Short range wireless communication system, portable terminal apparatus, and wireless communication apparatus

A portable terminal apparatus having predetermined functions, comprising:

• a short-range wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a wireless communication apparatus at close range;
• a received signal processing unit for monitoring a signal level of a wireless signal generated by said wireless communication apparatus;
• an outgoing signal output unit for causing said short-range wireless communication unit to output a request asking said wireless communication apparatus to increase transmission power when said signal level of said wireless signal drops below a predetermined threshold;
• a reduced power mode control unit for moving into a particular operation mode when the short-range wireless communications do not take place at least for a predetermined time period;
• a function limiting unit for limiting use of said predetermined functions when said signal level of said wireless signal from said wireless communication apparatus drops so low that a state of connection with said wireless communication apparatus cannot be maintained;
• and
• a response speed control unit for reducing a response speed at which to detect a level change in said wireless signal output from said wireless communication apparatus when said particular operation mode is in effect,
• wherein said outgoing signal output unit determines whether or not to make the request for the increase in said transmission power based on the detected output having triggered the reduction of said response speed.

A portable terminal apparatus having predetermined functions, comprising:

• short-range wireless communicating means for conducting short-range wireless communications with a wireless communication apparatus;
• monitoring means for monitoring a signal level of a wireless signal generated by said wireless communication apparatus;
• requesting means for causing said short-range wireless communicating means to output a request asking said wireless communication apparatus to increase transmission power when said signal level of said wireless signal drops below a predetermined threshold;
• operation mode controlling means for moving into a particular operation mode when said short-range wireless communications do not take place at least for a predetermined time period;
• function limiting means for limiting use of said predetermined functions when said signal level of said wireless signal from said wireless communication apparatus drops so low that a state of connection with said wireless communication apparatus cannot be maintained;
• and
• response speed controlling means for reducing a response speed at which to detect a level change in said wireless signal output from said wireless communication apparatus when said particular operation mode is in effect,
• wherein said requesting means determines whether or not to make the request for the increase in said transmission power based on the detected output having triggered the reduction of said response speed.

A portable terminal apparatus comprising:

• communicating means for conducting voice and data communications with a base station;
• short-range wireless communicating means for conducting short-range wireless communications with a wireless communication apparatus using a technology called Bluetooth, a registered trademark;
• monitoring means for monitoring a signal level of a wireless signal generated by said wireless communication apparatus;
• requesting means for causing said short-range wireless communicating means to output a request asking said wireless communication apparatus to increase transmission power when said signal level of said wireless signal drops below a predetermined threshold;
• operation mode controlling means for moving into a reduced power mode when said short-range wireless communications do not take place at least for a predetermined time period;
• function limiting means for limiting use of at least part of said voice and data communications when said signal level of said wireless signal from said wireless communication apparatus drops so low that a state of connection with said wireless communication apparatus cannot be maintained;
• and
• response speed controlling means for reducing a response speed at which to detect a level change in said wireless signal output from said wireless communication apparatus when said reduced power mode is in effect,
• wherein said requesting means determines whether or not to make the request for the increase in said transmission power based on the detected output having triggered the reduction of said response speed.

A wireless communication apparatus for conducting short-range wireless communications with short-range wireless communication units located externally, said wireless communication apparatus comprising:

• a short-range wireless communication unit for establishing a state of connection for conducting short-range wireless communications with a particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• an outgoing signal output unit for transmitting a wireless signal to said particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• a power adjustment unit for adjusting transmission power for sending said wireless signal to said particular external short-range wireless communication unit in accordance with a request from said particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• and
• an alarm generation unit which, in case of a disconnection from said particular external short-range wireless communication unit, alerts a user to said disconnection.

A wireless communication apparatus for conducting short-range wireless communications with short-range wireless communication units located externally, said wireless communication apparatus comprising:

• connecting means for establishing a state of connection for conducting short-range wireless communications with a particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• transmitting means for transmitting a wireless signal to said particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• power adjusting means for adjusting transmission power for sending said wireless signal to said particular external short-range wireless communication unit in accordance with a request from said particular external short-range wireless communication unit;
• and
• alerting means which, in case of a disconnection from said particular external short-range wireless communication unit, alerts a user to said disconnection.