and

a mobile information terminal comprising;

a short range communication unit configured to communicate with the base unit, using a short range communication protocol; and

a public radio communication section that performs radio communication via a public radio network, wherein

the mobile information terminal further comprises a functional button that activates a connection process of a short range communication link or a stop process of the short range communication link, wherein;

the mobile information terminal activates the stop process of the short range communication link when the functional button is operated in a state where the short range communication link is connected, and the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link when the functional button is operated in a state where the connection process of the short range communication link is not activated;

the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link when a predetermined operation other than the operation of the functional button is performed in a state where the short range communication link is stopped by the functional button, and the mobile information terminal displays, when connected to the base unit, event information transmitted from the base unit on a display section; and

the base unit records event information that occurs while the short range communication link with the mobile information terminal is disconnected, and the base unit transmits the event information to the mobile information terminal when connected to the mobile information terminal.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the event information is incoming call history information on an incoming call received by the base unit via the wired network.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the event information is a voice mail message recorded in the base unit for an incoming call that has been received by the base unit via the wired network.

4. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when the mobile information terminal cannot receive a signal from the base unit, the mobile information terminal repeats an open search for a signal from the base unit for a predetermined period and then enters in a sleep state after the predetermined period.

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when the mobile information terminal cannot receive a signal from the base unit, the mobile information terminal performs an intermittent operation in which the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link and searches for the base unit in a first predetermined cycle for a predetermined period, and after the predetermined period elapses, the mobile information terminal performs an intermittent operation in which the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link and searches for the base unit in a second predetermined cycle that is longer than the first predetermined cycle.

6. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when the mobile information terminal becomes unable to communicate with the base unit, the mobile information terminal performs a display operation to indicate that the mobile information terminal is not connected to the short range communication link.

7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal further comprises a touch panel and is configured to connect to a mobile telephone network and the Internet via a public radio network.

8. A mobile information terminal comprising:

a short range communication unit configured to communicate with a base unit of a wireless communication system, using a short range communication protocol; and

a public radio communication section that performs radio communication via a public radio network, wherein

the mobile information terminal further comprises a functional button that activates a connection process of a short range communication link or a stop process of the short range communication link, wherein;

the mobile information terminal stops connection of the short range communication link when the functional button is operated in a state where the short range communication link is connected, and the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link when the functional button is operated in a state where the short range communication link is not operated; and

the mobile information terminal activates the connection process of the short range communication link and searches for the base station when a predetermined operation other than the operation of the functional button is performed in a state where the short range communication link is stopped by the functional button, and the mobile information terminal displays, when connected to the base unit, event information transmitted from the base unit on a display section.