Radio terminal unit and radio communication system

• US 7,362,720 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kakumaru, Takahiro, Morimoto, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gary; Erika A.
• Application Number:
  US10/784,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/287 when the channel is in stand-by
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A radio terminal unit and a radio communication system, enabling power savings, the improvement of the quality of real-time communication, and the reduction of transmission delays. An operation mode determination section determines whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary based on parameters of all active communication applications set by a communication application section. When real-time processing is necessary, a communication control section transmits a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery of packets to a radio base station, and turns on the power of a radio interface section so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station. When real-time processing is unnecessary, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station.

Claims

1. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

2. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 1.

3. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

4. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 3.

5. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station; and

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

6. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 5.

7. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station; and

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

8. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 7.

9. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station; and

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left,

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

10. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 9.

11. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station; and

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

12. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 11.

13. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station; and

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

14. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 13.

15. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station; and

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

16. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 15.

17. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station; and

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

18. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 17.

19. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station; and

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left,

wherein when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

20. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 19.

21. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing each time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

22. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 21, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

23. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

24. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 23.

25. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 22.

26. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 22.

27. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing each time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

28. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 27, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

29. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 28, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

30. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 29.

31. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 28.

32. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 27.

33. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing each time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station;

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

34. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 33, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

35. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 34, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

36. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 35.

37. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 34.

38. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 33.

39. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing each time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station;

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

40. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 39, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

41. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 40, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

42. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 41.

43. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 40.

44. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 39.

45. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application every time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

46. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 45, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

47. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 46, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

48. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 47.

49. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 46.

50. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 45.

51. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application every time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

52. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 51, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

53. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 52, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

54. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 53.

55. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 52.

56. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 51.

57. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application every time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station;

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that, requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

58. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 57, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

59. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 58, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

60. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 59.

61. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 58.

62. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 57.

63. A radio terminal unit which sends a radio base station a PS-Poll as a control packet for requesting delivery so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station, comprising:

a communication control section;

a radio interface section; and

a PS-Poll transmission timing changer for changing the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll according to the operation mode of one or more communication applications which are running on the radio terminal unit, wherein;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer determines the timing of transmission of the PS-Poll so that the PS-Poll is transmitted after transmission of data from the communication application;

the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a changeover in the communication applications, and determines whether there is a communication application that requires real-time processing based on information as to whether real-time processing is necessary or unnecessary attached to the data of each communication application every time the changeover is carried out;

when there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns on the power of the radio interface section and transmits the PS-Poll to the radio base station so as to receive packets buffered by the radio base station;

when there is no communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section turns off the power of the radio interface section, and carries out intermittent receiving operation based on beacons transmitted from the radio base station;

the communication control section repeatedly receives the packets until no buffered packet remains in the radio base station by the PS-Poll, and turns off the power of the radio interface section when there is no buffered packet left, and

when the PS-Poll transmission timing changer detects a transition from a real-time processing unnecessary state, in which no communication application requires real-time processing, to a real-time processing necessary state, in which there is at least one communication application that requires real-time processing, the communication control section controls the radio interface section to transmit the PS-Poll using a timer value unrelated to a beacon interval.

64. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 63, further comprising a parameter determination section for determining the power-saving rate of the radio terminal unit and/or the priority of communication based on the power-saving rates and/or the priorities which have been set for the respective communication applications in advance, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section according to the power-saving rate and/or the priority determined by the parameter determination section.

65. The radio terminal unit claimed in claim 64, further comprising:

a battery charge detector for detecting the remaining amount of battery charge, wherein

the communication control section changes the timer value for controlling the radio interface section based on the remaining amount of battery charge detected by the battery charge detector.

66. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 65.

67. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 64.

68. A radio communication system which is a radio network system, comprising:

one or more radio base stations; and

one or more radio terminal units claimed in claim 63.