JP2013012858A - Communication apparatus, communication apparatus control method, portable communication apparatus provided with communication apparatus, communication apparatus control program, and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To estimate the using state of a portable communication apparatus by a user and automatically switch to a communication function suitable for the using state.SOLUTION: A short-range communication apparatus 1 is provided with a small power radio communication part 4 which effects the operation of at least one mode of a card emulation function of waiting a request for read and write of information stored in a storage part 5 of a portable communication apparatus 100 and a reader/writer emulation function of effecting the operation of a function of reading and writing the information. The short-range communication apparatus 1 is provided with: a sensor information acquisition part 2 for acquiring the orientation of the portable communication apparatus with respect to the ground surface; and a communication method switching part 3 for switching to the mode of the small power radio communication part 4 associated with the orientation with respect to the ground surface acquired by the sensor information acquisition part 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable of automatically switching a plurality of communication functions in accordance with a user's usage situation.

  Communication technology using a non-contact IC chip and a reader / writer has been widely developed. Here, the non-contact type IC chip refers to an integrated circuit including a unique number (ID information), a memory, and a circuit antenna for transmitting and receiving information stored therein. The reader / writer supplies power to the IC chip by electromagnetic induction, receives data stored in the memory inside the chip, demodulates it, reads the information, This refers to a carrier in which an optimum carrier wave is converted on the basis of a modulation method, and a writer that transmits the carrier wave and writes the data in a memory inside the chip is also mounted.

  An example of a service using the communication technology will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a usage scene of an example of a service that is realized by this communication technique and is generally popular. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a non-contact IC chip provided in the mobile phone 201 stores information such as a boarding / alighting station, and a ticket gate 202 including a reader / writer is provided at the station. A ticket system has been realized. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, an electronic money system is provided by storing a balance of electronic money or the like in a non-contact IC chip provided in the mobile phone 201 and including a settlement device 203 including a reader / writer in the store. Is realized. The non-contact type IC chip does not require power in a standby state, and is compact and lightweight, so that it can be widely mounted on a card, a mobile phone or the like.

  Recently, a function as a non-contact type IC chip (hereinafter, this function is referred to as “card emulation function”) and a function as a reader / writer (hereinafter, this function is referred to as “reader / writer emulation function”). Has been developed, and a module conforming to this standard is incorporated in a device such as a mobile phone. Thereby, the card emulation function is normally operated, and the reader / writer emulation function can be operated as necessary.

  Non-Patent Document 1 below discloses an application called “iC tag reader”. The user can operate the reader / writer emulation function by starting this application on the mobile phone. FIG. 6 shows a usage scene of an example of a service realized by switching and operating two functions using such an application. As shown in the figure, an advertisement medium 302 such as a signboard is provided with an IC chip, and the user can read special information such as website information and discount coupons, and the user can perform a reader / writer emulation function of the mobile phone 301. Applications such as reading by operating are expanding.

“IC Tag Reader User Guide” http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/binary/pdf/service/imode/make/content/felica/data/ic_tagreader_guide.pdf

  Some of the modules cannot operate the card emulation function and the reader / writer emulation function at the same time. When this type of module is mounted on a mobile phone, the user needs to manually switch between the two functions using, for example, the above application. However, it is troublesome for the user himself / herself to determine the usage status and operate the device for switching the operation.

  In addition, a module of a type that can operate two functions at the same time simply realizes both functions in a pseudo manner by repeating instantaneous switching between the two functions. For this reason, there is a possibility that the overhead generated by the switching will press the calculation resources and the response speed of other calculation processes may be reduced.

  Further, during operation of the reader / writer emulation function, power is consumed by always outputting a carrier wave. Therefore, it is necessary to shorten the operation time and suppress the power consumption by operating the reader / writer emulation function only in a truly necessary situation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to identify the usage state of the user of the portable communication device and automatically switch to a communication function suitable for the user, thereby reducing the operation burden on the user. It is to provide a communication device that can reduce the processing load on the computer and reduce power consumption.

In order to solve the above problems, the communication device of the present invention provides:
(1) Communication for operating at least one of a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading / writing the information A communication device comprising a module,
(2) acquisition means for acquiring an orientation of the communication device with respect to the ground;
(3) It is characterized by comprising switching means for switching to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition means.

In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the communication device control method of the present invention includes:
(1) Communication for operating at least one of a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading / writing the information A method for controlling a communication device including a module,
(2) an acquisition step of acquiring an orientation of the communication device with respect to the ground;
(3) It is characterized by including the switching step which switches to the mode of the said communication module matched with the direction with respect to the said ground which the said acquisition step acquired.

  According to said structure, the state (posture of a portable communication apparatus) in which a user hold | grips a portable communication apparatus can be identified with the direction with respect to the ground acquired by the predetermined | prescribed sensor (for example, acceleration sensor etc.). Since each state is associated with the read / write standby mode or the read / write execution mode of the communication module, the communication device switches to the mode of the communication module associated with the identified state and executes the mode.

  Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to determine the usage status by himself / herself and to operate the device for switching the operation as in the past, and by identifying the state in which the user is holding the device with a simple configuration, A suitable mode can be automatically executed. In addition, since the calculation resources of the device are not wasted by automatically switching functions as necessary, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

  That is, according to the above configuration, the user's usage state of the portable communication device is identified and automatically switched to a communication function suitable for the user, thereby reducing the operation burden on the user and the processing burden on the computer. There is an effect that consumption can be suppressed.

In the communication device,
(1) The communication module preferably further includes an inter-terminal communication mode in which data communication is performed between the plurality of communication devices.

  The terminal-to-terminal communication mode is a mode in which, for example, a function for easily exchanging data stored in each device such as contact information, contents of e-mail, and a captured video without connecting with a cable or the like is operated. FIG. 7 shows a state in which data is exchanged between the two portable communication devices 401 and 402 by operating the inter-terminal communication mode. Thus, for example, data exchange can be easily performed by laying down and approaching the portable communication device.

  According to said structure, since the said communication module contains the communication mode between terminals, this can be operated when a communication apparatus switches a mode. Therefore, by identifying the state in which the user holds the device with a simple configuration, the inter-terminal communication mode can be automatically executed as a mode suitable for the state.

In the communication device,
(1) When the direction with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit is changed, the acquisition unit further acquires a change with time in the direction with respect to the ground,
(2) The switching means switches to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition means only when the change with time detected by the detection means is within a predetermined range. It is desirable to switch.

  According to the above configuration, when the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by a predetermined sensor changes, the change with time (for example, when the orientation is measured as the tilt angle of a portable communication device, it is equivalent to the angular velocity). Can be detected. Then, the switching means switches to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition means only when the temporal change detected by the detection means is within a predetermined range. .

  On the other hand, the switching means does not switch the mode when the change over time detected by the detection means exceeds a predetermined range. This is because the change over time detected by the detection means exceeds the predetermined range indicates that the state of the portable communication device has changed to a state not intended by the user. For example, when the change over time is indicated by the magnitude of the angular velocity, if the angular velocity is large beyond a predetermined range, the user does not move the portable communication device with his hand, but drops the portable communication device. This means that an accident occurred.

  That is, it is accurately determined whether the change is caused by the user holding and moving the device, or the change in the state of the device not intended by the user, for example, the change caused by the device falling according to gravity. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction and more accurately execute a mode suitable for a state in which the user holds the device.

In the communication device,
(1) The acquisition unit further acquires the position of the portable communication device,
(2) It is desirable that the switching unit switches to a mode associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquiring unit and the position of the portable communication device specified by the specifying unit.

  According to said structure, the communication apparatus can identify the state in which a user holds portable communication equipment by the direction with respect to the ground. And a communication apparatus switches a mode using not only this direction but the positional information on a portable communication apparatus as additional information.

  For example, if it is known in advance that the place where the advertisement medium equipped with the IC chip is installed, a switching process based on the position of the specified portable communication device such as switching to the read / write execution mode preferentially is performed. Yes. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately execute a mode suitable for the use situation of the user.

In the communication device,
(1) The acquisition unit further acquires a current time,
(2) It is desirable that the switching unit switches to a mode associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit and the current time acquired by the time acquisition unit.

  According to said structure, the state in which a user holds portable communication equipment can be identified with the direction with respect to the ground. Then, the communication device switches the mode using not only this direction but also the current time as additional information.

  For example, if it is known from the past usage history that the ticket passes through the station at a predetermined time every day, the card emulation function can be operated at that time regardless of the content of the acquired sensor information. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately execute a mode suitable for the use situation of the user.

In the communication device,
(1) The acquisition unit further acquires an elapsed time from the time of switching to one mode included in the communication module,
(2) Preferably, the switching unit switches to a mode associated with the elapsed time measured by the measuring unit in a state in which the mode is associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquiring unit. .

  According to the above configuration, when the time elapsed after switching to the read / write execution mode or the inter-terminal communication mode exceeds a predetermined time, the read / write standby mode can be switched regardless of the state of the portable communication device.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress power consumption by operating the long-time read / write execution mode or the inter-terminal communication mode, prevent erroneous identification due to disturbance, and perform mode switching suitable for the user's usage mode.

In the communication device,
(1) It is desirable that the switching unit switches to a mode associated with an input from a user in a state where the mode is associated with the direction with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit.

  According to the above configuration, since the user can give an input to the communication device, for example, the communication device can perform an operation of waiting for switching permission from the user before switching the mode, and the user can select a desired mode. Can be selected actively.

The portable communication device of the present invention is
(1) The communication apparatus is provided.

  According to the above configuration, since the portable communication device includes the communication device, it is not necessary for the user to determine the use state by himself / herself and to operate the device for switching the operation as in the past. By identifying the state in which the device holds the device with a simple configuration, a mode suitable for the state can be automatically executed.

  The communication device may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for causing the communication device to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit of the communication device, and recording the program. Such computer-readable recording media also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the communication device of the present invention includes a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device, and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading and writing the information. A communication apparatus including a communication module that operates at least one mode, the acquisition unit acquiring the orientation of the communication device with respect to the ground, and the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit And switching means for switching to the mode.

  The communication device control method of the present invention includes a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device, and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading and writing the information. A method of controlling a communication device including a communication module that operates at least one mode, the acquisition step acquiring the orientation of the communication device with respect to the ground, and the acquisition step associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired And a switching step for switching to the mode of the communication module.

  Therefore, by identifying the usage status of the user of the portable communication device with a simple configuration and automatically switching to a communication function suitable for it, the burden on the user and the processing load on the computer can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced. There is an effect that it can be suppressed.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable communication apparatus incorporating the near field communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the coordinate system of the 3-axis acceleration sensor with respect to the said portable communication apparatus, and the direction where gravity is added. Each state of the portable communication device identified by the short-range communication device is represented, (a) is a state where the portable communication device is erected perpendicularly to the ground, and (b) is the portable communication device. (C) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the portable communication device is tilted sideways so that the side surface portion is horizontal with respect to the ground. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the said near field communication apparatus performs. This figure shows the usage scene of an example of a service that is realized by near field communication technology and is widely used. (A) is a ticket gate that stores information such as boarding / alighting stations and includes a reader / writer at the station. (B) is a mobile communication device equipped with a non-contact IC chip for storing a balance of electronic money, etc., and a store equipped with a payment device including a reader / writer. It is explanatory drawing showing the electronic money system implement | achieved by this. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that the IC medium is provided with the IC chip and the user reads special information stored therein by operating a reader / writer emulation function of the mobile communication device. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that the communication mode between terminals is operated and data is exchanged between two portable communication apparatuses.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment described below, a portable communication device 100 is assumed as an electronic device incorporating the short-range communication device (communication device) 1. Note that the “short distance” in this embodiment refers to a distance that allows contactless communication with an external device (a non-contact IC chip, a reader / writer, or another portable communication device).

〔Overview〕
The portable communication device 100 according to the present embodiment has a situation in which the card emulation function (read / write standby mode) is to be operated by estimating the state of the device main body using a sensor that can detect the posture, movement speed, and the like. The situation in which the reader / writer emulation function (read / write execution mode) should be operated and the situation in which the inter-terminal communication function (inter-terminal communication mode) should be operated are identified.

  An example of how the portable communication device 100 identifies the above three situations will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the coordinate system of the triaxial acceleration sensor for the portable communication device 100 and the direction in which gravity is applied (direction with respect to the ground). FIG. 3 shows each state of the portable communication device 100 identified by the short-range communication device 1, and FIG. 3A shows a state where the portable communication device 100 stands upright with respect to the ground. Fig. (B) shows a state in which the portable communication device 100 is laid horizontally with respect to the ground, and Fig. (C) shows a state in which the portable communication device 100 is tilted sideways so that the side surface portion is horizontal with respect to the ground. Represents.

  Non-contact type IC chips are included in advertising media such as billboards, and these are usually installed in the vertical direction. Therefore, users often hold the portable communication device 100 vertically while holding it. Conceivable. On the other hand, the reader / writer is included in an electronic money payment apparatus or a ticket gate at a station, which is often installed in the horizontal direction, so that the user holds the portable communication device 100 horizontally. It is normal to grip and bring them close together. In addition, when communicating between two devices, it is expected that both devices are often brought sideways and approached.

  If such a difference in actual usage is used, as shown in FIG. 3, whether the portable communication device 100 is in a vertical state, a horizontal state, or a sideways state using, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor It is possible to identify the above three situations simply by determining whether or not each of them can operate an appropriate communication function.

  That is, for example, when the portable communication device 100 is in the vertical state of FIG. 3A, the reader / writer emulation function is operated assuming that the portable communication device 100 is directed to a signboard or the like installed in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6). When the portable communication device 100 is in the horizontal state shown in FIG. 5B, the card emulation function is operated as if it is directed to an electronic money payment apparatus or the like installed in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 5), or portable. When the type communication device 100 is in the horizontal state of FIG. 10C, the inter-terminal communication function is operated assuming that data exchange is performed (see FIG. 7).

[Configuration of portable communication device]
A configuration of portable communication device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the portable communication device 100. As illustrated, the portable communication device 100 includes a short-range communication device 1, a storage unit (storage medium) 5, a sensor unit 6, and an input unit 7.

  The short-range communication device 1 includes a sensor information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 2, a communication method switching unit (switching unit) 3, and a low-power wireless communication unit (communication module) 4. The low-power wireless communication unit 4 includes a card An emulation execution unit 41, a reader / writer emulation execution unit 42, and an inter-terminal communication execution unit 43 are included. The sensor unit 6 includes an acceleration detection unit 61, a time detection unit 62, a position detection unit 63, and an angle detection unit 64. Note that portions that are not directly related to the present embodiment (for example, portions that are often included in general portable communication devices and that realize telephone calls, image capturing, and the like) are omitted from the description of the configuration and the block diagram.

  Hereinafter, short-range communication device 1 (sensor information acquisition unit 2, communication method switching unit 3, low-power wireless communication unit 4, card emulation execution unit 41, reader / writer emulation execution unit 42, inter-terminal communication execution unit 43), storage The function which each structure plays in order of the part 5, the sensor part 6 (the acceleration detection part 61, the time detection part 62, the position detection part 63, the angle detection part 64), and the input part 7 is demonstrated.

(Near field communication equipment 1)
The short-range communication device 1 includes a card emulation function (read / write standby mode) realized by the card emulation execution unit 41, a reader / writer emulation function (read / write execution mode) realized by the reader / writer emulation execution unit 42, or between terminals. At least one function of the inter-terminal communication function (inter-terminal communication mode) realized by the communication execution unit 43 is operated. In this embodiment, the short-range communication device 1 is included in the portable communication device 100. However, the short-range communication device 1 installed outside and the portable communication device 100 can communicate with each other. It is good also as a structure which implement | achieves the said function by doing.

  The sensor information acquisition unit 2 acquires the measurement value of each sensor from the sensor unit 6 and outputs it to the communication method switching unit 3. In the present embodiment, the sensor information acquisition unit 2 receives the acceleration information of the portable communication device 100 from the acceleration detection unit 61, the current time from the time detection unit 62, and the position information of the portable communication device 100 from the position detection unit 63. The angle information of the portable communication device 100 is obtained from the angle detection unit 64.

  The communication method switching unit 3 identifies the state in which the user holds the portable communication device 100 from various sensor information input from the sensor information acquisition unit 2, and the low-power wireless communication unit 4 determines according to the identified state. The included functions (card emulation execution unit 41, reader / writer emulation execution unit 42, inter-terminal communication execution unit 43) are switched. The communication system switching unit 3 outputs a signal for specifying the function to be switched to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, but this output may be anything as long as the function can be specified. A specific switching method will be described in detail later. Further, the communication system switching unit 3 receives an input signal from the input unit 7.

  The low-power wireless communication unit 4 receives a switching signal from the communication method switching unit 3 and operates the function to perform short-range wireless communication with an external device. As this communication standard, an international standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication) may be used.

  The card emulation execution unit 41 implements a card emulation function. That is, in response to a communication request from an external device (reader / writer), information stored in the storage unit 5 is read and written as necessary.

  The reader / writer emulation execution unit 42 implements a reader / writer emulation function. That is, the information stored in the external non-contact type IC chip is read out.

  The inter-terminal communication execution unit 43 realizes an inter-terminal communication function. That is, information is transmitted and received between a plurality of communication devices.

(Storage unit 5)
The storage unit 5 is a non-volatile storage device that stores data used by the sensor information acquisition unit 2, and can be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a DVD, or the like. The data includes a table in which three functions to be switched are associated with the state of the portable communication device 100, a table in which three functions are associated with time, three functions, and one mode. A table in which the elapsed time since switching is associated and position information where the advertisement medium exists are included.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 5 is shown in FIG. 1 as a device built in the portable communication device 100, but may be realized as an external storage device capable of communicating with the portable communication device 100.

(Sensor part 6)
The sensor unit 6 outputs the measurement value of the measurement device included therein to the sensor information acquisition unit 2.

  The acceleration detection unit 61 is a device that measures the direction of gravity of the portable communication device 100 with respect to the ground, and may be, for example, a three-axis or six-axis acceleration sensor provided in a general portable information communication device.

  The time detection unit 62 is a device that acquires the current time, and may be a general clock.

  The position detection unit 63 is a device that acquires position information of the portable communication device 100, and may be a general GPS sensor, for example.

  The angle detection unit 64 is a device that can measure the tilt angle and / or angular velocity (change with time in the direction of the ground) of the portable communication device 100, and may be a general gyroscope, for example.

(Input unit 7)
The input unit 7 is an interface that receives an input operation from the user, and can be realized by, for example, a button or a keyboard.

[Switching process of communication system switching unit 3]
The communication system switching unit 3 outputs a switching signal for operating the card emulation function in principle. This is because this function of waiting for a communication request from another device consumes less power.

  On the other hand, the communication method switching unit 3 identifies the state in which the user uses the portable communication device 100 based on the sensor information input from the sensor information acquisition unit 2, and enters the reader / writer emulation function or the inter-terminal communication function. A signal to be switched is output to the low power wireless communication unit 4. Here, the detailed processing content of the communication system switching part 3 is demonstrated.

(Identification of state by acceleration)
The communication method switching unit 3 changes the state (vertical state, horizontal state, or sideways state) of the portable communication device 100 according to the direction of acceleration (gravity) with respect to the ground of the portable communication device 100 measured by the acceleration detection unit 61. A switching signal for identifying and operating a function corresponding to each state (at least one of a card emulation function, a reader / writer emulation function, and an inter-terminal communication function) is output to the low-power wireless communication unit 4 To do.

  In addition, the coordinate system of the acceleration sensor with respect to the portable communication device 100, the direction in which gravity is applied, and the state of the portable communication device 100 corresponding to each relationship are as described above with reference to FIG. Moreover, you may use the inclination angle with respect to the ground acquired from the angle detection part 64 instead of the acceleration with respect to the ground.

(Improvement of identification accuracy using angular velocity)
The communication method switching unit 3 can acquire the speed of transition from each state to another state based on the angular velocity of the portable communication device 100 measured by the angle detection unit 64. Thereby, in the situation where sufficient identification accuracy cannot be exhibited only by acquiring the acceleration, it is possible to avoid erroneous determination and suppress unnecessary mode switching.

  For example, even when the portable communication device 100 is identified as being in a vertical state by the acceleration sensor, the communication mode switching unit 3 does not output a signal for switching to the reader / writer emulation function when the angular velocity exceeds a predetermined range. When the angular velocity is larger than the predetermined range, the user does not move the portable communication device 100 with his / her hand, but accidents such as accidentally dropping the portable communication device 100 have occurred. It is possible.

(Switch to reader / writer emulation function using location information)
The communication method switching unit 3 may use the position information of the portable communication device 100 measured by the position detection unit 63 as basic information for switching to the reader / writer emulation function. As a result, when it is known in advance that it is a place where a medium equipped with a non-contact type IC chip is installed or when the user has manually switched to the reader / writer emulation function in the past, etc. The reader / writer emulation function can be preferentially switched. Note that whether or not the position is a known position may be determined by determining whether or not the position is stored in the storage unit 5.

(Function switching considering elapsed time)
After switching to the reader / writer emulation function or the terminal-to-terminal communication function, the communication method switching unit 3 switches to return to the card emulation function regardless of the state of the portable communication device 100 when a predetermined time has elapsed. A signal may be output. As a result, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption due to the reader / writer emulation function or the inter-terminal communication function that outputs a carrier wave operating for a long time. Note that the time information used for determining the passage of time is acquired from the time detection unit 62.

  Further, in a situation where the reader / writer emulation function should be operated, the user holds the portable communication device 100 while holding the portable communication device 100 in order to use the portable communication device 100 over a medium having a non-contact IC chip. Is assumed. Alternatively, in a situation where the inter-terminal communication function is to be operated, it is assumed that the user lays down the portable communication device 100 and stops it. Therefore, the communication system switching unit 3 is the case where the vertical state or the sideways state is identified, and after the stationary state continues for a predetermined time (more specifically, the amount of change in acceleration falls within a predetermined range). A signal for switching to the reader / writer emulation function or the inter-terminal communication function may be output.

  On the contrary, even when the vertical state or the sideways state is identified, when the stationary state does not continue for a predetermined time, the communication system switching unit 3 may maintain the operation of the card emulation function. This is because in a situation where the card emulation function is to be operated, it is assumed that the user often contacts (or approaches) the external device while moving the portable communication device 100 held by the user.

(Function switching by user input operation)
The user can also switch between three types of functions by operating a predetermined user interface from the input unit 7. When there is a switching instruction from the user, the communication method switching unit 3 switches to the instructed function regardless of the state of the portable communication device 100.

  Alternatively, the communication method switching unit 3 displays an interface that asks the user whether or not switching is possible when outputting a switching signal to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and waits for switching processing until there is an input permitting switching from the user. May be.

(Other variations)
The communication method switching unit 3 may not switch the function when the remaining battery level of the portable communication device 100 is below a predetermined value. This is because the reader / writer emulation function and the inter-terminal communication function consume a large amount of power by outputting a carrier wave for transmitting and receiving information.

[Processes executed by the near field communication device 1]
The flow of processing executed by the portable communication device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the portable communication device 100.

  First, the communication system switching unit 3 outputs a signal for switching to the card emulation execution unit 41 to the low power wireless communication unit 4 so that the low power wireless communication unit 4 operates the card emulation function (step 1: below) Abbreviated as S1). Next, the communication system switching unit 3 determines the presence / absence of an input for mode selection by the user by determining the presence / absence of input from the input unit 7 (S2). If it is determined that the user is performing an input operation for selecting the card emulation function (“select card emulation function” in S2), the card emulation function is already in operation, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the user is performing an input operation for selecting the reader / writer emulation function (“select reader / writer emulation function” in S2), the communication method switching unit 3 reads the reader / writer emulation executing unit 42. Is output to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and the low-power wireless communication unit 4 operates the reader / writer emulation function (S7). Alternatively, when it is determined that the user is performing an input operation for selecting the inter-terminal communication function (“select inter-terminal communication function” in S2), the communication method switching unit 3 switches to the inter-terminal communication execution unit 43. Is output to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and the low-power wireless communication unit 4 operates the inter-terminal communication function (S8).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no input for mode selection by the user (NO in S2), the sensor information acquisition unit 2 includes the acceleration detection unit 61, the time detection unit 62, the position detection unit 63, and the angle detection unit 64, respectively. Is obtained and output to the communication system switching unit 3 (S3). Next, the communication method switching unit 3 determines whether or not the measured value of the angular velocity received from the sensor information acquisition unit 2 is within a predetermined range (S4). If it is not within the range (NO in S4), the process is terminated as it is. If within the range (YES in S4), the communication method switching unit 3 uses the advertisement in which the current position information of the portable communication device 100 received from the sensor information acquisition unit 2 is mounted with a non-contact IC chip. Or the like (that is, the position where the reader / writer emulation function is operated) is determined whether or not it is stored in the storage unit 5 (S5).

  When the position is stored in the storage unit 5 (YES in S5), the communication method switching unit 3 outputs a signal for switching to the reader / writer emulation executing unit 42 to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and the low-power wireless communication The communication unit 4 operates the reader / writer emulation function (S7). On the other hand, when the position is not stored in the storage unit 5 (NO in S5), the communication method switching unit 3 determines the state of the portable communication device 100 based on the acceleration information received from the sensor information acquisition unit 2. Is identified (S6).

  If it is identified as a horizontal state (“horizontal state” in S6), the card emulation function is already in operation, and the process is terminated. When identified as a vertical state (“vertical state” in S6), the communication method switching unit 3 outputs a signal for switching to the reader / writer emulation executing unit 42 to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and the low-power wireless communication unit 4 operates the reader / writer emulation function (S7). Alternatively, when it is identified as a lying-down state (“side-down state” in S6), the communication method switching unit 3 outputs a signal for switching to the terminal-to-terminal communication execution unit 43 to the low-power wireless communication unit 4, and the low-power wireless communication The unit 4 operates the inter-terminal communication function (S8).

  When switching to the reader / writer emulation function or the inter-terminal communication function (S7, S8), the communication system switching unit 3 monitors the elapsed time after starting the operation (S9). That is, it is determined whether or not the difference (elapsed time) between the time received from the sensor information acquisition unit 2 and the time input from the sensor information acquisition unit 2 at a predetermined interval exceeds the predetermined time. (S9). If the predetermined time has not been exceeded (NO in S9), the operation is continued. If the predetermined time has been exceeded (YES in S9), the process is terminated.

[Effect of near field communication device 1]
By identifying the usage state of the user of the portable communication device with a simple configuration and automatically switching to a communication function suitable for it, it is possible to reduce the operation burden on the user and the processing burden on the computer, and to suppress power consumption. .

[Example of software implementation]
Finally, each block of the short-range communication device 1 may be realized by hardware using a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). May be.

  In the latter case, the short-range communication device 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the program And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the short-range communication device 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions are recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the information to the short-range communication device 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, PLD (Programmable logic device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Logic circuits can be used.

  The short-range communication device 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by radio such as High Data Rate (NFC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), mobile phone network, satellite line, and digital terrestrial network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention can be applied to portable communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones.

1 Near field communication equipment (communication equipment)
2 Sensor information acquisition unit (acquisition means)
3 Communication system switching unit (switching means)
4 Low-power wireless communication unit (communication module)
5. Storage unit (storage medium)
6 sensor unit 7 input unit 41 card emulation execution unit 42 reader / writer emulation execution unit 43 inter-terminal communication execution unit 61 acceleration detection unit 62 time detection unit 63 position detection unit 64 angle detection unit 100 portable communication device 201 mobile phone 202 ticket gate Machine 203 settlement device 301 mobile phone 302 advertising medium 401 mobile phone 402 mobile phone

Claims (11)

A communication module for operating at least one of a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading and writing the information A communication device,
Obtaining means for obtaining the orientation of the portable communication device relative to the ground;
A communication device comprising switching means for switching to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition means.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication module further includes an inter-terminal communication mode in which data communication is performed between the plurality of communication devices. The acquisition means further acquires a change with time of the orientation with respect to the ground when the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition means has changed,
The switching means switches to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquiring means only when the change with time is within a predetermined range. 2. The communication device according to 2. The acquisition means further acquires the position of the portable communication device,
The said switching means switches to the mode matched with the direction with respect to the said ground which the said acquisition means acquired, and the position of the said portable communication apparatus, The any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Communication device. The acquisition means further acquires the current time,
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to a mode associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquiring unit and the current time. 6. The acquisition means further acquires an elapsed time from the time of switching to one mode included in the communication module,
6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to a mode associated with the elapsed time in a state where the mode is switched to a mode associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication apparatus according to claim 1.   The switching unit switches to a mode associated with an input from a user in a state where the mode is switched to a mode associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired by the acquisition unit. The communication apparatus of any one of Claims.   A portable communication device comprising the communication device according to claim 1. A communication module for operating at least one of a read / write standby mode for waiting for a read / write request for information stored in a storage medium of a portable communication device and a read / write execution mode for operating a function for reading and writing the information A communication device control method comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring an orientation of the communication device with respect to the ground;
And a switching step of switching to the mode of the communication module associated with the orientation with respect to the ground acquired in the acquiring step.   A control program for operating the communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control program causes a computer to function as each means.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the control program of Claim 10.

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