JP6072719B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and communication method setting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a communication method setting method.

  An increasing number of devices such as smartphones and tablets connected to mobile routers are equipped with wireless communication interfaces that support both Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communications. It is coming. Also, mobile routers have come to support both Wi-Fi communication and Bluetooth communication (Patent Document 1).

  Wi-Fi communication is characterized by high communication speed but high power consumption. On the other hand, Bluetooth communication is characterized by low speed but low power consumption. Therefore, the user needs to select each communication interface in consideration of these characteristics before performing communication.

  It is also possible to select a communication interface from the viewpoint of power consumption in consideration of the remaining battery level of the terminal. On the other hand, since the communication speed dynamically changes due to restrictions on the Internet network environment and WAN (Wide Area Network) lines, it has been difficult to select an optimal communication interface from the viewpoint of communication speed.

  Recently, services that reduce the communication speed on the WAN side (LTE (Long Term Evolution)) when the specified amount of communication is exceeded have also begun. High-speed communication is possible on the WAN side, but the actual data communication speed is low. There is also a communication environment that is slow.

  When using tethering such as a smartphone in related technology, it is necessary for the user to set whether to perform Bluetooth communication or Wi-Fi communication before starting communication.

JP 2003-283536 A

  However, the related technology has the following problems. That is, the user must select a communication method before performing communication. Therefore, the selected communication method and actual data communication volume do not match, and there is a problem that the operation time is shortened because Wi-Fi communication is used even though low-speed communication is sufficient, and Bluetooth communication is better though high-speed communication is better. There was a problem that it was not possible to communicate smoothly.

  A wireless communication device of the present invention is a wireless communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another wireless communication device and transmits a signal received from another wireless communication device to the base station. A receiving unit that receives a signal from the wireless communication device, a storage unit that stores information based on the signal received by the receiving unit, and a first communication method that transmits a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit. One communication module, a second communication module that transmits a signal based on information stored in the storage unit by the second communication method, which has a higher communication speed than the first communication method, and the information stored in the storage unit. And a setting unit that sets a communication module that transmits a signal to the base station or another wireless communication device based on the amount as either the first communication module or the second communication module.

  The communication method setting method of the present invention is a communication method setting method using a wireless communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another wireless communication device and transmits a signal received from the other wireless communication device to the base station. A reception step for receiving a signal from a base station or another wireless communication device, a storage step for storing information based on the signal received at the reception step, and a signal based on the information stored at the storage step The first communication step for transmitting the first communication method and the second communication for transmitting the signal based on the information stored in the storage step by the second communication method having a higher communication speed than the first communication method. A communication step for transmitting a signal to a base station or another wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the step and the storage step is a first communication step or a second communication step. Comprising a setting step of setting the or Re, the.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the radio | wireless communication apparatus and communication system setting method which can switch a communication system without depending on a user's operation can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication device 100 according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 100 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system 2000 concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the table concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 200 concerning 4th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. Radio communication apparatus 100 transmits a signal received from a base station (not shown) to another radio communication apparatus (not shown), and transmits a signal received from another radio communication apparatus to the base station. It is. As the wireless communication device 100, for example, a mobile router, a smartphone having a tethering function, a tablet, or the like can be considered. Here, the tethering function refers to a function that allows a mobile phone network that can be used by a smartphone or the like to be opened to other devices and connected to the Internet. That is, it is a function that can use a smartphone or the like as a mobile router.

  The wireless communication device 100 includes a receiving unit 101, a storage unit 102, a first communication module 103, a second communication module 104, and a setting unit 105.

  The receiving unit 101 receives signals from the base station and other wireless communication devices. Here, the signal refers to a signal that is symbolized or encoded to convey information, for example, a signal represented by 0101 or the like.

  The storage unit 102 stores information based on the signal received by the reception unit 101. Here, the information based on the received signal refers to information obtained by converting the received signal into a storage unit format.

  The first communication module 103 transmits a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit 102 by the first communication method.

  The second communication module 104 transmits a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit 102 by the second communication method having a higher communication speed than the first communication method.

  Here, the signal based on the stored information refers to a signal obtained by converting the stored information into a signal represented by 0101 or the like.

  For example, Bluetooth communication can be considered as the first communication method, and Wi-Fi communication having a higher communication speed than Bluetooth communication can be considered as the second communication method.

  The setting unit 105 sets a communication module that transmits a signal to another wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the storage unit 102 as either the first communication module 103 or the second communication module 104. .

  In data communication, when the data communication speed of the output interface is slower than that of the input interface, the data stays in the storage unit 102. In the present embodiment, this phenomenon is used as a determination criterion for setting a communication method.

  The operation of the wireless communication apparatus 100 will be described using FIG. It is assumed that the wireless communication device 100 is performing Bluetooth communication.

  The setting unit 105 confirms the amount of information stored in the storage unit 102 (step S1), and determines a communication method based on the confirmation result (steps S1 and S2). If the result of determination in step S2 is Bluetooth communication (Bluetooth in step S2), Bluetooth communication is continued (step S3). On the other hand, if it is determined as Wi-Fi communication (Wi-Fi in step S2), Wi-Fi communication is established, and Bluetooth communication is terminated (step S4).

  In the wireless communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the setting unit 105 sets a communication method based on the amount of information stored in the storage unit 102. Thereby, an optimal communication method according to the amount of information staying in the storage unit 102 can be automatically set.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system including the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication system 2000 includes a first wireless communication device 200, a second wireless communication device 300, and a wireless base station 400.

  In the present embodiment, the first wireless communication device 200 is a mobile router capable of Wi-Fi communication and Bluetooth communication, and the second wireless communication device 300 is a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet capable of Wi-Fi communication and Bluetooth communication. A device (hereinafter referred to as a smartphone) will be described as an example.

  The radio base station 400 is a general radio base station for performing radio communication such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) (registered trademark).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the first wireless communication apparatus (mobile router) 200.

  The storage unit 201 stores software necessary for controlling the mobile router 200 and connection information of each wireless interface.

  The main control unit 202 has a configuration corresponding to the setting unit 105 of the wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. The main control unit 202 controls each block of the mobile router 200. Further, the main control unit 202 monitors (confirms) the retention amount of data in the communication buffer 211, which will be described later, and compares the retention amount of data in the communication buffer 211 with the table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not to change the communication method.

  The operation of the main control unit 202 will be described in detail below. In data (packet) communication, when the data communication speed of the output interface is slower than that of the input interface, the packet stays in the communication buffer 211. In the present embodiment, this phenomenon is used as a criterion for changing the communication method between the smartphone 300 and the mobile router 200.

  In downlink data communication from the WAN line (wireless base station 400) to the smartphone 300, when the communication speed to the smartphone 300 is slower than the communication speed from the WAN line, packets stay in the communication buffer 211 according to the difference in communication speed. . In order to increase the communication speed with the smartphone 300 and eliminate the retention of the packet, the communication method is changed from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication.

  On the other hand, in uplink data communication from the smartphone 300 to the radio base station 400, if the communication speed of the WAN line is slower than the communication speed from the smartphone 300, packet retention occurs in the communication buffer 211. In order to reduce the communication speed with the smartphone 300 and eliminate the retention of the packet, the communication method is changed from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication.

  Therefore, the main control unit 202 monitors the data retention amount of downlink data communication when the communication with the smartphone 300 is Bluetooth communication, and the data of the uplink data communication when the communication with the smartphone 300 is Wi-Fi communication. Monitor residence volume.

  The LTE communication module 203, the Wi-Fi communication module 204, and the Bluetooth communication module 205 perform data communication by LTE communication, Wi-Fi communication, and Bluetooth communication, and control of the communication, respectively. The LTE communication module 203 has a configuration corresponding to the reception unit 101 of the wireless communication device 100 in the first embodiment. The Wi-Fi communication module 204 and the Bluetooth communication module 205 are the first communication module 103 or the second communication module 103. The configuration corresponds to the communication module 104.

  The power supply circuit 206 is supplied with power from a lithium ion battery 210 to be described later, and supplies power to the storage unit 201, the main control unit 202, the LTE communication module 203, the Wi-Fi communication module 204, and the Bluetooth communication module 205. Also, power ON / OFF control of each block is performed.

  An AC adapter or the like is connected to the charging interface 207. The charging interface 207 is an interface for charging the lithium ion battery 210.

  The charging control unit 208 performs charging control for the lithium ion battery 210.

  The battery remaining amount monitoring unit 209 monitors the capacity of the lithium ion battery 210.

  The lithium ion battery 210 is a general rechargeable battery.

  The communication buffer 211 has a configuration corresponding to the storage unit 102 of the wireless communication apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. The communication buffer 211 is a buffer for temporarily storing packets during communication (communication packets). The communication packet is temporarily stored in the communication buffer 211 and then transferred to the Wi-Fi communication module 204 or the Bluetooth communication module 205. More specifically, the downlink communication packet from the WAN line is received by the LTE communication module 203, temporarily stored in the communication buffer 211, and transferred to the Wi-Fi communication module 204 or the Bluetooth communication module 205.

  Next, the operation of the mobile router 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile router 200 is connected to the smartphone 300 using Bluetooth communication with low power consumption in order to increase the continuous operation time, and relays data communication between the radio base station 400 and the smartphone 300. (Step S300).

  The main control unit 202 monitors (confirms) the downlink data of the communication buffer 211, that is, the data retention amount from the wireless base station 400 to the smartphone 300 (step S301). Then, the main control unit 202 compares the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 with the table shown in FIG. 5 and determines whether or not to change the communication method with the smartphone 300 (step S302).

  When the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is equal to or less than the threshold value (10 packets in the case of FIG. 5), the main control unit 202 determines that the Bluetooth communication is continued (Bluetooth in step S302). When the Bluetooth communication is continued, the process proceeds to step S303, and when the timer expires (yes in step S303), the downlink data retention amount is monitored (confirmed) again (step S301). That is, the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is periodically checked at the set timer value cycle. Usually, since switching of the communication method takes several tens of seconds, for example, a time of 1 minute or more is set as the timer value. However, it is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, if the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is larger than the threshold value (10 packets in the case of FIG. 5), it is determined to switch to Wi-Fi communication (Wi-Fi in S302). In the case of switching to Wi-Fi communication, the process proceeds to step S310, and the power of the Wi-Fi communication module 204 is turned on.

  When power is supplied to the Wi-Fi communication module 204 and the Wi-Fi communication module 204 is activated, the Wi-Fi communication module 204 establishes communication with the smartphone 300 (step S311).

  After the Wi-Fi communication is established, the Bluetooth communication module 205 disconnects the Bluetooth communication. When the Bluetooth communication is disconnected, the main control unit 202 turns off the power of the Bluetooth communication module 205 (step S312).

  Through the above processing, the communication method between the mobile router 200 and the smartphone 300 is switched from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication.

  After switching to Wi-Fi communication, the main control unit 202 monitors (confirms) the uplink data in the communication buffer 211, that is, the data retention amount from the smartphone 300 to the radio base station 400 (step S313).

  The main control unit 202 compares the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 with the table shown in FIG. 5 and determines whether or not to change the communication method with the smartphone 300 (step S314).

  When the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (2 packets in FIG. 5), the main control unit 202 determines that Wi-Fi communication is continued (Wi-Fi in step S314). When the Wi-Fi communication is continued, the process proceeds to step S315, and when the timer expires, the uplink data retention amount is monitored (confirmed) again (step S313). When the timer expires (yes in step S315), the downstream data retention amount is monitored (confirmed) again (step S313). That is, the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is periodically checked at the set timer value cycle.

  On the other hand, when the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is smaller than the threshold (2 packets in the case of FIG. 5), it is determined to switch to Bluetooth communication (Bluetooth in step S314). In the case of switching to Bluetooth communication, the Bluetooth communication module 205 is turned on (step S316).

  When power is supplied to the Bluetooth communication module 205 and the Bluetooth communication module 205 is activated, the Bluetooth communication module 205 establishes communication with the smartphone 300 (step S317).

  After the Bluetooth communication is established, the Wi-Fi communication module 204 disconnects the Wi-Fi communication. When the Wi-Fi communication is disconnected, the main control unit 202 turns off the power of the Wi-Fi communication module 204 (step S318).

  With the above processing, the connection between the mobile router 200 and the smartphone 300 is switched to Bluetooth communication.

  According to the mobile router according to the present embodiment, the main control unit 202 sets a communication method based on the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211. As a result, an optimum communication method according to the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 can be automatically set.

  Furthermore, there are the following effects. 1. When there is a large amount of data in the communication buffer, data communication can be performed comfortably by switching from Bluetooth communication to Wi-Fi communication. 2. When the data retention amount in the communication buffer is small, switching from Wi-Fi communication to Bluetooth communication can reduce power consumption and extend the continuous operation time. 3. By switching the communication method according to the data retention amount in the communication buffer, power consumption can be suppressed when the communication speed cannot be ensured even if the physical speed is high. 4). By creating a table that defines a threshold for determining a communication method, it is possible to weight each communication method.

  In the above description, in step S300, the example in which the mobile router 200 and the smartphone 300 are connected using Bluetooth communication with low power consumption in order to increase the continuous operation time has been described. In addition, the mobile router 200 and the smartphone 300 can be connected using Wi-Fi communication.

  Further, when the data retention amount in the communication buffer 211 is in the vicinity of the threshold value, switching between Bluetooth communication and Wi-Fi communication may occur frequently. In this case, a time during which communication cannot be performed occurs. Moreover, power is consumed instead. Therefore, after determining whether to switch to Wi-Fi communication in step S302 (Wi-Fi in S302), the Wi-Fi communication module is used when the data retention amount is stable for a predetermined time after crossing the threshold and exceeds or falls below the threshold. The power supply 204 may be turned on (S310). The same applies to after switching to Bluetooth communication in step S314 (Bluetooth in S314).

[Third Embodiment]
In recent years, a service for lowering the communication speed according to the amount of data communication has begun to be provided. With this service, the monthly data communication volume is limited, and if the specified communication volume is exceeded (over), the communication speed of the WAN line will extremely decrease.

  In the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment, in order to support this service, the main control unit 202 of the wireless communication apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment has the following functions (main control unit 502). That is, the main control unit 502 has a function of monitoring the monthly data communication amount in addition to the function of the main control unit 202 of the wireless communication apparatus 200 in the second embodiment.

  Other configurations of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding configurations in the wireless communication apparatus 200.

  The operation of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 7, after the smartphone and the mobile router are connected by Bluetooth communication (S500), before the flow shown in S301 and after in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the monthly data communication amount is exceeded. (Step S501) is added. If the amount of data communication is over (Yes in step S501), communication is performed using only Bluetooth without executing the flow of FIG. 6 (step S502). On the other hand, if the amount of data communication has not exceeded (No in step S501), the flow shown in and after S301 in FIG. 6 is executed (step S503).

  According to the wireless communication apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment, when a predetermined amount of data communication is exceeded, the communication method is not determined, and communication is performed using only Bluetooth communication. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed.

  In the above description, in step S500, the example in which the smartphone and the mobile router are connected using Bluetooth communication with low power consumption in order to increase the continuous operation time has been described. In addition, a smartphone and a mobile router can be connected using Wi-Fi communication. In this case, if the monthly data communication amount is exceeded (yes in step S501), the communication is switched to Bluetooth communication.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In data communication, another possible cause of data retention in the storage unit (communication buffer) is that a plurality of wireless communication devices are connected to the wireless communication device. For example, this is a case where a plurality of slave units are connected to one mobile router or a smartphone having a dithering function.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 8, after the switch to Bluetooth is determined in S314 of the flow shown in FIG. 6 (Bluetooth in step S314), it is confirmed whether or not another slave unit is connected to the wireless communication device 600. Step (step S814a) to be added is added. If no other slave unit is connected to the communication device 600 (No in step S814a), the communication method is switched to Bluetooth communication (steps S816 to S818). On the other hand, if another child device is connected (Yes in step S814a), the Wi-Fi communication is continued without switching the communication method (step S819). The other flows shown in FIG. 8 are the same as the corresponding flows shown in FIG.

  According to the wireless communication device 600 according to the present embodiment, even when switching to Bluetooth communication is determined by the main control unit, switching is performed when another slave unit is connected to the wireless communication device 600. Can be avoided, and Wi-Fi communication that is high-speed communication with other slave units can be maintained.

  In the second to fourth embodiments, the mobile router is used as the first communication device. However, a smartphone having a tethering function may be used.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, another modification and an application example are included. .

  Part or all of the above embodiments can be described as follows, but is not limited to the following.

(Appendix 1)
A radio communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another radio communication device and transmits a signal received from the other radio communication device to the base station,
A receiver for receiving signals from the base station and other wireless communication devices;
A storage unit for storing information based on the signal received by the reception unit;
A first communication module for transmitting a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit by a first communication method;
A second communication module for transmitting a signal based on information stored in the storage unit by a second communication method having a higher communication speed than the first communication method;
Setting to set a communication module that transmits a signal to the base station or another wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the storage unit as either the first communication module or the second communication module A wireless communication device.

(Appendix 2)
The wireless communication device according to appendix 1, wherein the amount of information stored in the storage unit is a retention amount of data received from the base station or data received from the other wireless communication device.

(Appendix 3)
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the first communication method consumes less power than the second communication method.

(Appendix 4)
The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the first communication method is Bluetooth communication, and the second communication method is Wi-Fi communication.

(Appendix 5)
The setting unit
Information on a path for transmitting a signal received from the base station to the other radio communication device when the first communication module is set to a communication module for transmitting a signal to the base station or the other radio communication device. Monitor the amount of
Information on a route for transmitting a signal received from the other wireless communication device to the base station when the second communication module is set to a communication module that transmits a signal to the base station or the other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the wireless communication device monitors the amount of the wireless communication device.

(Appendix 6)
When the amount of information is in the vicinity of a threshold for switching between the first communication method and the second communication method, the switching is performed when the amount of information exceeds or falls below the threshold for a predetermined time after crossing the threshold. The wireless communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein:

(Appendix 7)
Any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein communication is performed only in the first communication method when the amount of information based on a signal received from the base station or the other wireless communication device exceeds a predetermined amount The wireless communication device according to one item.

(Appendix 8)
A communication method setting method using a wireless communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another wireless communication device and transmits a signal received from the other wireless communication device to the base station,
Receiving a signal from the base station or another wireless communication device;
A storage step of storing information based on the signal received in the reception step;
A first communication step of transmitting a signal based on the information stored in the storage step by a first communication method;
A second communication step of transmitting a signal based on the information stored in the storage step by a second communication method having a communication speed faster than the first communication method;
A communication step for transmitting a signal to the base station or another wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the storage step is set to either the first communication step or the second communication step. A communication method setting method including a setting step.

(Appendix 9)
The communication method setting method according to appendix 8, wherein the amount of information stored in the storage unit is a retention amount of data received from the base station or data received from the other wireless communication device.

(Appendix 10)
The communication method setting method according to appendix 8 or 9, wherein the first communication method consumes less power than the second communication method.

(Appendix 11)
The communication method setting method according to any one of appendices 8 to 10, wherein the first communication method is Bluetooth communication, and the second communication method is Wi-Fi communication.

(Appendix 12)
In the setting step,
Information on a path for transmitting a signal received from the base station to the other radio communication device when the first communication module is set to a communication module for transmitting a signal to the base station or the other radio communication device. Monitor the amount of
Information on a route for transmitting a signal received from the other wireless communication device to the base station when the second communication module is set to a communication module that transmits a signal to the base station or the other wireless communication device. The communication method setting method according to any one of appendices 8 to 11, wherein the amount is monitored.

(Appendix 13)
When the amount of information is in the vicinity of a threshold for switching between the first communication method and the second communication method, the switching is performed when the amount of information exceeds or falls below the threshold for a predetermined time after crossing the threshold. The communication method setting method according to any one of appendices 8 to 12, wherein:

(Appendix 14)
Any one of appendices 8 to 13, wherein communication is performed only by the first communication method when the amount of information based on a signal received from the base station or the other wireless communication device exceeds a predetermined amount The communication method setting method according to one item.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Wireless communication apparatus 101 Reception part 102 Memory | storage part 103 1st communication module 104 2nd communication module 105 Setting part 200 1st wireless communication apparatus (mobile router)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Memory | storage part 202 Main control part 203 LTE communication module 204 Wi-Fi communication module 205 Bluetooth communication module 206 Power supply circuit 207 Charging interface 208 Charge control part 209 Battery residual quantity monitoring part 210 Lithium ion battery 211 Communication buffer 300 2nd wireless communication Device (smartphone)
400 wireless base station 2000 wireless communication system

Claims (10)

A radio communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another radio communication device and transmits a signal received from the other radio communication device to the base station,
A receiver for receiving signals from the base station and other wireless communication devices;
A storage unit for storing information based on the signal received by the reception unit;
A first communication module that transmits a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit to the other wireless communication device by a first communication method;
A second communication module for transmitting a signal based on information stored in the storage unit to the other wireless communication device by a second communication method having a higher communication speed than the first communication method;
A setting unit that sets a communication module that transmits a signal to the other wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the storage unit, either the first communication module or the second communication module; With
When a plurality of other wireless communication devices are connected to the wireless communication device, a signal based on the information stored in the storage unit is transmitted regardless of the amount of information stored in the storage unit. Transmitting to the other wireless communication device by two communication methods;
Wireless communication device.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of information stored in the storage unit is a retention amount of data received from the base station or data received from the other wireless communication device.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first communication method consumes less power than the second communication method.   The wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first communication method is Bluetooth communication, and the second communication method is Wi-Fi communication. The setting unit
The amount of information in the path of the first communication module transmits a signal received from the base station to the another wireless communication apparatus when it is set to the communication module to send a signal to the other wireless communication device Monitor
Monitoring the amount of information in the path of the second communication module to transmit a signal received from the another wireless communication apparatus when it is set to the communication module to send a signal to the other radio communication device to the base station The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   When the amount of information is in the vicinity of a threshold for switching between the first communication method and the second communication method, the switching is performed when the amount of information exceeds or falls below the threshold for a predetermined time after crossing the threshold. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein communication is performed only by the first communication method when an amount of information based on a signal received from the base station or the other wireless communication device exceeds a predetermined amount. The wireless communication device according to claim 1. A communication method setting method using a wireless communication device that transmits a signal received from a base station to another wireless communication device and transmits a signal received from the other wireless communication device to the base station,
Receiving a signal from the base station or another wireless communication device;
A storage step of storing information based on the signal received in the reception step;
A first communication step of transmitting a signal based on the information stored in the storage step to the other wireless communication device by a first communication method;
A second communication step of transmitting a signal based on the information stored in the storage step to the other wireless communication device by a second communication method whose communication speed is faster than the first communication method;
A setting step of setting a communication step of transmitting a signal to the other wireless communication device based on the amount of information stored in the storage step as either the first communication step or the second communication step; ,
When a plurality of other wireless communication devices are connected to the wireless communication device, a signal based on the information stored in the storage step is output regardless of the amount of information stored in the storage step. A third communication step of transmitting to the other wireless communication device by the second communication method;
Communication method setting method including The communication method setting method according to claim 8, wherein the amount of information stored in the storing step is a retention amount of data received from the base station or data received from the other wireless communication device.   The communication method setting method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first communication method consumes less power than the second communication method.

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