JP6697052B2 - Method and apparatus for operating companion device - Google Patents

Description

  Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication techniques, including cellular and near field communication techniques. More particularly, example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for operating companion devices, and corresponding companion devices.

  The following description of the background is not known in the pertinent art at the time of this disclosure, and may be an insight, a discovery, an understanding, or a disclosure provided by this disclosure, or a combination thereof. It may include an association. Some such contributions of the disclosure may be specifically pointed out below, and other such contributions of the disclosure will be apparent from their respective contexts.

  Today, more and more people in their daily lives use pairs of matched wireless communication devices for portable communication, where one device is a near field communication device such as a Bluetooth device. It may be a compatible device and the other may be a cellular communication device, such as a mobile phone, with a Bluetooth chip embedded therein to support Bluetooth communication with the Bluetooth device. Bluetooth devices are generally relatively convenient due to their small size and are relatively convenient for people to use during physical exercise such as jogging or while driving. In these situations, incoming calls from the cellular network can be answered by a Bluetooth device, such as a Bluetooth headset or Bluetooth enabled watch, through the mobile phone, and Phones are not suitable for answering calls while walking, jogging, or driving due to their larger size and poor portability than Bluetooth devices.

  Although the combined use of the Bluetooth device and the cellular device described above provides great convenience to the user, it has some drawbacks. For example, a Bluetooth device typically works with the cellular device to access the cellular network, so the user does not have to connect to the cellular network if his or her mobile phone is not available. Let's see Furthermore, if a Bluetooth device were assumed to be enabled to access a cellular network, such access would result in a significant reduction in its battery life.

  The following content presents a brief summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Note that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and is not intended to identify key / critical elements of the disclosure or delineate the scope of the disclosure. .. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method comprises detecting in the companion device the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. The method also includes connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting the absence of the primary device.

  In one embodiment, the method further comprises connecting the companion device to the primary device as a short range hands-free accessory upon detecting the presence of the primary device.

  In another embodiment, the method comprises detecting if the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and detecting the short range radio frequency link is lost. And connecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In yet another embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the method further comprises disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network.

  In a further embodiment, the method comprises detecting whether the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and detecting when the short range radio frequency link is lost. And reconnecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In one embodiment, connecting the companion device to the cellular network comprises using the subscriber identity module of the companion device to connect to the cellular network.

  In another embodiment, the at least one short range radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program instructions. The memory and computer program instructions, together with at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to detect, at least in the companion device, the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. Has been done. Also, the memory and computer program instructions, together with the at least one processor, are configured to cause the device to connect the companion device to the cellular network, at least when the device detects the absence of the primary device. ..

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises means for detecting in a companion device the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one short range radio frequency communication technique. The apparatus also has means for connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting that the primary device is not present.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code, when executed, in a companion device in accordance with at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. It is configured to control the device to detect the presence of a primary device paired with the device. The program code is also configured, when executed, to control the device to connect the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting the absence of the primary device.

  The aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be utilized separately or in combination, and various combinations are intended to address at least some of the intent of the present disclosure referred to below. May be configured.

  According to aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, by operating as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory, a primary device is present or available for cellular connection without maintaining a cellular network connection. Due to the goodness, the battery life of the companion device can be extended. Furthermore, due to the fact that both the primary device and the companion device support cellular connectivity, access to the cellular network based on the presence of the primary device allows the user to access the cellular network, It is relatively easy and possible.

  Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages, which are presented for the purpose of illustration, will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connectivity architecture in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of operating a companion device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which specific embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are This disclosure is provided as an example, in order to be sufficient and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

  In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. For example, a companion device may be a second or complementary device to a feature phone or smartphone (primary device) throughout this disclosure. Companion devices may be perceived as having relatively long battery life, small morphology, and limited functionality, and are typically configured with cellular voice and text messaging and, possibly, corresponding hardware or software. If it supports cellular data, then. The companion device may be expected to be used in place of the primary device if the primary device is considered too bulky or too elevated for the event. The companion device could automatically adapt to the current environment. For example, if the primary device and the companion device are in range of low power radio frequencies, the companion device consumes less power than it would if it were operating as a standalone telephone device for cellular access. It may be changed to a free device.

  Further, the primary device throughout the disclosure may be a mobile handset, multimedia tablet, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer that may connect to the companion device according to at least one near field communication technique, such as the Bluetooth technique. , A tablet computer, a personal communication device (PCS) device, or any other type of mobile terminal.

  Furthermore, cellular network may refer to any existing cellular communication standard or specification or future developed cellular standard or specification throughout this disclosure. Existing cellular standards include, for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network), and E without limitation. -UTRAN (Evolved-UTRAN), GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) or EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) network, GERAN (GSM / EDGE Radio Access Network), or generally OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) ) It may include one of 3GPP standardized mobile communication networks such as a network.

  All references to "an element, device, component, means, or step" refer to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, or step unless explicitly stated otherwise. It is necessary to interpret it openly. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. Also, the statements made above and below in relation to any of the aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to the portion related to any other aspect of the present disclosure.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, detection of nearby mobile (primary) devices initiates decoupling or disconnection within the companion device from the cellular network and connects to the mobile device as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory. Is used as a trigger for. Furthermore, the detection of the link loss of the short-range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device may be used, for example, to initiate a procedure for coupling to a cellular network in the companion device using a SIM certificate in the companion device. It may be used as a trigger. Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connectivity architecture 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the architecture 100 has one companion device implemented as a Bluetooth headset and one primary device implemented as a mobile phone, where the companion device and the primary device are , May be connected to each other via a short-range wireless link 3 according to a corresponding short-range communication technique. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a base station that provides companion and primary devices with cellular coverage, exemplarily shown as an ellipse. In other words, if desired by the user, the base station will establish cellular communication with one of the companion device and the primary device via the respective radio link 1 or 2.

  The primary device and companion device shown herein are for illustrative purposes only, and within the coverage area of a base station, depending on the coverage capability of the base station, some primary devices may be used. And there may be individual companion devices. Furthermore, depending on the different implementations, there may be additional entities within architecture 100 that are not shown for purposes of simplicity. For example, the MME / S-GW entity may connect with a base station (eg, NodeB or E-NodeB (Evolved NodeB)) to connect the primary device to the core network and transfer data between the base station and the core network. You may connect.

  FIG. 2 is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method 200 of operating a companion device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, at S201, the method 200 detects the presence of a primary device in the companion device paired with the companion device according to at least one near field radio frequency communication technique. As mentioned above, the companion device herein may be any suitable near field communication device that may be pre-paired with a primary device such as a Bluetooth headset or watch. In S202, method 200 connects the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting that the primary device is not present.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the method 200, upon detecting the presence of the primary device, causes the companion device to be a short range hands-free accessory (eg, headset or watch) to the primary device. The method may further include the step of connecting. In another example, the method 200 includes detecting if the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and detecting the short range radio frequency link is lost. , Connecting the companion device to the cellular network.

  In some exemplary embodiments, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the method further comprises disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network. As a result, the case where two devices are accessing the cellular network is avoided, and this could extend the battery life of the companion device.

  In some exemplary embodiments, the method 200 detects if the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary is lost, and the short range radio frequency link is lost. Reconnecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detection. This can occur in scenarios where the companion device and the primary device are physically separated from each other to the extent that the short range link therebetween cannot be maintained, such as tens of meters. Let's When the companion device is carried by a user and a cellular connection is considered necessary, the companion device may initiate a binding procedure according to a cellular technique, such as a random access procedure, to connect to the cellular network. Become. This coupling procedure can be triggered as a default mode within the companion device, or it can be triggered manually.

  In some example embodiments, connecting the companion device to the cellular network may include using the subscriber identity module of the companion device to connect to the cellular network. With the subscriber identity module and its subscription separate from the primary device, the cellular connection initiated by the companion device in accordance with the present disclosure may or may not depend on the subscription within the primary device. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one short range radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  According to the method 200 and its variants described above in various embodiments that can be carried by a companion device, it is possible to avoid simultaneous access to the cellular network by both the primary device and the companion device, and thus , Could save wireless communication resources. Furthermore, access to the cellular network by the companion device could be suspended when the primary device is in use, thus extending the battery life of the companion device. Furthermore, the user is given the option as to whether to select a primary device or a companion device to access the cellular radio service, for example depending on his preferences or the context or environment in which he is involved. May be.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, there will be two sets of subscriber identity modules and individual subscriptions associated with multi-SIM subscriptions where device call logs and messages are not synchronized. You can encounter common problems. For example, a call or read text message answered from one device will appear on the other device as an unanswered call or unread message. Accordingly, example embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize a communication protocol for call log synchronization. The operating system (“OS: Operating System”) of the device may also provide an application program interface (“API: Application Program Interface”) for operating call logs and message storage. Such integration is now possible on many smartphones, as evidenced by, for example, Skype call logs integrated with regular call logs. This kind of synchronization protocol could be run on the Bluetooth generic attribute protocol or, if supported on the companion device, on the cellular data.

  FIG. 3 is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method 300 of operating a companion device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, at S301, method 300 pairs a companion device with a primary device. This pairing operation may be performed in a conventional manner. For example, the user may initiate a Bluetooth scanning procedure, and thus the primary device may begin scanning for nearby companion devices. Once the companion device is found, for example, the identity of the companion device is shown on the display of the primary device, the user is prompted to enter the password provided by the companion device, and thus the pairing procedure. Is completed.

  At S302, the method 300 switches on the companion device at some point after the initial pairing operation and allows the companion device to enter the Bluetooth scan state. In other words, the companion device initiates a scan for the pre-paired primary device by using the normal Bluetooth scanning procedure. At S303, method 300 determines if a known primary device is found. If found, at S304, method 300 connects the companion device to the primary device as a Bluetooth handset, for example, by using the Bluetooth handsfree profile. If not found, at S305, method 300 connects the companion device to the cellular network by using the procedure defined for the cellular network of interest. After this, the companion device will operate in standalone mode to provide the user with cellular access.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the companion device is connected to the cellular network and then moves in the vicinity of the primary device. The companion device may perform a periodic Bluetooth page scan procedure and the primary device may also perform paging of known devices. Once the primary device is found, the companion device connects to the primary device as a Bluetooth handset using the Bluetooth handsfree profile and uses the procedure defined for the cellular network in question, as described above. Thereby uncoupling from the cellular network. With the companion device connected over Bluetooth, a phonebook access profile may be used for name-based dialing and to display the name of the caller of the incoming call. Similarly, as with many current Bluetooth car kits, messaging access protocols may be used to send / receive text messages.

  From the above, access to a cellular network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is very flexible, and thus the user is concerned with the selection of any device he or she desires for cellular access. It can be seen that it has a relatively large degree of freedom. Furthermore, using the primary device for cellular communication, if present, may reduce the load on the companion device in terms of battery life and throughput.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart that schematically illustrates a method 400 of operating a companion device according to another example embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first step S401, the companion device may be short-distance connected to the primary device, for example, in the hands-free mode. At S402, method 400 determines if a Bluetooth link is still present between the companion device and the primary device. For example, a Bluetooth link management protocol may be applied to determine if the Bluetooth link is lost. If the Bluetooth link is lost, then at S403, method 400 connects the companion device to the cellular network, and thus the companion device may start operating in stand-alone mode. For example, the companion device joins the cellular network using the procedure defined for the cellular network of interest. If the answer in S402 is no, then in S401 the companion device remains in hands-free mode as a Bluetooth hands-free accessory.

  FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus 500 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, apparatus 500 includes at least one processor 501, such as a data processor, at least one memory (MEM) 502 coupled to processor 501, and a suitable RF coupled to processor 501. A transmitter TX and a receiver RX503. The MEM 502 stores a program (PROG) 504. The TX / RX 503 is for bidirectional wireless communication. Note that the TX / RX 503 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, but in practice the device will typically have several antennas, eg for MIMO communication. ..

  PROG 504, when executed by processor 501, provides instructions that enable apparatus 500 to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein in connection with methods 200-400. It is assumed to include. For example, apparatus 500 may be implemented as, or as part of, a companion device for performing methods 200-400.

  In general, embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by at least one processor 501 of device 500, or by hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

  The MEM 502 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and as non-limiting examples, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory devices. It may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology such as memory and removable memory. Although only one MEM is shown within device 500, there may be several physically separate memory units within device 500. Processor 501 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and by way of non-limiting example, general purpose computer, special purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP). , And one or more of a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The apparatus 500 may include multiple processors, such as, for example, application specific integrated circuit chips coupled in a non-delayed manner coupled to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the at least one memory and computer program instructions cause the companion device to be detected by the at least one processor when the apparatus 500 further detects that a primary device is present. Is configured to connect to the primary device as a short range hands-free accessory. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one memory and computer program instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the apparatus 500 to further lose the near field radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device. Configured to connect the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting the loss of the short range radio frequency link.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and the at least one memory and computer program instructions are further connected by the at least one processor to the apparatus 500 to connect the companion device from the cellular network. It is configured to disconnect.

  In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one memory and computer program instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the device 500 to further determine whether the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary is lost. Is detected and the short range radio frequency link is lost, the companion device is configured to reconnect to the cellular network.

  In the exemplary embodiment, at least one memory and computer program instructions are configured by at least one processor to cause device 500 to use the subscriber identity module of the companion device to connect to the cellular network. ing.

  FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary apparatus 600 according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus 600 comprises means 601 for detecting in a companion device the presence of a primary device paired with the companion device according to at least one short range radio frequency communication technique. The apparatus 600 further comprises means 602 for connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detecting the absence of the primary device.

  According to some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 600 further comprises means for connecting the companion device to the primary device as a short range hands-free accessory upon detecting the presence of the primary device. In another exemplary embodiment, apparatus 600 includes a means for detecting whether the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and the short range radio frequency link being lost. Means for connecting the companion device to the cellular network upon detection.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the companion device is connected to the cellular network, and apparatus 600 further comprises means for disconnecting the companion device from the cellular network. In another exemplary embodiment, apparatus 600 includes means for detecting whether the short range radio frequency link between the companion device and the primary is lost, and detecting that the short range radio frequency link is lost. And reconnecting the companion device to the cellular network. In a further exemplary embodiment, the means 602 for connecting the companion device to the cellular network comprises means for using the subscriber identity module of the companion device to connect to the cellular network. In a further exemplary embodiment, the at least one short range radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique.

  It is to be appreciated that apparatus 600 is capable of performing methods 200-400 according to embodiments of the present disclosure and may be implemented as another form of companion device, or as part thereof.

  The techniques described herein are described in connection with an embodiment in which a device implementing one or more functions of a corresponding mobile entity described in accordance with the embodiment is not only a means of the prior art. Two or more means, such as also having means for implementing one or more functions of the corresponding device being provided, and having separate means for each separate function. It may be implemented by various means such that it may be configured to perform the functions of. For example, the techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or a combination thereof. In the case of firmware or software, implementation may be through modules (eg, procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. The software code may be stored in any suitable one or more processor / computer readable data storage media or one or more memory units or one or more products, and one or more It may be executed by a processor / computer. The data storage medium or memory unit may be implemented within the processor / computer or external to the processor / computer, and if implemented via various means known in the art. It may be communicatively coupled to a processor / computer.

  One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure described herein that will have the benefit of the teachings presented in the above description and related drawings. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Please understand. Although specific terms have been utilized herein, these terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (18)

Method,
Comprising the steps of detecting the presence of a primary device in companion device, the companion device is connected to a cellular network, comprising the steps,
Connecting the companion device to the primary device according to short range radio frequency communication techniques;
The step of performing a user selection,
The companion device to disconnect from the cellular network or to connect the primary device to the cellular network, or,
Maintaining the connection to the cellular network of the companion device Instead of connecting the primary device to the cellular network,
Performing a user selection for
A method comprising:   The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting that the primary device is present, the companion device is connected to the primary device as a short range accessory.   The method of claim 1, wherein the companion device and the primary device are connected to the cellular network prior to connecting the companion device to the primary device.   The method of claim 1, wherein the user selection is prompted at the companion device. In response to receiving the input Te the companion device odor, further comprising the step of connecting to the cellular network the primary device the companion device to disconnect from the cellular network, according to claim 4 the method of. Detecting whether the short-range radio-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost; and when the short-range radio-frequency link is detected, the companion device is connected to the cellular when connected cut against the network, and re-connection, further comprising a method according to claim 5. In response to receiving the input Te the companion device smell, the primary device instead of being connected to the cellular network, further comprising the step, a to stay connected to the cellular network of the companion device The method according to claim 4 .   The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning the primary device at regular intervals at the companion device, thereby detecting the primary device. Method,
Comprising the steps of detecting the presence of a companion device at the primary device, the primary device is connected to a cellular network, comprising the steps,
Connecting the primary device to the companion device according to short range radio frequency communication techniques;
The step of performing a user selection,
The primary device to disconnect from the cellular network or to connect the companion device to the cellular network, or,
Maintaining the connection to the cellular network of said primary device Instead of connecting the companion device to the cellular network,
Performing a user selection for
A method comprising: The method of claim 9 , wherein the user selection is prompted at the primary device. 10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising scanning the companion device at regular intervals at the primary device, thereby detecting the companion device. In response to receiving the input Te said primary device odor, further comprising the step of connecting to the cellular network the companion device the primary device to disconnect from the cellular network, according to claim 10 the method of. Detecting whether the short-range radio-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and, when detecting that the short-range radio-frequency link is lost, connecting the primary device to the cellular network 13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising: reconnecting to. A companion device connected to a cellular network, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program instructions, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program instructions are the at least one With the processor, in the companion device,
Scanning the primary device within a range of existence of the companion device;
Detecting the primary device within the range of existence of the companion device;
Performing a user selection at the companion device in response to detecting the primary device within the range of the companion device,
The companion device to disconnect from the cellular network or to connect the primary device to the cellular network, or,
The primary device to disconnect from the cellular network or to connect the companion device to the cellular network, or,
Maintaining the connection of the companion device to the cellular network instead of connecting the primary device to the cellular network ,
Performing user selections for
A companion device that is configured to 15. The companion device of claim 14 , wherein the scanning of the primary device is done according to near field radio frequency communication techniques.   16. The companion device of claim 15, wherein the short range radio frequency communication technique is a Bluetooth technique. 15. The companion device of claim 14 , responsive to detecting that the primary device is within the range of the companion device's presence, the companion device being connected to the primary device as a short range accessory. . The companion device detects whether the short-range high-frequency link between the companion device and the primary device is lost, and when the primary device detects that the short-range high-frequency link is lost. 15. The companion device of claim 14 , further comprising: connecting the cellular network to the cellular network.