Abstract:
A communication apparatus includes a communication control unit which communicates data via a communication network; an application control unit which executes an application; and a suspending unit which is configured to make the application control unit to be in a suspended state. The communication control unit is configured to establish a signaling connection via the communication network by a request from the application control unit, and to release the established signaling connection if the application control unit is in the suspended state. An input section may be provided to receive an input by a user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a mobile communication apparatus, and more particularly to a process of releasing a signaling connection. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    When an application performed in a mobile communication apparatus performs a communication via a mobile communication network, the apparatus requests a base station controller to establish a signaling connection via a base station. Then, the application performs the communication via the established signaling connection. Further, for the communication with the base station, the application uses a traffic channel allocated by the establishment of the signaling connection. In addition, the channel is a logical channel, and may be a single physical channel or not. 
         [0005]    In order to hold the established signaling connection and the traffic channel, power is consumed. In this regard, when a communication is not performed for a predetermined time, the mobile communication apparatus releases the signaling connection and the traffic channel. Due to such release, power consumption is reduced and communication resources are efficiently used (for example, refer to pages 4 and 5 (FIG. 2) of JP-T-2005-510967). 
         [0006]    However, according to the method disclosed in JP-T-2005-510967, it is disadvantageous in that the signaling connection must be held for a predetermined time after a communication is not performed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to release a signaling connection when it is determined that a communication is not performed. 
         [0008]    According to the invention, when it is determined that a communication is not performed, a signaling connection can be released. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mobile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication-based processing unit according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an application-based processing unit according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of a release delay time according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a signaling connection release operation performed by a connection releasing section according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Hereinafter, a mobile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. The mobile communication apparatus includes a communication-based processing unit  10  and an application-based processing unit  20 . The communication-based processing unit  10  includes a communication control section  11  and the application-based processing unit  20  includes an application control section  21 . The communication control section  11  is connected to the application control section  21 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the communication-based processing unit  10 . The communication-based processing unit  10  includes a communication control section  11  for controlling the whole of the communication-based processing unit  10  while being connected to the application control section  21 , an antenna  12   a  for transceiving radio waves between the mobile communication apparatus and a base station (not shown) of a mobile communication network, a communication section  12   b , a transceiving section  13 , a connection releasing section  14  and a release delay time storing section  15 . The release delay time storing section  15  stores a release delay time. 
         [0016]    Further, the communication-based processing unit  10  includes a modem processor  10 - 2 . The communication control section  11  and the connection releasing section  14  are formed by a program using the modem processor  10 - 2 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the application-based processing unit  20 . The application-based processing unit  20  includes an application control section  21  for controlling the whole of the application-based processing unit  20  while being connected to the communication control section  11 , a display section  22 , an input section  23 , a speaker  24   a  for generating a reception voice, a microphone  24   b  for inputting a transmission voice, a calling section  24   c , a browser section  25 , a download section  26 , a content storing section  27 , a content reproducing section  28 , and a speaker  28   a  for reproducing voice included in a content. 
         [0018]    Further, the application-based processing unit  20  includes an application processor  20 - 2  and a suspending section  20 - 3 . The application control section  21 , at least a part of the calling section  24   c , the browser section  25 , the download section  26 , and at least a part of the content reproducing section  28  are formed by a program using the application processor  20 - 2 . The suspending section  20 - 3  allows the application-based processing unit  20  to be in a suspended state and resumes the application-based processing unit  20  from the suspended state to a normal operation state. At least a part of the suspending section  20 - 3  may be formed by the program using the application processor  20 - 2 . 
         [0019]    Hereinafter, operations of each element of the mobile communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0020]    The communication control section  11  relays a communication of each element of the communication-based processing unit  10  and a communication of each element of the application-based processing unit  20 . For example, when an incoming call is received, the communication control section  11  sends the incoming call to the application control section  21 . Further, the communication control section  11  controls the transceiving section  13  to transmit an originating call and an incoming call transmitted from the application control section  21 . 
         [0021]    The communication section  12   b  outputs a high frequency signal, which is received in the antenna  12   a , to the transceiving section  13 , and transmits a high frequency signal, which is output from the transceiving section  13 , to the antenna  12   a.    
         [0022]    The transceiving section  13  amplifies, frequency-converts and demodulates the high frequency signal received from the communication section  12   b , and sends a signal resulting from the above process to each element of the apparatus. For example, the transceiving section  13  sends a control signal to the communication control section  11 . Further, the transceiving section  13  modulates, frequency-converts and amplifies a signal transmitted from each element of the apparatus, for example, the control signal transmitted from the communication control section  11 , and sends a high frequency signal resulting from the above process to the communication section  12   b.    
         [0023]    In addition, the transceiving section  13  receives originating requests from each element of the apparatus. When a signaling connection is not established, the transceiving section  13  requests a base station controller (not shown) to establish the signaling connection via a base station. Then, the transceiving section  13  performs a communication via the established signaling connection. Further, for the communication with the base station, the transceiving section  13  uses a traffic channel allocated by the establishment of the signaling connection. 
         [0024]    Moreover, if an incoming call is received from the base station, the transceiving section  13  performs a communication via the specified signaling connection in response to the incoming call. Further, for the communication with the base station, the transceiving section  13  uses a traffic channel allocated therethrough. When such a communication is performed by a mobile communication network, that is, receiving data to browser section  25  and the download section  26 , and when the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, after the application-based processing unit  20  is resumed from the suspending section  20 - 3 , a communication is performed. 
         [0025]    Herein, the transceiving section  13  stores the signaling connection and the traffic channel in connection with each element of the apparatus related to the signaling connection and the traffic channel. 
         [0026]    The transceiving section  13  sends a digital voice signal, which is received via a communication traffic channel allocated as described above, to the calling section  24   c , sends an Internet content signal, which is received via a traffic channel for a packet, to the browser section  25 , and sends a content signal to the download section  26 . Further, the transceiving section  13  transmits a digital voice signal, which is output from the calling section  24   c , via the communication traffic channel, and transmits a Web access signal, which is output from the browser section  25 , and a download control signal, which is output from the download section  26 , via the traffic channel for a packet. As described above, the communication includes a call communication through the calling section  24   c  and a packet communication through the browser section  25  and the download section  26 . 
         [0027]    When the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, the connection releasing section  14  releases the signaling connection related to the browser section  25  and the download section  26  included in the application-based processing unit  20 . For example, such release is performed by requesting the transceiving section  13  to transmit a SCRI (Signaling Connection Release Indication) message, which is defined in 3GPP TS25. 331 CR3483, to the base station controller. 
         [0028]    Further, as the signaling connection is released, a traffic channel corresponding to the connection is released. However, the release of the channel is not always limited to release of a physical channel. When releasing the traffic channel, the connection releasing section  14  refers to a release delay time stored in the release delay time storing section  15 . 
         [0029]    The application control section  21  relays a communication of each element of the application-based processing unit  20  and a communication of each element of the communication-based processing unit  10 . For example, when an incoming call is received from the communication control section  11 , the application control section  21  informs of the reception of the incoming call by allowing sound, which is generated by reproduction of a predetermined sound content in the content reproducing section  28 , to be output from the speaker  28   a  and allowing a predetermined call termination notification image to be displayed on the display section  22 . Further, when a call termination operation or a call originating operation is performed through a predetermined manipulation of the input section  23 , the application control section  21  sends an incoming call or an originating call to the communication control section  11 . 
         [0030]    The display section  22  includes an LCD attached to a backlight, which is used for a display demanding a manipulation by a user, a display of a content manipulation by the user, a display of an operation state of the apparatus, and the like. The display section  22  displays image data including characters including a cursor and numerals with the maximum luminance under the control of the application control section  21 , and the displayed data is switched through an input manipulation from the input section  23  or instruction from the application control section  21  in response to the incoming call. 
         [0031]    Further, when a key manipulation of the input section is not performed for a predetermined time or when a predetermined key of the input section  23  is operated, the display screen of the display section  22  is transited to a power consumption saving mode by the application control section  21 . That is, the display section  22  is turned off. Further, the transition to the power saving mode is not performed when the display content of the display section  22  is changed regardless of the key manipulation of the input section  23 . For example, when the content reproducing section  28  reproduces a moving image content on the display section  22 , such transition is not performed. Further, when the display content of the display section  22  is changed regardless of the key manipulation of the input section  23 , a normal display mode is performed. For example, when the predetermined call termination notification image is displayed by the application control section  21 , the normal display mode is performed. And In the case in which the apparatus is in the power saving mode, when a predetermined power saving mode release key of the input section  23  is operated and when a predetermined resume signal is received from the communication control section  11 , the application control section  21  resumes the apparatus in the power saving mode. 
         [0032]    The input section  23  includes keys having a plurality of function keys such as numeral keys for designating phone numbers of communication partners and inputting Hiragana characters, alphabetic characters and symbolic characters through a toggle-type input method, cursor shift keys or scroll keys. If the key of the input section  23  is pressed down, an identifier of the key is notified to the application control section  21 , so that the identifier is displayed as a character on the display section  22  or is controlled by the application control section  21 . 
         [0033]    The calling section  24   c  converts the digital voice signal output from the transceiving section  13  into an analog voice signal, amplifies the analog voice signal, and sends the amplified analog voice signal to the speaker  24   a . Further, the calling section  24   c  amplifies an analog voice signal, which is output from the microphone  24   b , converts the analog voice signal into a digital voice signal, and transmits the digital voice signal to the transceiving section  13 . 
         [0034]    The browser section  25  accesses a Web server (not shown) identified by a Webpage address designated by a predetermined key manipulation of the input section  23 , allows still images, moving images and characters of an Internet content signal, which are stored in the Web server, to be displayed on the display section  22 , and allows sound to be generated from the speaker  24   a  or  28   a . Consecutively, the browser section  25  displays or generates an Internet content signal transmitted according to a predetermined key manipulation of the input section  23 . 
         [0035]    The operation of the browser section  25  is ended by a key manipulation representing the ending of the input section  23 . Further, the browser section  25  releases a signaling connection by the key manipulation of the input section  23 , which represents signaling connection release. Herein, the key manipulation representing the ending and the key manipulation representing the signaling connection release may be a single manipulation or individual manipulations. 
         [0036]    The download section  26  accesses a download server (not shown) designated by a predetermined key manipulation of the input section  23 , receives a content stored in the download server, and stores the content in the content storing section  27 . The content includes still images, moving images, characters, and a part or the whole of sound. The operation of the download section  26  is ended by the key manipulation representing the ending of the input section  23 . Further, the download section  26  releases a signaling connection by the key manipulation of the input section  23 , which represents the signaling connection release. Herein, the key manipulation representing the ending and the key manipulation representing the signaling connection release may be a single manipulation or individual manipulations. 
         [0037]    The content reproducing section  28  reproduces the content stored in the content storing section  27 . That is, the content reproducing section  28  allows the still images, the moving images and the characters, which are included in the content, to be displayed on the display section  22 , and allows sound to be generated from the speaker  28   a.    
         [0038]    When a predetermined suspend key of the input section  23  is operated or it is determined that the apparatus is left unused for a predetermined time, the suspending section  20 - 3  allows the application-based processing unit  20  to be in the suspended state. When the predetermined suspend key is operated, the suspending section  20 - 3  immediately allows the application-based processing unit  20  to be in the suspended state regardless of the operation of each element or the operation state thereof. However, during a predetermined operation of the application-based processing unit  20 , for example, during an operation of the calling section  24   c , the suspending section  20 - 3  does not allow the application-based processing unit  20  to be in the suspended state. Thereafter, when the operation of the calling section  24   c  is ended, the suspending section  20 - 3  may allow the application-based processing unit  20  to be in the suspended state or not. 
         [0039]    When the key manipulation of the input section  23  is not performed over a predetermined non-manipulation time threshold value, the suspending section  20 - 3  determines that the apparatus is left unused. Further, during an operation of a processing section continuing to operate without the key manipulation of the input section  23 , the suspending section  20 - 3  determines that the apparatus is not left unused regardless of the key manipulation thereof. One example of such a processing section is the download section  26  continuing to receive content without the key manipulation thereof. 
         [0040]    In addition, when the operation of such a processing section is ended regardless of normal ending or abnormal ending, it does not disturb the determination that the apparatus is left unused. For example, when the download section  26  does not receive the content for a predetermined time and the operation of the download section  26  is abnormally ended by timeout, it does not disturb the determination that the apparatus is left unused. Further, when the operation is in a stop state or an idle state, it does not disturb the determination that the apparatus is left unused. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the suspended state represents that power supply to at least the application processor  20 - 2  is interrupted, and information stored in a primary storing section (not shown), which is accessed by the application processor  20 - 2 , is held. The suspended state is not limited to the above configuration and various types of modification can be made. The information may be held by continuously supplying power to the volatile primary storing section, or storing the information in a non-volatile secondary storing section (not shown). The information may be held, so that all states of a program and the like, which uses the application processor  20 - 2 , are held as it is, and a processing section, which is being operated before entering the suspended state, is continuously stored as a continuous operation state. 
         [0042]    In the case in which the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, when a predetermined suspend release key of the input section  23  is operated and when a predetermined resume signal is received from the communication control section  11 , the suspending section  20 - 3  resumes the application-based processing unit  20  in the suspended state. Herein, the resumption represents that power is supplied again to a part in the suspended state, to which power has not been supplied, and the part is in a normal operation state. 
         [0043]    Even if the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, since the information stored in the primary storing section is held, the application-based processing unit  20  returns to a state up to just before the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, and then operates through the resumption. Thus, the application-based processing unit  20  is allowed to be in the suspended state, so that power consumption can be significantly reduced and a user does not feel uncomfortable with respect to the operation of the apparatus. 
         [0044]    Next, the release delay time stored in the release delay time storing section  15  will be described with reference to one example shown in  FIG. 4 . The release delay time denotes information related to an application  15   a  and a delay time  15   b . The application  15   a  is an application section in the application-based processing unit  20  and serves as a “browser section” and a “download section”. The delay time  15   b  denotes a time until a signaling connection is released after the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state during the operation of the application  15   a , in other words, when the signaling connection related to a communication of the application  15   a  has been established. The delay time  15   b  is zero or a positive number. 
         [0045]    Preferably, t1, which is the delay time  15   b  related to the application  15   a  serving as the “browser section”, is a small number, for example, zero. This is because, when the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, a user of the apparatus does not perform the key manipulation of the input section  23  with respect to the browser section  25 , and thus an access communication to the Web server is not performed. In this regard, although a communication of an Internet content signal from the Web server has been performed, there is a high possibility that the communication was not intended by a user of the apparatus, and no obstruction is caused by release of a signaling connection in a short time. 
         [0046]    Meanwhile, preferably, t2, which is the delay time  15   b  related to the application  15   a  serving as the “download section”, is a number larger than t1. This is because, when the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, it is understood that a user of the apparatus intends to allow the download section  26  to continuously perform a download operation. In this regard, preferably, t2 is set as a timeout time at which it is determined that abnormality has occurred in the download of the download section  26 , that is, a time at which the operation of the download section  26  is ended when a content signal is not received over the timeout time. 
         [0047]    In the case in which t2 is a small number, as a result of the reception of the content signal after the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, release and establishment of a signaling connection related to the download section  26  may be frequently repeated and power consumption of the mobile communication apparatus may be increased. In addition, resources of an apparatus constituting a mobile communication network may be inefficiently used. 
         [0048]    Further, for example, when traffic congestion occurs in a mobile communication network, re-establishment of a signaling connection is delayed, and the operation of the download section  26  is ended by timeout, that is, non-reception of the content signal for a predetermined time, so that download may not be completed. 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, if the appropriate delay time  15   b  is stored, the suspending section  20 - 3  determines that the apparatus is left unused when the key manipulation of the input section  23  is not performed over a short non-manipulation time threshold value, and allows the application-based processing unit  20  to be in the suspended state. In other words, even if the application-based processing unit  20  is frequently in the suspended state, establishment and release of a signaling connection are performed without interruption. 
         [0050]    Next, a signaling connection release operation performed by the connection releasing section  14  in the mobile communication apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . The connection releasing section  14  starts to operate when the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state (Step S 14   a ). The communication control section  11  detects whether the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state by communicating with the application control section  21  at a predetermined time interval to check the state of the application-based processing unit  20 . When the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state, there is no reply from the application control section  21 . 
         [0051]    Next, the connection releasing section  14  obtains an application section being operated (Step S 14   b ). The application section is obtained as an application section related to an established signaling connection. Then, the connection releasing section  14  obtains the delay time  15   b , which is related to the application  15   a  serving as the obtained application section, with reference to the release delay time (Step S 14   c ). 
         [0052]    Thereafter, the connection releasing section  14  waits for the generation of an event and separately performs an operation according to the generated event (Step S 14   d ). When the event has been generated after the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state and a time longer than the obtained delay time  15   b  lapses, the connection releasing section  14  releases the established signaling connection (Step S 14   e ), thereby completing the signaling connection release operation (Step S 14   f ). 
         [0053]    Meanwhile, when the event has been generated by the resumption of the application-based processing unit  20  or a communication via the signaling connection, the connection releasing section  14  completes the signaling connection release operation (Step S 14   f ). 
         [0054]    In the above description, it is assumed that the application section obtained in step S 14   b  is one. However, the invention is not limited thereto. When a plurality of application sections are obtained, the connection releasing section  14  selects the longest one of the delay time  15   b  related to the application  15   a  corresponding to the respective application sections in step S 14   c.    
         [0055]    In the above description, the communication control section  11  detects whether the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state by communicating with the application control section  21  at the predetermined time interval. However, the invention is not limited thereto. When the application-based processing unit  20  is allowed to be in the suspended state and when the application-based processing unit  20  is resumed, the suspending section  20 - 3  may notify the communication control section  11  of the respective facts. Further, when notifying the fact that the application-based processing unit  20  is allowed to be in the suspended state, the suspending section  20 - 3  may notify an application section being operated at that time. According to the above operation, the connection releasing section  14  can obtain the application section of step S 14   b  through the above notification. 
         [0056]    In the above description, the connection releasing section  14  determines whether to release a signaling connection with reference to the release delay time stored in the release delay time storing section  15 . 
         [0057]    However, the invention is not limited thereto. When the delay time  15   b  related to an application section being operated is not stored, it may be possible to refer to an assumed delay time. 
         [0058]    In the above description, the connection releasing section  14  employs all signaling connections related to an application section being operated as objects to be released, and employs all traffic channels corresponding to the connections as objects to be released. 
         [0059]    However, the invention is not limited thereto. 
         [0060]    For example, when a consumed power value, which is required for holding a signaling connection or a traffic channel, is calculated and the power value is equal to or larger than a predetermined power threshold value, the connection releasing section  14  may release the signaling connection or the traffic channel. According to the above process, for example, when the traffic channel is not an individual physical channel and is allocated to a common physical channel, the connection releasing section  14  does not release the channel, so that a load required for processing the apparatus constituting a mobile communication network can be prevented from being increased. 
         [0061]    In the above description, the connection releasing section  14  starts to operate when the application-based processing unit  20  is in the suspended state. 
         [0062]    However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the key manipulation of the input section  23  is not performed for a predetermined time and the display screen of the display section  22  is transited to the power consumption saving mode, that is, when the display section  22  is turned off, the connection releasing section  14  may start to operate. 
         [0063]    An operation according to the transition to the power saving mode can be applied to the case in which the apparatus is not divided into the communication-based processing unit  10  and the application-based processing unit  20 , that is, when the apparatus is operated by a single CPU. The invention is not limited to the above configuration and various types of modification can be made.