Radio network expansion method

Abstract

One objective of the present invention is to determine a location for a relay terminal in a radio network, without preparatory surveying a radio status, and to arrange the relay terminal at the location. Another objective is to provide a method for retrieving the arranged relay terminal. When a relay terminal is to be arranged, the relay terminal transmits a survey packet to examine the quality of communication with a communication terminal or other relay terminal. Wherer a location is appropriate, the relay terminal gives a notice. The arranged terminal relays communication. Further, when the relay terminal is to be retrieved, the relay terminal carried by a user transmits a retrieval packet to the arranged relay terminal, which notifies the user of its presence by light, sounds, or returning a packet. In this manner, a single relay terminal provides functions of arrangement, relay and retrieval.

1 . A radio network expansion method, for a radio network wherein a plurality of communication terminals transmit or receive data and one or more relay terminals relay or transmit the data that are transmitted or received by the communication terminals; and wherein the relay terminals perform measure qualities of communication with the communication terminals, and employ results obtained by the measurements to designate locations at which the relay terminals are to be arranged.  
   
   
       2 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby evaluation values for the qualities of communication are the field intensities of signals received by the relay terminals.  
   
   
       3 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby evaluation values for the qualities of communication are signal-to-noise ratios for signals received by the relay terminals.  
   
   
       4 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby the relay terminals are capable of designating locations accessible by at least two communication terminals and/or relay terminals so as to increase reliability when a communication cutoff occurs that is caused by the halting of the functions of the relay terminals, due to a failure at or the destruction of the relay terminals, or a battery shortage.  
   
   
       5 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 4 , whereby the locations accessible by at least two communication terminals and/or relay terminals are determined based on the field intensities of received signals or the signal-to-noise ratios of the signals.  
   
   
       6 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby the relay terminals performs a function selected from among a relay terminal arrangement support function, a relay function and a retrieval support function.  
   
   
       7 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby a user of the communication terminal is notified, by the relay terminals, of the locations and currently selected functions of the relay terminals.  
   
   
       8 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 7 , whereby lights having different colors, and sounds, are employed, by the relay terminals, to notify the user of the communication terminal of the locations and currently selected functions of the relay terminals.  
   
   
       9 . A radio network expansion method according to  claim 1 , whereby the user of the communication terminal is notified, by the relay terminals, that the relay terminals are present.