Patent Document

This is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/997,119, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,955 filed on Nov. 28, 2001, entitled Radio Communication Apparatus, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a radio communication apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to an expansion of the functional capabilities of the radio communication apparatus. The expansion provides for the checking of the various functional settings previously made for performing communication to determine if any of the settings have been modified at a later stage before resumption of the communication, and if so, notification is made to facilitate restoration of the functional settings to their original states. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In recent years, most radio communication apparatuses contain a microcomputer circuit therein to allow control of various functions by manipulating switches and dials. 
   Thus, a plurality of push-button switches and dial knobs are provided for an operation panel of a radio communication apparatus. A lot of radio communication apparatuses employ a system of displaying on their liquid display section settings associated with main functions. 
   To take an example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a main unit  1  of an amateur radio transmitter-receiver has a plurality of switches and knobs disposed in a rational manner for ease of operation. Further, several switches are provided in a microphone  2  for enabling quick operation. The specific functions of these switches and knobs are as follows:
     (1) An AF volume knob  11  adjusts a received sound volume.   (2) An SQL (squelch) knob  12  is used for eliminating noise in the absence of a signal.   (3) The SQL knob  12  serves as an RF GAIN knob  13  as well. The RF GAIN knob  13  is used to adjust a gain of a receiving section. According to a selected menu mode, switching is performed between the RF GAIN knob  13  and the SQL knob  12 .   (4) A CLAR (clarifier) switch  14  is employed when a SELECT knob  15  is used to perform a CLAR function of changing a receiving frequency alone without changing a transmitting frequency.   (5) The SELECT knob  15  is used to perform functions of setting a frequency, selecting a memory channel, setting an IF shift, clarification, and selecting a menu mode by switching, according to an operation status.   (6) A multifunction switch  16  is used to perform various functions, and the assigned functions to be performed are switched by a FUNC switch  18 .   (7) A DSP (digital signal processor) switch  17  controls a built-in DSP to perform switching between a DSP NR, a DSP AUTO NOTCH, a DSP BPF mode. The DSP NR is a function of canceling a succession of noise in the frequency band, and the DSP AUTO NOTCH is a function of reducing a beat tone of a received signal. The DSP BPF is a function of controlling a lower cut-off frequency a higher cut-off frequency separately in a BPF function of the DSP to remove radio interference and compensate a receiving frequency response, and adjusting a BPF center frequency to follow a BFO pitch in a CW mode.   (8) A FUNC (function) switch  18  switches the assigned functions of the multifunction switch  16 .   (9) UP and DWN (down) switches  19  switches operation bands.   (10) A MODE switch  20  switches emission modes, and each time the switch is turned ON, the mode is sequentially switched from an LSB, a CW, an AM, to an FM mode. Further, each time the switch is continuously pressed for five seconds or longer, the mode is sequentially switched from a USB, a CWR, a DIG, to a WFM mode.   (11) An indicator lamp  21  shows a transmission/reception status. The indicator lamp  21  turns red in a transmit mode and turns green in a receive mode.   (12) Though a DIAL (dial) knob  22  is mainly used to make a frequency adjustment, it also makes various adjustments according to functional settings made by the FUNC switch  18 .   (13) A PWR (power) switch  23  turns power ON or OFF.   (14) A VFO/MR switch  24  performs switching between a VFO scanning function and a memory channel scanning function.   (15) A STEP switch  25  switches steps during the frequency adjustment.   (16) A HOME switch  26  calls various frequencies used frequently.   (17) A LOCK switch  27  locks settings that have been made by using switches and knobs on the operation panel.   (18) A PTT switch  28  sets the transmit mode when turned ON, and sets the receive mode when turned OFF.   (19) UP and DWN (down) switches  29  perform the same control as the UP and DOWN switches  19  in the main unit  1 .   (20) A LOCK switch  30  performs the same control as the LOCK switch  27  in the main unit  1 .   (21) An ACC switch  31  calls a home channel of a frequency band being currently used.   (22) A P switch  32  performs the same control as the VFO/MR switch  24  in the main unit  1 .   (23) P 1  and P 2  switches  33  are used for a shift from a lower frequency band to a higher frequency band in a step set by the STEP switch  25 .   

   Recently, various functions of a radio communication apparatus are realized or utilized in the above-mentioned manner by manipulation of a single switch or knob or a combination of any of switches and knobs. Essential data in functional settings made by this manipulation is displayed on a liquid crystal display section (indicated by reference numeral  40  in  FIG. 6 ) in the form of numbers and icons. 
   In the case of the amateur radio transmitter-receiver described above, the number of functions set by various manipulations often exceeds one hundred functions, and even if they are confined to the main functions used frequently during normal operation, the number of the main functions often exceeds a dozen. 
   Accordingly, even a skilled operator seldom correctly grasps all of the functional settings during operation. Let us assume the case where communication has been suspended for a change of operator and then communication is resumed by the former operator. In this case, complete restoration of the original functional setting states is extremely difficult, if any of the modifications in the functional settings has been made after the change of operator. 
   If the settings made by using the switches and knobs are locked by means of the LOCK switch  27 , the operation by the subsequent operator becomes invalid. Thus, a modification in the functional settings can also be made invalid. However, when communication is made by the subsequent operator, switching of the transmit and receive modes by means of the PTT switch  28  alone becomes valid. Functional settings to other radio modes and frequencies, and communication with a change in the received sound volume, however, cannot be performed. 
   Further, by means of the HOME switch  26 , the return to several home channels alone can be performed. However, these channels have to be registered in advance, and a channel to be used is changed frequently in a step-by-step manner during practical operation. For this reason, use of the HOME switch is not effective in solving the problem described above. 
   Further, in automobile-mounted radio communication apparatuses, an unintended erroneous operation tends to occur. To take an example, inadvertent touching on a dial instead of a switching operation to cause a change in frequency can be pointed out. 
   In such a case, in order to continue the communication that has been being performed so far, it is necessary to urgently restore the functional settings to their original states. However, the operator is not informed of the immediately preceding functional settings, so that in this situation, he is often at a loss as to what to do. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a radio communication apparatus is provided with an operator section having at least one actuator associated with a control function and selectively operable to appoint a function setting for the control function and a data storage area having a first data structure for storing a baseline function setting appointed by the actuator and a second data structure for storing a detected function setting. The radio communication apparatus also includes a microprocessor in communication with the data storage area and the operator control section with the microprocessor being selectively operable to enter into a first mode to record the baseline function setting corresponding to the control function in the first data structure and to enter into a second mode subsequent to the first mode to record the detected function setting corresponding to the control function in the second data structure and compare the function settings in the data structures and, upon a comparison of non-coinciding said data structures, an indicator element responsive to a command signal generated from said microprocessor issues a modification notification. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, the operator control section includes a plurality of actuators with each actuator being associated with a control function and a plurality of baseline control settings are compared with a plurality of detected control settings to determine if any modifications to the baseline control have taken place. 
   In yet another aspect of the present invention, a restoration actuator is provided and upon determination of non-coinciding data structures, actuation of the restoration actuator resets the detected function settings to match the baseline function settings. 
   Another feature of the present invention is the incorporation of a display for displaying changed settings and a scrolling actuator to bring up additional menu items on the display menu. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, pre-existing data in a data structure is overwritten upon entry of the first or second modes. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is an illumination device that flashes upon a comparison of non-coinciding data structures. 
   In yet another feature of the present invention, a timer element is provided to initiate a delay wherein an erroneous function setting may be retracted within a pre-determined time period. 
   Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent with further reference to the following drawings and specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic system block diagram of a radio transmitter-receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a status registration mode; 
       FIG. 3  is a RAM data table; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in a status confirmation mode; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an procedure of periodically performing an automatic registration process for functional settings; and 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the radio transmitter-receiver. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Now, an embodiment of a radio communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. 
   First,  FIG. 1  is a schematic system block diagram of the radio transmitter-receiver in  FIG. 6 , described before. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the microphone  2  is connected to the main unit  1  through a microphone jack. In addition, connectors for connecting antennas  3  and  4  that are selected according to a frequency band, a connector for connecting keys (KEYs), an input/output connector for data (DATA), and a connector for connecting a loudspeaker  5  are disposed on the rear and side surfaces of the main unit  1 .  FIG. 1  schematically shows the radio transmitter-receiver including these components. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  51  denotes an input switching circuit for performing switching between a key input and a microphone input. Reference numeral  52  denotes a transmitting circuit including functional modules for transmission, such as a modulator, a BPF, a mixer, an exciting amplifier, and a power amplifier, reference numeral  53  denotes an antenna switching circuit for switching uses of the antennas  3  and  4 . Reference numeral  54  denotes a receiving circuit including functional modules for reception, such as a high-frequency amplifier, a mixer, a BPF, an IF amplifier, a demodulator, and a low-frequency amplifier. Reference numeral  55  denotes a frequency synthesizer for supplying a signal of a local oscillation frequency to each of the mixers, modulators, and demodulators in the transmitting circuit  52  and the receiving circuit  54  to make frequency settings and perform modulation. Reference numeral  56  denotes an MCU (micro controller unit) for controlling functional modules in the transmitting and receiving circuits and an entire system including operation and display circuits, which will be described later. Reference numeral  57  denotes a ROM that stores various control programs to be performed by the MCU  56  and necessary, fixed data. Reference numeral  58  denotes a RAM for storing updated data. 
   Reference numeral  59  denotes an operator section on which the switches and knobs  11  to  27  are mounted, reference numeral  21  denotes an indicator lamp, and reference numeral  40  denotes a liquid crystal display section. The MCU  56  receives an operation command input signal from the switches and knobs  11  to  27  on the operator section  59  and the switches  28  to  33  contained in the microphone  2  through the input/output interface (I/F)  60 . The MCU  56  controls the indicator lamp  21  and transfers display data to the liquid crystal display section  40  through the I/F  60 . 
   Accordingly, the basic circuit structure of the radio transmitter-receiver described above is not so different from a normal radio transmitter-receiver. However, this embodiment is characterized in that control programs in “a status registration mode” and a “status confirmation mode”, associated with functional settings for the system are stored in the ROM  57 , and that a data table used for executing these control programs is stored in the RAM  58 . 
   Next, operation procedures in the above-mentioned modes will be described with reference to the data table and flowcharts illustrated in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5 , one after another. 
   First, the flowchart in  FIG. 2  shows the operation procedure in the status registration mode. 
   If an operator turns ON the FUNC switch  18  and the LOCK switch  27  or  30  simultaneously during the operation of the system in step S 1 , the MCU  56  detects the operation command input through the I/F  60 . Then, the MCU  56  sets the status registration mode by an interrupt and executes the control program associated with this mode in step S 2 . 
   For the operation of the system, the MCU  56  controls various functional modules in the transmitting circuit  52  and the receiving circuit  54 , the local oscillation frequencies from the frequency synthesizer  55 , and the connection statuses of the input switching circuit  51  and the antenna switching circuit  53 , according to operation command inputs from the switches and knobs  11  to  27  on the operator section  59  and the switches  28  to  33  in the microphone  2 . The MCU  56  thereby makes various functional settings corresponding to transmitting and receiving conditions that have been commanded and selected. If the status registration mode described above is set, the MCU  56  detects functional setting data at that point, and writes it in the data table in the RAM  58  in step S 3 . 
   Namely, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the data table in the RAM  58  is configured such that two data cells Dset and Dref are provided, corresponding to respective functional items associated with the transmitting and receiving conditions. In this status registration mode, the MCU  56  writes functional setting data in the data cell Dset in the data table. 
   The functional items in the table are associated with the transmitting and receiving conditions that are modified and set according to the types of the operation of the radio transmitter-receiver. In this embodiment, a MODE (radio mode), a FREQ (T) (transmitting frequency), FREQ(R)(receiving frequency), a VFO/MR (VFO scanning function/memory channel scanning function), a STEP (frequency adjustment step), a DSP (selection of the DSP NR/DSP AUTO NOTCH/DSP BPF mode), an AF VOL (received sound volume), an SQL (squelch ON/OF), RF GAIN (receiving circuit gain), a CLAR (clarifier ON/OFF), an IF SHIFT (shift function ON/OFF) are provided as the functional items. 
   If the functional setting data is already written in the data cell Dset, it is updated by overwriting. 
   Then, if the data writing is completed in step S 4 , the MCU  56  cancels the status registration mode. Then, the system returns to its original state in step S 5 . 
   In other words, this status registration mode is set for the occasion of the change of operator, and is used to record the transmitting and receiving conditions at the point of operator change in the data table. 
   After the operator change, an operator who performs communication thereafter may modify the transmitting and receiving conditions or set new transmitting and receiving conditions by means of the operator section  59  and the switches  28  to  33  in the microphone  2 . 
   Thus, when the initial operator has returned for the change to resume communication, functional settings associated with the original transmitting and receiving conditions would not always remain the same. 
   In this case, the initial operator turns on the FUNC switch  18  and the HOME switch  26  simultaneously to set the status confirmation mode. In this case, it should be arranged that the status registration mode is set by the initial operator alone for the occasion when the change to the initial operator is made. 
   An operation procedure in this status confirmation mode is shown in a flowchart in  FIG. 4 . According to the mode setting operation, the MCU  56  interrupts the procedure of the system to execute the control program in the status confirmation mode in steps S 11  and S 12 . 
   For execution of the control program, the MCU  56  first detects all functional setting data at that point, as in the status registration mode, and then writes them in the Dref (refer to  FIG. 3 ) in the data table in the RAM  58  in step S 13 . If the data is already written in the Dref of the data table, it is updated by overwriting. 
   Thus, the functional setting data for the occasion of the future change to the initial operator is stored in the Dset of the data table, while the functional setting data at the current point of the operator is stored in the Dref, both corresponding to respective functional items. 
   Then, upon completion of data writing into the Dref of the data table in step S 14 , the MCU  56  makes comparisons between the functional setting data in the Dset and the functional setting data in the Dref, for respective functional items, to determine whether all pairs of functional setting data in the Dset and the Dref coincide in steps S 15  and S 16 . 
   If all pairs of the functional setting data in the Dset and the Dref are determined to coincide, the status confirmation mode is terminated in steps S 16  and S 23 . If a functional item is detected for which functional setting data in the Dset does not coincide with the corresponding one in the Dref, the MCU  56  supplies a control signal to the indicator lamp  21  through the I/F  60  to cause the indicator lamp  21  to flash in steps S 16  and S 17 . 
   Accordingly, if the indicator lamp  21  does not flash, the initial operator can confirm that the operator who has performed communication thereafter did not modify the original functional settings. For this reason, he can confirm that communication can be resumed with the original functional settings remain unmodified. 
   On the other hand, if the indicator lamp  21  flashes, it means that one or more of the functional settings has been modified. However, it cannot be known what functional setting associated with which functional item has been modified. 
   Thus, in this embodiment, the MCU  56  reads out a functional item and functional setting data associated with the functional item in the Dset and the Dref that do not coincide, from the data table in the RAM  58 . Then, the MCU  56  transfers them to the liquid crystal section  40  through the I/F  60  for display in step S 18 . 
   To take an example, if functional setting data in the Dset in the status registration mode and functional setting data in the Dref in the status confirmation mode are as shown in  FIG. 3 , it means that functional items indicated by arrows have been modified. Consequently, display of FREQ (T): 144.86 MHz→145.53 MHz, FREQR: 144.86 MHz→144.94 MHz, AF VOL: 32.05 dB→48.74 dB, CLAR: OFF→ON, and IF SHIFT:ON→OFF is performed. 
   Since the liquid crystal display section  40  does not have so large a display area, the UP and DOWN switches  19  are employed for scrolling so as to allow confirmation of all functional item data that has been modified. 
   Next, the operator, who has confirmed from the liquid crystal display section  40  that modification of functional settings has been made, turns on the HOME switch  26  in step S 19 , if it is necessary to restore the current functional settings to their original states. 
   In this case, the MCU  56  regards a signal indicating turning ON of the HOME switch  26  in the state confirmation mode as a command for restoration. Then, according to the displayed functional setting data in the Dset associated with the functional items, the MCU  56  controls the functional modules of the transmitting circuit  52  and the receiving circuit  54  associated with the functional items. Then, the MCU  56  thereby automatically restores the current functional settings to their original states in step S 20 . 
   If communication is then resumed in the restored original states, the operator should turn on the FUNC switch  18  and the HOME switch  26  simultaneously in step  21 , as in the case where the state confirmation mode has been set. If communication is to be carried on in the state where modification of the functional settings was performed, the operator should turn on the FUNC switch  18  without turning on the HOME switch  26 . In response to the operation command signal, the MCU  56  turns off the indicator lamp  21  and then cancels the status confirmation mode in steps S 22  and S 23 . 
   Thus, according to the status confirmation mode, when the operator resumes communication, it can be checked from the state of the indicator lamp  21  whether the current functional settings are modified from the functional settings previously stored in the status registration mode. Further, if modification has been performed, it can be confirmed which functional item is modified. Then, restoration to the original functional settings can be performed by a simple operation, if necessary. 
   Incidentally, the status registration mode in  FIG. 2  described above is set as required, for the occasion of the operator change, for example. The status registration mode is not effective in the case the immediately preceding functional settings are to be restored after an unintended erroneous operation has been performed. 
   In other words, even if the operator who has changed performs modification of functional settings associated with transmitting and receiving conditions at will, restoration to the state at the point of the operator change alone can be performed. Restoration of functional settings to their preceding state immediately before the occurrence of an unintended erroneous operation is not guaranteed. 
   In order to address this problem, use of a periodically automatic registration process in combination with the state confirmation mode as shown in a flowchart in  FIG. 5 , in place of the state registration mode set by manipulating the FUNC and LOCK switches, is effective. 
   First, when the radio transmitter-receiver system is powered up, the MCU  56  activates a built-in timer  56   a  in step S 31 . Then, the MCU  56  monitors whether an operation command signal has been detected from the operator section  59  or the switches  28  to  33  in the microphone  2  through the I/F  60  in step S 32 . 
   If the operation command signal has been detected, the MCU  56  resets the timer  56   a  in steps S 32 , S 33 , and then S 32 . If a predetermined time such as five seconds has elapsed with no operation command signal detected in step S 34 , the MCU  56  writes functional setting data at that point into the Dset in the data table of the RAM  58  in step S 35 , as in the case of the status registration mode. 
   In this case, except in the initial state, data is already written. Thus, in order to update the data, overwriting is performed. 
   Then, upon completion of data writing in step S 36 , the MCU  56  resets the timer  56   a  in step S 33 . Thereafter, the MCU  56  repeats the operations of steps S 32  to S 36  for execution of operations in steps S 33  and S 32 . 
   Accordingly, if the before-mentioned status confirmation mode in  FIG. 4  is set immediately after the occurrence of an unintended erroneous operation, the contents of the unintended erroneous operation can be confirmed, and functional settings can be returned to the state immediately before the unintended erroneous operation has been performed. Thus, communication can be continued smoothly without interruption. 
   Incidentally, when the periodically automatic registration process is selectively set in combination with the status registration mode described above, combinations of various switches which are not used by the system, may be allocated to issue a command for the selection. Then, either one of the periodically automatic registration process and the status registration mode should be executed, as required. 
   In the above embodiment, the description was directed to the radio transmitter-receiver. The present invention, however, can be applied to transmitters and receivers separately as well. 
   Further, in this embodiment, if modification of any of functional settings has been identified in the status confirmation mode, notification is made by flashing of the indicator lamp  21 . Notification by a beep sound or display of a message on the liquid crystal display section  40 , for example, may also employed. 
   Still further, in this embodiment, the status registration mode and the status confirmation mode are set by the use of combinations of the switches. A dedicated switch, however, may be provided and may also be employed for making a setting operation. 
   Those skilled in the art will recognize further variations are possible within the scope claimed below.

Technology Category: 5