JP2004320542A - Radio relaying device, and relaying method of radio communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio relaying device and a radio communication relaying method for putting together or distributing transmission data among radio communication devices. <P>SOLUTION: The radio relaying device relays radio communications among a plurality of radio communication devices. At first, a first service and configuration information representing the configuration of a radio communication device associated with the service are established at the radio relaying device. A service available by the radio communication device is searched according to a service search procedure. The radio communication device associated with the searched service is identified based on the configuration information, and connection with the identified radio communication device is activated. Radio communication channels between radio communication devices for starting the connection are put together or distributed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and method, and more particularly, to a relay device that aggregates or distributes communication data between wireless communication devices and a wireless communication relay method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a specification of a wireless communication system called Bluetooth (trademark) standardized by Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) (see Non-Patent Document 1 below), a 2.4 GHz band (ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band) is used. (Also referred to as wireless communication links). The protocol of the wireless communication link is based on time slots, and enables real-time voice and data communication between Bluetooth devices.
[0003]
Many Bluetooth devices have been provided so far, such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), portable devices such as headsets, peripheral devices for personal computers (PCs), in-vehicle devices, and digital home appliances. . In many cases, these Bluetooth devices are configured on the assumption that the connection with other Bluetooth devices is basically one-to-one. One example is a protocol such as RFCOMM that emulates serial communication. One of the features of Bluetooth is a connection form called ad hoc, which automatically establishes an ad hoc connection with a necessary partner device when necessary.
[0004]
While the one-to-one connection mode (network topology) is simple and can reduce the processing load of the entire network, a service that can be realized without any problem may not be realized with a many-to-many connection mode. For example, wireless connection with a large number of correspondent devices at the same time for the purpose of distributing electronic presentation materials online, of course, cannot be performed in a one-to-one connection mode. In this case, first connect to one partner device and perform the required operation.After completing the connection with this partner device, connect to another partner device and perform the same operation with this partner device. Work must be repeated for all of the other devices. In addition, while a connection is being made between a certain Bluetooth device, it is not possible to interrupt another device while the connection is being made. For this purpose, the current connection must be temporarily terminated.
[0005]
Further, for example, when a plurality of Bluetooth devices provide a plurality of related services in the same piconet, it is not possible for a single Bluetooth device to be provided with the service to simultaneously use the related plurality of services. It is not possible to temporarily switch to another service while maintaining the state while using one service, in other words, to interruptly use another service.
[0006]
[Non-patent document 1]
Internet <URL: http: // www. Bluetooth. org>
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless relay device that aggregates or distributes communication data between wireless communication devices and a wireless communication relay method.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A wireless relay device according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay device that relays wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices, and specifies information of one service and the wireless communication device that provides the service. Setting means for setting the configuration information, service search means for searching for a service that the wireless communication device can provide according to a predetermined service search procedure, and a service searched by the service search means from the wireless communication device. Connection processing means for specifying a wireless communication device that provides the service based on the search result of the service search means and the configuration information, and starting connection with the specified wireless communication device; and Wireless communication data input through at least one or more first wireless communication channels with the wireless communication device that has started the communication. Comprising a wireless communication channel aggregation means for outputting to the second radio communication channel between the devices.
[0009]
A wireless relay device according to another aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay device that relays wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices, and specifies information of one service and a wireless communication device that provides the service. Setting means for setting the configuration information, service search means for searching for a service that the wireless communication device can provide according to a predetermined service search procedure, and a service searched by the service search means from the wireless communication device. A wireless communication device that provides the wireless communication device based on the search result of the service search unit and the configuration information, and a connection processing unit that starts connection with the identified wireless communication device; Wireless communication data input through the first wireless communication channel between the wireless communication device and another wireless communication device that has started connection by the connection processing means. It includes a wireless communication channel distribution means for distributing the Kutomo one or more second wireless communication channel.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection form (network topology) of a plurality of Bluetooth devices. M Bluetooth target devices 1, 2,. . . M and N Bluetooth target devices 1, 2,. . . N, a Bluetooth relay device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “relay device”) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is interposed. The relay device 10 aggregates an L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol) channel between each of the target devices 1 to M and an L2CAP channel between each of the source devices 1 to N. Or distribute. Further, the relay device 10 controls QoS (Quality of Service) of Bluetooth communication.
[0011]
The relay device 10 of the present embodiment is a wireless relay device provided for the purpose of relaying Bluetooth communication so that a plurality of services can be used simultaneously or in an interrupt manner. One of the significance of interposing the relay device 10 between Bluetooth devices is a role of a master in Bluetooth communication. In Bluetooth communication, a device having a relatively high function such as a personal computer (PC) or a PDA is given a role of a master, and a mobile device such as a headset which is not necessarily a high function may not be a master. In a situation where a device that cannot be the master and a device that is not the master are mixed in the network as described above, the Bluetooth communication can be flexibly started (inquiry; starting with Inquiry) from any device to use the service. Therefore, the relay device 10 is configured to be able to execute the master role. Note that the configuration may be such that a roll switch (specifically, a HCI (Host Controller Interface) roll switch) can be performed after the connection is started. In one embodiment, the same user carries and uses two Bluetooth devices, a portable device such as a headset and a relay device configured to have portability. As can be easily understood from this embodiment, the convenience of the service when using the existing Bluetooth device as it is can be improved.
[0012]
FIG. 2 shows an example of aggregation of the L2CAP channel. In this example, the relay device 10 aggregates the L2CAP channel between the Bluetooth source device 1 and the L2CAP channel between the Bluetooth source device 2 into a single L2CAP channel to the Bluetooth target device M. . According to the aggregation of the L2CAP channels by the relay device 10, the connection with other devices as viewed from the Bluetooth target device M is one. When a plurality of L2CAP channels are aggregated into a single L2CAP channel, the relay device 10 processes the L2CAP packet based on configuration information indicating device information in each service. That is, the content of this processing depends on the service (application).
[0013]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the distribution of the L2CAP channel. Distribution is a pairing concept of aggregation, in this example, a single L2CAP channel of the Bluetooth source device 2 is relayed by the repeater 10 to the L2CAP channel to the Bluetooth target device 2 and the L2CAP channel to the Bluetooth target device M. And distributed to. When distributing a single L2CAP channel to a plurality of L2CAP channels, the relay device 10 processes the L2CAP packet based on the configuration information as in the case of the above aggregation. The content of this processing also depends on the service (application).
[0014]
The above-described relay control of the L2CAP channel in the relay device 10 can be realized based on a known L2CAP process. Regarding L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Conformance Protocol), the specifications specified in Bluetooth SIG can be referred to.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the Bluetooth relay device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the relay device 10 includes an L2CAP layer unit 101, an SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) unit 102, a Bluetooth module unit (Bluetooth Module) 103, and a control unit (Control) 105. The L2CAP layer unit 101 has an aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit (Aggregation / Distribution / QoS Modules) 106. The components of the module unit 106 are shown in FIGS. The control unit 105 has configuration information (Configuration) 104. The configuration information 104 is stored and held in a storage unit such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk device.
[0016]
The L2CAP layer unit 101 is a unit that performs connection processing in the L2CAP layer and manages L2CAP channels related to aggregation and distribution and QoS under the control of the control unit 105. The L2CAP layer unit 101 accesses the Bluetooth module unit 103 through HCI, and Transfers packet data. In the processing related to aggregation, distribution, and QoS, the configuration of the aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit 106 is dynamically changed based on the configuration information, and processing required for each service (application) is performed.
[0017]
The SDP unit 102 makes an inquiry about a function or a service provided by the Bluetooth device in the piconet under the control of the control unit 105 according to a service discovery protocol (Service Discovery Protocol). Information about the service found by this search is held in the control unit 105.
[0018]
The Bluetooth module unit 103 is a part mainly responsible for processing of layers lower than HCI (including a link management (LM) layer, a physical layer, and the like). Under the control of the control unit 105, the Bluetooth module unit 103 makes an inquiry (Inquiry) for knowing the existence of a Bluetooth device (device) within the piconet (within a short distance). Information on the discovered device is stored in the control unit 105.
[0019]
The control unit 105 is a unit that controls the components of the relay device 10 as a whole, and includes a processor and a storage unit such as a memory.
[0020]
An example of a connection sequence by the relay device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0021]
First, in step S1, the configuration information 104 is set. This may be performed manually through a setting screen or the like, or may be performed by automatic processing if possible. The configuration information 104 is managed by the control unit 105.
[0022]
The configuration information 104 corresponds, for each service, to information indicating the configuration of a Bluetooth device (device) associated with the service. The Bluetooth device associated with the service refers to a Bluetooth device that may be connected to the relay device 10 when executing the service. According to the configuration information 104, a Bluetooth device associated with the service can be specified for each service.
[0023]
Specifically, the configuration information 104 includes, for example, the following information. That is, PSM (Protocol / Service Multiplexor) value, Bluetooth address of device, PIN code, availability of HCI roll switch, input / output direction of L2CAP data for each PSM or Bluetooth address (input only, output only, or both), The information is a combination of the priority, the type of module used in the aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit 106, and the like. Of these, the availability of the Bluetooth address and the HCI roll switch is not essential. The PSM is used as information that uniquely represents a service in the SDP.
[0024]
Assuming that the configuration information 104 is set appropriately, in the next step S2, a search for a neighboring device is performed. This is performed by the Bluetooth module unit 103 transmitting an inquiry (Inquiry) message in response to an instruction from the control unit 105. If several Bluetooth devices (devices) are found by this search, information on the devices is held in the control unit 105 as described above. Subsequently, the SDP unit 102 performs a service search according to the service search protocol. The information about the service found here is also stored in the control unit 105.
[0025]
To start the service, the control unit 105 first instructs the L2CAP layer unit 101 to start a connection process in step S3. Here, the L2CAP layer unit 101 refers to the configuration information 104 stored in the control unit 105, specifies a previously discovered device indicated in the information 104, and issues a connection request (Connection Request). The order of the devices to be connected may be arbitrary. In addition, the relay device 10 of the present embodiment does not perform processing such as terminating L2CAP communication, that is, transferring a L2CAP configuration request (Configuration Request).
[0026]
As described above, the relay device 10 that starts the connection in step S3 has the master role. In other words, the relay device 10 starts to connect to another Bluetooth device to become a master. Note that this does not apply to devices that can be connected while performing a roll switch.
[0027]
When the connection processing in step S3 is completed, communication of service (application) data starts between the Bluetooth devices. Input / output data for the device is provided from the Bluetooth module 103 to the L2CAP layer 101. The L2CAP layer unit 101 appropriately distributes input data and output data based on the configuration information 104 and sends the data to the aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit 106. The aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit 106 dynamically combines internal modules to realize necessary processing depending on a service (application), and processes input / output data, specifically, L2CAP packets.
[0028]
6 to 9 show examples of some processing modules that can be used in L2CAP aggregation. FIG. 6 shows a mixer module (Mixer Module) 201 which is used when multiplexing a plurality of L2CAP data inputs to obtain a single output. FIG. 7 shows a toggle switch (Toggle Switch) 202, which is used when any one of a plurality of L2CAP data inputs is selected and output. FIG. 8 shows a sequencer module (Sequencer Module) 203, which sequentially selects and outputs inputs according to a predetermined procedure. What is shown in FIG. 9 is a queue 204, which buffers data to obtain a unit of data.
[0029]
The L2CAP data subjected to the logical channel control mainly by the operation of the aggregation / distribution / QoS module unit 106 of the L2CAP layer unit 101 is wirelessly transmitted / received to / from a partner device by the Bluetooth module 103.
[0030]
Then, in step S5, it is determined whether the Bluetooth communication can be disconnected. If not yet cut, the process returns to step S4 to continue the process. In the case where the disconnection process is performed in step S6, for example, when the device with the highest priority regarding input disconnects, all communication with the other devices maintained by the relay device 10 regarding this device is disconnected. The configuration information 104 can be referred to for the device priority.
[0031]
According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, for example, when a plurality of Bluetooth devices provide a plurality of related services in the same piconet, the related plurality of Bluetooth devices are provided in one Bluetooth device receiving the service. Services can be used at the same time. Further, it is also possible to temporarily switch to another service while using the service while using the service (using another service in an interrupted manner).
[0032]
(Examples of Applications) As is well known, there are a wide variety of Bluetooth devices. The present invention can be implemented as a relay device interposed between various Bluetooth devices and a relatively low-function Bluetooth device that cannot be a master as described above, and a variety of applications can be implemented. For example, it is conceivable to realize an application having a function of switching between main audio and sub audio using a headset, a mobile phone, and various AV (Audio / Video) devices having an audio processing function.
[0033]
Also, a semiconductor audio player (for example, a portable MP3 player, downloadable MPEG audio portable player, etc.) which reproduces a compressed and recorded music data by a method such as MP3, ATARAC3, TwinVQ in a memory, or a device such as a mobile phone. The present invention can be used to implement an application such as inserting an announcement from a hot spot device installed on a street corner or the like or interrupting an incoming phone call while viewing data.
[0034]
Further, applications such as multiplexing of text information and video information in a video / audio device such as a karaoke device, and distribution (distribution) of electronic information such as presentation materials and conference audio by wireless communication in an electronic conference system are also conceivable.
[0035]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements in an implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Further, components of different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless relay device that aggregates or distributes communication data between wireless communication devices and a wireless communication relay method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection form (network topology) of a Bluetooth device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of aggregation (Aggregation) of L2CAP channels according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of L2CAP channel distribution according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the Bluetooth relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connection sequence by the relay device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mixer module according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a toggle switch according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sequencer module according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the queue which concerns on the said embodiment.
1, 2, M, N: Bluetooth device (source or target), 10: Bluetooth relay device, 101: L2CAP layer unit, 103: Bluetooth module unit, 104: Configuration information, 105: Control unit, 106: Aggregation / distribution / QoS module section, 201: mixer module, 202: toggle switch, 203: sequencer module, 204: queue

Claims (6)

A wireless relay device that relays wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices,
Setting means for setting information of one service and configuration information of the wireless communication device providing the service;
Service search means for searching for a service that can be provided by the wireless communication device according to a predetermined service search procedure;
From the wireless communication device, a wireless communication device that provides the service searched by the service search unit is specified based on the search result of the service search unit and the configuration information, and the wireless communication device Connection processing means for starting a connection,
Outputting wireless communication data input through at least one or more first wireless communication channels with the wireless communication device that has started connection by the connection processing means to a second wireless communication channel with another wireless communication device; Wireless communication channel aggregation means,
A wireless relay device comprising: Processing means for performing processing determined for each service searched by the service search means on the wireless communication data input through the first wireless communication channel, wherein the processing includes multiplexing processing for the wireless communication data 2. The wireless relay device according to claim 1, comprising one or a combination of a switching process, a sequence control process, and a queue process. A wireless relay device that relays wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices,
Setting means for setting information of one service and configuration information of the wireless communication device providing the service;
Service search means for searching for a service that can be provided by the wireless communication device according to a predetermined service search procedure;
From the wireless communication device, a wireless communication device that provides the service searched by the service search unit is specified based on the search result of the service search unit and the configuration information, and the wireless communication device Connection processing means for starting a connection,
Wireless communication data input through a first wireless communication channel with a certain wireless communication device is transmitted to at least one or more second wireless communication channels with another wireless communication device that has started connection by the connection processing means. Wireless communication channel distribution means for distributing;
A wireless relay device comprising: Processing means for performing processing determined for each service searched by the service search means on the wireless communication data input through the first wireless communication channel, wherein the processing includes multiplexing processing for the wireless communication data 4. The wireless relay device according to claim 3, comprising one or a combination of a switching process, a sequence control process, and a queue process. A method of relaying wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices by a wireless relay device,
A setting step of setting information of one service and configuration information of the wireless communication device that provides the service;
A service search step of searching for a service that can be provided by the wireless communication device according to a predetermined service search procedure;
From the wireless communication device, a wireless communication device that provides the service searched for in the service search step is specified based on the search result in the service search step and the configuration information, and the wireless communication device A connection processing step for starting a connection;
Outputting wireless communication data input through at least one or more first wireless communication channels with the wireless communication device that has started the connection in the connection processing step to a second wireless communication channel with another wireless communication device; Wireless communication channel aggregation step
A method for relaying wireless communication data, comprising: A method of relaying wireless communication between a plurality of wireless communication devices by a wireless relay device,
A setting step of setting information of one service and configuration information of the wireless communication device that provides the service;
A service search step of searching for a service that can be provided by the wireless communication device according to a predetermined service search procedure;
From the wireless communication device, a wireless communication device that provides the service searched for in the service search step is specified based on the search result in the service search step and the configuration information, and the wireless communication device A connection processing step for starting a connection;
The wireless communication data input through the first wireless communication channel with a certain wireless communication device is transmitted to at least one or more second wireless communication channels with another wireless communication device that has started the connection in the connection processing step. A wireless communication channel distribution step of distributing;
A method for relaying wireless communication data, comprising:

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