GB2350022A

GB2350022A - User-controlled reception restriction in a radio communication unit

Info

Publication number: GB2350022A
Application number: GB0006982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shinnichi Nakada
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1999-03-23
Filing date: 2000-03-22
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-22
Also published as: JP2000278747A; GB2350022B; JP3169935B2; GB0006982D0

Abstract

User-controlled restriction of service reception, for example in a protected area such as a plane or a hospital is achieved by allowing the user to set a threshold for a received signal strength below which reception is disabled. Thus the threshold can be set high in a protected area. Additionally, a predetermined threshold operates so that reception is disabled when the communication unit is outside the range of a base station so as to reduce power consumption by the unit. The unit comprises a radio transceiver 1, a programmer 3, and a display 5. the programmer causes the prevailing received signal level to be displayed and stores the user input threshold and the predetermined threshold and sets the transceiver unit 1 into a transmission mode, a reception mode, a waiting mode, or an out-of range mode in accordance with th comparison of the received signal level with the thresholds.

Description

2350022 SERVICE RECEPTION RESTRICTED RADIO COMMUNICATION SET AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTI

The present invention relates to service reception restricted radio communication sets and methods, and more particularly, a radio communication set, which detects and displays the reception level of radio waves from a base station as one of two or more reception level ranges and permits the setting service reception restriction as desired by the user.

Prior art systems permitting service reception by public radio communication, are usually designed such that the service reception ability is continued until reaching of a reception level threshold so as to permit as long service reception as possible.

In addition, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.

10-200469, when the user thinks that it is better to refrain from sending and accepting calls, the user manually sets a power-supply- prohibited locked state of a mobile terminal.

According to Japanese Patent No. 2643614, a particular signal reception level is set as a reference voltage level, and when the reception level is found to be lower than the reference level, the operation of a receiving circuit is prohibited. Specifically, according to the disclosed invention a control circuit for allowing and prohibiting an equalizing process according to the reception level is provided, and when the received signal has a worse data error factor than an expected data error factor, the operation of the pertinent receiving circuit is prohibited. Thus no extra circuit operation is necessary, and it is possible to reduce power 1 consumption.

However, depending on place, service reception is prohibited in front of the general public, and whenever the user comes to such circumstance, such cumbersome operations as turning off the power supply of the radio communication unit and prohibiting the generation of a call tone are required.

In addition, reaching the neighborhood of a threshold reception level results in deterioration of speech quality and unclear speech, which also leads to the payment of wasteful fee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service reception restrictable radio communication set comprising a radio unit for transmitting and receiving radio signals, a program unit for controlling the radio unit, a display unit for displaying the transmitting/receiving state, and a keyboard unit, wherein:

a threshold of the reception level of the radio signals for executing service reception restriction is inputted by the keyboard unit and stored in the program unit; and when the reception level is below the threshold, the program unit 2 executes the service reception restriction.

Preferably the threshold of the reception level of the radio signals for executing service reception restriction is higher than threshold of a check as to whether the radio unit is in the area, in which the communication service is available. The display unit displays the reception level as one of two or more reception level ranges. The display unit displays the inputted threshold. When the reception level is below the threshold in a call-sending operation, either continuation or discontinuation of the call-sending operation is inputted from the keyboard unit. When the reception level is below the threshold in a callaccepting operation, call -non-acceptance is sent to a radio base station. When the reception level exceeds the threshold in the out-of-range operation, a waiting operation is set. A command for inputting the threshold is inputted f rom the keyboard unit, and the program unit causes display of the reception level on the display unit according to the inputted command from the keyboard unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service reception restrictable radio communication set comprising: a reception threshold level setting means for selecting and setting a reception threshold level, which permits the radio communication, from a plurality of reception threshol levels; a reception level detecting means for detecting a reception level; a comparing means for comparing the reception level with the reception threshold level; and a display means for displaying the reception threshold level which has been set.

3 According to other aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service reception restrictable radio communication method comprising steps of: reception threshold level setting step for selecting and setting a reception threshold level, which permits the radio communication, from a plurality of reception threshol levels; reception level detecting step for detecting a reception level; comparing step for comparing the reception level with the reception threshold level; and display step for displaying the reception threshold level which has been set, wherein When the reception level is lower than the reception threshold level, any call reception tone is generated, a call-not-accepted state is sent back to a base station, and the base station responds to this sending-back by transfer or absence reception of call.

Preferably when a call-sending operation is executed, a service reception restricted state is informed to a user for a constant period of time, when the user desires the communication, in response to a specified operation, a call-sending operation is brought about, and otherwise, the waiting state is restored.

When the reception level in the waiting state is lower than the reception threshold level, the state of an out-of-range operation in which it is impossible to execute the communication is displayed, and a check as to whether the communication is possible in the prevailing area is executed at an interval longer than the usual waiting time.

In the present invention, when receiving communication service, the user preliminarily selects a reception level range, and when the reception level is below this range, the service 4 reception by the radio communication unit is prohibited.

other objects and features will be clarified from the following description with reference to attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a service reception restrictable radio communication set embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an example of the reception level display; Figs. 3(a) to 3(j) show an example of displays on the display unit 5 corresponding to a call-sending operation, a call- accepting operation and a waiting state; and Fig. 4 is a flow chart for describing the operation of the service reception restrictable radio communication set embodying the present invention.

MBODIMENTS OF THP TNVENTT Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a service reception restrictable radio communication set embodying the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the service reception restrictable radio communication set embodying the present invention comprises an input unit 4 such as a keyboard, a program unit 3 having such functions as storing data under program control, a display unit 5 for displaying data and generating sound, a radio unit I for executing radio communication, a voice unit 2 for processing voice signal, a microphone 7 and a loudspeaker 8 f or transmitting and receiving voice, and antenna 6 for transmitting and receiving radio waves of communication.

When using the service reception resrictable radio communication set according to the present invention for transmission, the user inputs the telephone number of the other party for transmission and a transmission command by using the input unit 4 such as the keyboard thereof. The inputted data is fed to the program unit 3 and thence to the display Unit 5 for display and also to the radio unit 1 for transmission via the antenna 6 to a base station. After a communication channel has been established, user's voice is fed through the microphone 7 and the voice unit 2 to the radio unit 1 for modulation and then via the antenna 6 to the base station.

When using the service reception restrictable radio communication set according to the present invention for reception, the radio unit 1 receives radio waves from the base station through the antenna 6 and demodulates the received signal. Then, the received voice signal is fed through the voice unit 2 to the loudspeaker 8, while the received image data signal is fed through the program unit 3 to the display unit 5 for display.

The service reception restrictable radio communication set as described according to the present invention has a reception level detecting function, a reception level range judging function, a function of displaying a judged reception level in terms of a bar graph or the like and a function of allowing the user to select a reception level permitting communication, as well as the transmitting and receiving functions and waiting function.

Specifically, when the radio communication set is in a 6 waiting state with the power supply,on,' and ready for call transmission and reception, the user preliminarily sets a reception level range permitting service recepetion and stores the selected range in the radio communication set.

When receiving a call, the radio communication set executes the comparison of the reception level with the reception level range set by the user. When the reception level is lower than the reception level range, the radio communication set does not generate any call reception tone, and sends back a call-not-accepted state to the base station. The base station responds to this sending-back by transfer or absence reception of call.

When the user executes a call-sending operation, a service reception restricted state is informed to the user for a constant period of time. When the user desires communication and operates a pertinent key during this time, a call-sending operation is brought about. Otherwise, the waiting state is restored.

When the reception level in the waiting state is lower than the reception level range set by the user, the state of an out-of-range operation sets in which communication is impossible is displayed, while a check as to whether communication is possible in the prevailing area is executed at an interval longer than the usual waiting time.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the reception level display.

The radio unit 1 f eeds out the reception level data of radio waves received from the base station to the program unit 3, and the program unit 3 determines the range, to which the 7 reception level of the received waves belongs, and causes display of the level data on the display unit 5. In Fig. 2, the reception levels are classified into four ranges, and displayed as bar graphs. As shown in Fig. 2, four reception level ranges 1,011 to 11411 are provided in the order of lower reception levels. The reception level range 11011 covers reception levels between zero level and a first predetermined level, the reception level range 11 1 11 covers levels between the first predetermined level and a second predetermined level, andsoforth. The reception level range 11011 is a threshold level of a check which is done, without provision of service reception restriction function, as to whether or not the radio communication set is in the area in which the communication service is available. with reference to the display, the user sets a threshold reception level range for the service reception restriction. The threshold is set by inputting a predetermined command, for instance "FM" from the keyboard unit and then inputting a separate command. When releasing the setting, the command "FXX" and then a different command are inputted.

Figs. 3(a) to 3(j) show an example of displays on the display unit 5 corresponding to a call-sending operation, a call-accepting operation and awaiting state. Fig. 3 (a) shows an example of display of a waiting state (without service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3 (b) shows an example of display of a service reception restriction setting state (outset state). Fig. 3 (c) shows an example of display of a call-sending operation state (without service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3(d) shows an example of display 8 of the presence of a termination call (without service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3(e) shows an example of display of an out-of- range operation (without service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3(f) shows an example of display of the waiting state (with service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3 (g) shows an example of display of a state after service reception restriction setting. Fig. 3 (h) shows an example of display of the callsending operation state (with service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3(i) shows an example of display of the presence of a termination call (without service reception restriction setting). Fig. 3 (j) is an example of display of the out-of-range operation (with service reception restriction setting).

Fig. 4 is a flow chart for describing the operation of the service reception restrictable radio communication set according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, when the user depresses a power supply key in the input unit 4 of the radio communication set, the program unit 3 executes initialization (step 202), and then it checks the state of the radio communication set for execution of a branch routine corresponding to the result of the check (step 203).

First, a branch routine for the operation of "SETTING SERVICE RECEPTION RESTRICTION WITH KEY INPUT" shown in the f low chart will be described. When the user inputs a command, for instance "FXX", for setting or releasing the service reception restriction, the program unit 3 detects the reception level, and causes display of the detected reception level on the display unit 5 (step 216). With reference to the displayed 9 reception level, the user selects and designates a reception level range as a service reception restriction threshold by inputting another predetermined command (step 215). The threshold that is set at this time is 11 3 '1 as shown in Fig. 3 (b).

The user can change this threshold to "2" as shown in Fig. 3(g).

The threshold that has been set in this way, is displayed on the display unit 5 by using a marker or the like, and is also stored in a reception level range memory in the program unit 3 (step 229). The branch routine then goes back to the state check and branch routine setting step 203. When the service reception restriction is not desired, a further predetermined command is inputted to release the previous reception level range setting. Now only the reception level range 11 0 11 is held in the reception level range memory in the program unit 3, so that the normal transmitting/ receiving state can be restored (step 230).

Now, a branch routine concerning "NORMAL WAITING TIME" shown in the flow chart will be described. The normal waiting time means a state, in which the user is waiting without setting the "service reception restriction". In this branch routine, the prevailing reception level is first checked (step 211). when the checked reception level is in the reception level range 11011 or above, an operation during the normal waiting time is executed, and date, weekday and time are displayed as shown in Fig. 3 (a) (step 221). The branch routine then goes back to the state check and branch routine setting step 203. When it is found in the step 211 that the checked reception level is below the reception level range 1, 011, a out-of -range operation step 222 is executed to display the "OUT-OF-RANGE" operation as shown in Fig. 3(e). As shown, the "OUT-OF-RANGE11 mark is displayed in addition to the date, weekday and time. After displaying the out-of -range operation, the branch routine goes 5 back to the state check and branch routine setting step 203.

Now, a branch routine of the operation of "CALL-SENDING WITH KEY INPUT" shown in the flowchart will be described. Again in this branch routine, the prevailing reception level is f irst checked (step 212). When the checked reception level is in the reception level range having been set or above, the call-sending operation is displayed. What are displayed at this time are, as shown in Fig. 3 (h), a message "ABC1', the telephone number 11 0451237456 11 of the opposite party and the reception level range 1,211, which has been set and prevails as the threshold. When the checked reception level is below the range having been set, a check is executed as to whether the call-sending operation is to be continued (step 224). This check is executed by the user on such basis as the emergency of transmission. When the continuation of the call-sending operation is selected in the check step, the program unit 3 releases the setting of the reception level subject to the service reception restriction, and the normal call- sending operation is allowed (step 223). When the discontinuation of the call-sending operation is selected, the "NORMAL WAITING TIME" is displayed, and the branch routine goes back to the state check and branch routine setting step 203. For the continuation or discontinuation, the user key inputs a predetermined command.

Now, a branch routine of the operation of "CALL- ACCEPTANCE" shown in the flow chart will be descried. In this branch routine, again the prevailing reception level is first checked (step 213). When the checked reception level is in the reception level range having been set or above, the callacceptance operation is displayed. What are displayed at this time are, as shown in Fig. 3(i), mark "TERMINATION CALW indicating that a termination call prevails, the telephone number 1,0398765432" of the other party and the reception level range 1,211 as a service reception restriction threshold. When the service reception restriction has not been set, the threshold is "0". In this case, the threshold '1011 may not be displayed, as shown in Fig. 3(d). When the checked reception level is below the reception level rage having been set, while displaying the presence of a termination call, call-non- acceptance is sent out to the base station (step 226).

Now, a branch routine of the "OUT-OF-RANGE OPERATION" shown in the flow chart will be described. In this branch routine, again the prevailing reception level is first checked (step 214). When the checked reception level is in the reception level range having been set or above, the display is switched over to the normal waiting time display (step 227), and the branch routine goes back to the check state and branch routine setting step 203. When the checked level is below the reception level range having been set, the out-of-range operation display is continued, and the branch routine goes back to the state check and branch routine setting step 203. What are displayed as the out-of-range operation display are, as shown in Fig. 3 (j), the date, weekday, time, reception level 12 range 11211, and mark "OUT-OF-RANGE" indicating that the radio communication set is in an area other than the area, in which the radio communication service is available.

While an embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is generally applicable to systems providing communication service via base stations, that is, such radio system sets as so-called portable telephone sets and usual one-to-one communication business radio sets.

As has been described in the foregoing, a f irst advantage of the present system is that it provides a function permitting the setting of a desired reception level by the user, so that no terminal call may be accepted when it is not desired to accept any call, thus avoiding user I s cumbersome operations - A second advantage of the present system is that, with the provision of permitting the setting of a desired reception level by the user, it is possible to avoid speech quality deterioration and unclear speech in the neighborhood of the threshold reception level, thus permitting stable communication.

A third advantage of the present system is that, - with the provision of permitting the setting of a desired reception level by the user, the radio communication set executes, in its waiting state, the "out-of-range operation" when the reception level is a reception level range having been set, and thus it executes the "out-of -range operation" at a higher frequency with the setting of a higher reception level by the user. It is thus possible to suppress or reduce the battery consumption in the radio communication set.

13 Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting.

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Claims

1. A service reception restrictable radio communication set comprising a radio unit for transmitting and receiving radio signals, a program unit for controlling the radio unit, a display unit for displaying the transmitting/receiving state, and a keyboard unit, wherein:

a threshold of the reception level of the radio signals for executing service reception restriction is inputted by the keyboard unit and stored in the program unit; and when the reception level is below the threshold, the program unit executes the service reception restriction.

2. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein the threshold of the reception level of the radio signals for executing service reception restriction is higher than a threshold of a check as to whether the radio unit is in the area, in which the communication service is available.

3. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the reception level as one of two or more reception level ranges.

4. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the inputted threshold.

5. The service level restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein when the reception level is below the threshold in a call-sending operation, either continuation or discontinuation of the call-sending operation is inputted f rom the keyboard unit.

6. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein when the reception level is below the threshold in a call-accepting operation, call-non-acceptance is sent to a radio base station.

7. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein when the reception level exceeds the threshold in the out-of -range operation, a waiting operation is set.

8. The service reception restrictable radio communication set according to claim 1, wherein a command for inputting the threshold is inputted from the keyboard unit, and the program unit causes display of the reception level on the display unit according to the inputted command from the keyboard unit.

9. A service reception restrictable radio communication set comprising:

16 a reception threshold level setting means for selecting and setting a reception threshold level, which permits the radio communication, from a plurality of reception threshol levels; a reception level detecting means for detecting a reception level; a comparing means for comparing the reception level with the reception threshold level; and a display means for displaying the reception threshold level which has been set.

10. A service reception restrictable radio communication method comprising steps of: reception threshold level setting step for selecting and setting a reception threshold level, which permits the radio communication, from a plurality of reception threshol levels; reception level detecting step for detecting a reception level; comparing step for comparing the reception level with the reception threshold level; and display step for displaying the reception threshold level which has been set, wherein When the reception level is lower than the reception threshold level, any call reception tone is generated, a cal l-not - accepted state is sent back to a base station, and the base station responds to this sending-back by transfer or absence reception of call.

11. The service reception restrictable radio 17 communication method according to claim 10, wherein when a call-sending operation is executed, a service reception restricted state is informed to a user for a constant period of time, when the user desires the communication, in response to a specified operation, a call-sending operation is brought about, and otherwise, the waiting state is restored.

12. The service reception restrictable radio communication method according to claim 10, wherein when the reception level in the waiting state is lower than the reception threshold level, the state of an out-ofrange operation in which it is impossible to execute the communication is displayed, and a check as to whether the communication is possible in the prevailing area is executed at an interval longer thanthe usual waiting time.

13. A service level reception restrictable radio communication set, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

14. A service level reception restrictable radio communication method, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

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