Voice processing for a mobile communication system

Abstract: A voice processing device 103 is connected to both an exchange controlling station 101 and a wireless controlling station 102 by a first data line 205 and a second data line 207, which are independent from each other. A CPU 111 of the exchange controlling station 101, a CPU 121 of the wireless controlling station 102 and a CPU 131 of the voice processing device 103 are connected by a bus-type control line 208. By controlling the voice processing device 103 by both the exchange controlling station 101 and the wireless controlling station 102, it is possible to prevent overlapping investment in facilities.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to a mobile transmission system having a voice processing device. Description of the related art In a conventional mobile transmission system, since data volume is tremendously increased if usual voice signals used in public telephone lines are used, as they are, in a wireless range, a voice processing device is employed to convert voice signals to coded voice signals in order to compress the data volume, wherein wireless transmission is carried out. FIG.1 is a block diagram of a conventional mobile transmission system. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional mobile transmission system mainly consists of an exchange controlling station 11, wireless controlling stations 12, voice processing devices 13, and base stations 14. The exchange controlling station 11 mutually connects a plurality of wireless controlling stations 12 to the main network 15 of public telephone lines. Furthermore, the wireless controlling station 12 controls wireless channels of the base stations 14. In the conventional mobile transmission system, the voice processing devices 13 are connected to the wireless controlling stations 12, wherein voice signals are converted by controlling the wireless controlling stations 12. Document WO 97/29566 relates to a method and transmission equipment for a connection between telecommunication network elements, such as exchanges or base station controllers. On the network side, various functions relating to speech encoding are integrated in a transcoder unit TRAU (Transcoder/Rate Adaptor Unit). Herein, in line with the recent popularization of mobile transmission and progress of mobile transmission technologies, requests for a new control occur in the mobile transmission system. As one of the requests, a voice processing device is connected to the exchange controlling station, wherein it is considered that, by causing the exchange controlling station to control the voice processing devices, voice processing devices which are, respectively, connected to a plurality of wireless controlling stations are collected at one point, in order to increase efficiency of voice processing. However, in the existing mobile transmission system, if voice processing devices also are connected to the exchange controlling station, the voice processing devices at the wireless controlling station side will be made useless. Furthermore, once the voice processing devices at the wireless controlling station side are disused, they will be no longer used in a case where the voice processing devices are desired to be utilized at the wireless controlling station side due to changes in the transmission system in the future. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mobile transmission system which is able to prevent investment of facilities from overlapping and to flexibly match changes thereof in the future. The above object can be achieved by connecting voice processing devices to both an exchange controlling station and wireless controlling station by independent data lines, and by controlling the voice processing devices from either the exchange controlling station or the wireless controlling stations by bus-type control line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein one example is illustrated by way of example, in which; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional mobile transmission system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile transmission system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a transmission line in a case where voice processing devices are controlled by an exchange controlling station according to the above preferred embodiment, FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing actions of a mobile transmission system in a case where voice processing devices are controlled by an exchange controlling station according to the above preferred embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a transmission line in a case where voice processing devices are controlled by a wireless controlling station according to the above preferred embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing actions of a mobile transmission system in a case where voice processing devices are controlled by a wireless controlling station according to the above preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a description is given of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile transmission system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG 2, a mobile transmission system according to the invention is mainly composed of an exchange controlling station 101, a wireless controlling station 102, a voice processing device 103, and a base station 104. The exchange controlling station 101 is connected to the main network 105 of public telephone lines via a first between-station line 201 and is connected to a plurality of wireless controlling stations 102 via a second between-station line 202. The wireless controlling station 102 is connected to a plurality of base stations 104 via a third between-station line 203 and controls wireless channels in the base station 104. Furthermore, for convenience of description, only one each of the wireless controlling station 102 and base 104 are illustrated. The exchange controlling station 101 is provided with a CPU 111 which controls the entirety of the station, and has a switch 112 (also called an "exchanger") at the connection portion of the first between-station line 201, and another switch 113 at the connection portion with the second between-station line 202. And, an in-station line 204 connects between the switch 112 and switch 113. A switch 114 intervenes in the in-station line 204. The voice processing device 103 is connected to the switch 114 via a first data line 205. These switches 112, 113 and 114 change over lines on the basis of control of the CPU 111. Furthermore, the switches 112, 113 and 114 are theoretical switches. Although they are explained separately for convenience of description, in actuality, they are physically composed as a single switch portion. The wireless controlling station 102 is provided with a CPU 121 which controls the entirety of the station, and has a switch 122 at the connection portion with the second between-station line 202 and a switch 123 at the connection portion with the third between-station line 203. And, an in-station line 206 connects the switch 122 and switch 123. A switch 124 intervenes in the in-station line 206. The voice processing device 103 is connected to the switch 124 via a second data line 207. These switches 122, 123 and 124 change over lines on the basis of control of the CPU 121. Furthermore, the switches 122, 123 and 124 are theoretical switches. Although they are separately explained for convenience of description, in actuality, they are physically composed as a single switch portion. The voice processing device 103 converts coded voice signals used in a wireless range to usual voice signals used in the main network 105, and reversely converts usual voice signals to the coded voice signals. The voice processing device 103 is provided with a CPU 131 which controls the entirety of the system, and a plurality of CODEC circuits 132 which converts voice signals. Furthermore, only one CODEC circuit 132 is illustrated for convenience of description. The wireless controlling station 102 is provided with a CPU 121 which controls the entirety of stations, and has a switch 122 at the connection portion with the second between-station line 202, and another switch 123 at the connection portion with the third between-station line 203. The voice processing device 103 is provided with a switch 133 which connects the CODEC circuit 132 and the first data line 205, and a switch 134 which connects the CODEC circuits 132 and the second data line 210. These switches 133 and 134 change over lines on the basis of control of the CPU 131. Furthermore, the switches 133 and 134 are theoretical switches. Although they are explained for convenience of description, in actuality, they are physically composed of a single switch portion. A control line 208 is a bus to which the CPU 111 of the exchange controlling station 101, the CPU 121 of the wireless controlling station 102, and the CPU 131 of the voice processing device 103 are connected. Hereinafter, a description is given of actions of a mobile transmission system according to the abovementioned preferred embodiment with reference to FIG.3 though FIG.6. First, a description is given of a case where voice process is carried out by control of the exchange controlling station, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a transmission line where a voice controlling device is controlled by the exchange controlling station. FIG.4 is a sequence view showing actions of a mobile transmission system where the voice processing device is controlled by the exchange controlling station. First, the exchange controlling station 101 receives a connection instruction from the main network 105 via the first between-station line 201. Next, in the exchange controlling station 101, the CPU 111 controls the switches 112 and 114 to connect the first between-station line 201 and first data line 205. At the same time, the CPU 111 transmits a CODEC connection instruction to the voice processing device 103 via a control line 208. The CPU 131 of the voice processing device 103 controls the switch 133 and connects the first data line 205 to the CODEC line 132, thereby causing the CODEC line 132 to commence a voice process. Next, the voice processing device 103 transmits a response showing the CODEC connection to the exchange controlling station 101 via the control line 208. The CPU 111 of the exchange controlling station 101 controls the switches 113 and 114 upon receiving a CODEC connection response to connect the first data line 205 and the second between-station line 202. At the same time, the CPU 111 thereof transmits a connection instruction to the wireless controlling station 102. The CPU 121 of the wireless controlling station 102 controls the switches 122 and 123 upon receiving a connection instruction, thereby causing the second station line 202 and third station line 203 to be connected, wherein the CPU 121 thereof transmits a connection instruction to the base station 104. As a result of the abovementioned sequence, a bi-directional transmission line is established in the order of the main network 105, first between-station line 201, exchange controlling station 101, first data line 205, voice processing device 103, first data line 205, exchange controlling station 101, second between-station line 202, wireless controlling station 102, third between-station line 203, and base station 104. Next, a description is given of a case where a voice process is carried out by control of the wireless controlling station, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a transmission line in a case where the voice processing device is controlled by a wireless controlling station. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing actions of a mobile transmission system in a case where the voice processing device is controlled by a wireless controlling station. First, the exchange controlling station 101 receives a connection instruction from the main network 105 via the first between-station line 201. Next, the CPU 111 of the exchange controlling station 101 controls the switches 112 and 113 to connect the first between-station line 201 and the second between-station line 202. At the same time, the CPU 111 thereof transmits a connection instruction to the wireless controlling station 102. The CPU 121 of the wireless controlling station 102 controls the switches 122 and 124 to connect the second between-station line 202 and the second data line 207. At the same time, the CPU 121 thereof transmits a CODEC connection instruction to the voice processing device 103 via the control line 208. The CPU 131 of the voice controlling device 103 controls the switch 134 and connects the second data line 207 to the CODEC line 132, whereby the CODEC line 132 is caused to commence a voice process. Next, the voice processing device 103 transmits a response of CODEC connection to the wireless controlling station 102 via the control line 208. The CPU 121 of the wireless controlling station 102 controls the switches 123 and 125 upon receiving a CODEC connection response, whereby the second data line 207 and third between-station line 203 are caused to be connected to each other. At the same time, the CPU 121 transmits a connection instruction to the base station 104. As a result of the abovementioned action sequence, a bi-directional transmission line is established in the order of the main network 105, first between-station line 201, exchange controlling station 101, second between-station line 202, wireless controlling station 102, second data line 207, voice processing unit 103, second data line 207, wireless controlling station 102, third station line 203 and base station 104. In a case where a connection instruction is given from the base station 104, the abovementioned action sequence is completely reversed. As described above, according to the preferred embodiments of the invention, since an exchange controlling station and a wireless controlling station hold a voice processing device in common, the installation cost can be decreased in comparison with a case where voice processing devices are separately provided. Furthermore, since the exchange controlling station and wireless controlling station are connected to each other by a bus-type control line, the voice processing device can be independently controlled by both the exchange controlling station and the wireless controlling station. Furthermore, since the voice processing device is, respectively, connected to the exchange controlling station and the wireless controlling station by independent data lines, no influence is given to any line exchange of the wireless controlling station when exchanging lines from the exchange controlling station to the voice processing device. Furthermore, no influence is given to any line exchange of the exchange controlling station when exchanging lines from the wireless controlling station to the voice processing device. As described above, according to a mobile transmission system of the invention, it is possible to prevent overlapping investment in facilities and flexibly match future design changes. The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No.HEI10-119559 filed on April 28, 1998.

Claims: A mobile transmission system comprising: a wireless controlling apparatus (102) for controlling wireless channels of base stations; an exchange controlling apparatus (101) for mutually connecting said wireless controlling apparatus to public telephone networks; and a voice processing device (103), which is connected to both said wireless controlling apparatus and said exchange controlling apparatus, for converting voice signals by controls independently carried out by both said wireless controlling apparatus and said exchange controlling apparatus. A mobile transmission system according to Claim 1, wherein said voice processing device (103) is connected to a wireless controlling apparatus and an exchange controlling apparatus by a bus-type control circuit. A mobile transmission system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said voice processing device (103) is connected to either said wireless controlling apparatus or exchange controlling apparatus by independent data lines. A mobile transmission system according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 3, wherein said wireless controlling apparatus (102) comprises: a first changing means (122) for outputting coded voice signals inputted from an exchange controlling apparatus to a base station, and outputting non-coded voice signals to a voice processing device; a second changing means (123) for outputting coded voice signals inputted from a base station to a voice processing device where the voice processing device is controlled in the same base station, and outputting the same to the exchange controlling apparatus where the voice processing device is controlled by the exchange controlling apparatus; and a third changing means (123) for outputting coded voice signals inputted from the voice processing device to a base station and outputting non-coded voice signals to the exchange controlling apparatus. A mobile transmission system according to any of Claim 1 to Claim 3, wherein said exchange controlling apparatus (101) comprises: a fourth changing means (112) for outputting non-coded voice signals inputted from a public telephone network to a voice processing device where the voice processing device is controlled in a base station and outputting the same to a wireless controlling apparatus where the voice processing device is controlled by the wireless controlling apparatus; a fifth changing means (113) for outputting coded voice signals inputted from the wireless controlling apparatus to the voice processing device and outputting the non-coded voice signals to the public telephone network; and a sixth changing means (114) for outputting the coded voice signals inputted from the voice processing device to the wireless controlling apparatus and outputting the non-coded voice signals to the public telephone network.

Inventors: FURUTA TAKEHIRO, FURUTA, TAKEHIRO
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H04Q7
IPC codes: G10L19, H04W88