JP4058527B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including a plurality of operation cards and a communication terminal that operates based on operation information recorded on the operation cards.

In recent years, the functions of information communication devices have improved, and the operation has become complicated accordingly. It has become difficult to exchange information between people who are familiar with the handling of these information communication devices and the elderly or immature persons. It is coming.
In view of the desire to simplify the operation of information communication equipment and eliminate the barrier in information exchange, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-350693 has installed a conversion computer for converting between electronic mail and FAX. The E-mail is converted to FAX and transmitted to the other party via a telephone line, or the FAX returned by the other party is converted to E-mail. Therefore, the user can send and receive e-mails with a simple operation using FAX.
JP 2000-350693 A

However, since it cannot be used unless a conversion computer for converting e-mails and faxes is installed, a new infrastructure must be provided, which increases costs. Also, converting an e-mail with a small amount of data into a FAX with a large amount of data and transmitting / receiving it has the disadvantage of wasting a communication line.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a communication system capable of transmitting data with a simple operation without changing an existing communication method.

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the optical reading unit of the communication terminal reads the two-dimensional code recorded on the operation card, the decoding unit decodes the operation information indicated by the two-dimensional code. And a control part controls the operation | movement regarding communication based on the operation information which the decoding part decoded. As a result, the operation related to the communication terminal can be controlled simply by causing the communication terminal to read the operation card, so that the user is an elderly person or an inexperienced person compared to operating the communication terminal directly. Even if it exists, a communication terminal can be operated easily.
Further, when the optical reading unit of the communication terminal reads the attached card storing the image, the control unit of the communication terminal sets the read image information as transmission contents. If FAX is set as the transmission method read from the operation setting card, the image information is set as a FAX image. If an email is set, it is set as an attached file. Therefore, even if the user is an elderly person or an immature person, the image information can be easily transmitted by FAX or e-mail.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional code can be efficiently read by reading the two-dimensional code with the one-dimensional image sensor while conveying the operation card with the conveying unit.
In addition, since an image is recorded on the attached card in a region other than the recording area of the two-dimensional code, the operation card is transported to the limit point by the transport unit, and is recorded on the image information card by the one-dimensional image sensor. An image can be read reliably.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, various operations can be performed on the communication terminal by changing the type of the operation card read by the communication terminal.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the operation information is restored from the divided operation information read from the plurality of divided two-dimensional codes, the area of one two-dimensional code can be set small. Compared to the case where all the operation information is recorded in one two-dimensional code, the entire area of the two-dimensional code can be suppressed.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the operation information indicated by the two-dimensional code recorded on the operation card can be confirmed by the character information recorded on the operation card, it is excellent in usability .

According to the invention of 請 Motomeko 7, the two-dimensional code stored in the operation card, since the predetermined distance is set in the recording area of the two-dimensional code from the end portion in the transport direction by the transport unit, the intermediate sensor By reading the two-dimensional code with the one-dimensional image sensor while conveying the operation card by the conveyance unit until the detection state is detected, it is possible to prevent information other than the two-dimensional code from being read unnecessarily.

According to the invention of 請 Motomeko 8, when the communication terminal read the operation card, since the operation information prompting the next operation is displayed on the display unit, even users who are not familiar with the operation, ensure The following operations can be performed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when an image is received, a new operation card can be created by printing the received image on the inserted printing card by the printing unit. Even when an operation card cannot be created, a new operation card can be easily obtained.
According to the invention of claim 10 , when information is input through the touch panel, characters and a two-dimensional code are generated and printed on the printing card. Therefore, a user who is used to the operation creates an operation card by himself / herself. Can be used and is excellent in use.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the communication terminal. In FIG. 2, the communication terminal 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 2 and operation keys 3. The liquid crystal display unit 2 includes a touch panel 4 (see FIG. 1), and information can be input by a touch operation with a stylus pen 5 that is detachably attached to the communication terminal 1. The operation keys 3 include a display switching button 6 for displaying a menu screen, an arrow key 7 for selecting a menu from the displayed menu screen, a “select” button 8, a “receive” button 9, and a “send” button. 10. A “print” button 11 and a “cancel” button 12 are provided.

  A card insertion hole 13 is provided on the end face of the communication terminal 1, and a desired operation card is inserted into the card insertion hole 13. This operation card is for giving various operation information to the communication terminal 1 without operating keys, and the communication terminal 1 executes operations related to communication based on the operation information recorded on the operation card. Such a configuration is a characteristic part of the present system.

The communication terminal 1 is connected to a power source, and is connected to a telephone and a telephone line, and is connected so as to be interposed between the telephone and the telephone line. Here, the communication terminal 1 normally connects a telephone and a telephone line, and connects itself and the telephone line as necessary.
The communication terminal 1 incorporates a card reader for reading an operation card. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the card reader. In FIG. 3, the card reading device 14 includes a transport unit 15, an optical reading unit 16, and a printing unit 17. The transport unit 15 includes a drive motor 18, a card drive roller 19 that rotates according to the rotation of the drive motor 18, a pulse generator 20 (see FIG. 1) that generates a pulse according to the rotation of the drive motor 18, and an insertion card. The insertion detection sensor 21, the midpoint detection sensor 22, and the limit detection sensor 23 are sequentially arranged along the traveling direction of the operation card. Accordingly, the detection sensors 21 to 23 are turned on in order. In this case, the intermediate point detection sensor 22 is turned on when the operation card is conveyed by a predetermined distance corresponding to the recording area of the two-dimensional code, and the limit detection sensor 23 is turned on when the operation card is mostly conveyed. .

The optical reading unit 16 includes an illumination light source 24 (see FIG. 1), a mirror 25, an imaging lens 26, and a one-dimensional image sensor 27. The surface of the inserted operation card forms an image on the one-dimensional image sensor 27. To do. The printing unit 17 includes a print head 28 corresponding to the width of the operation card.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the communication terminal 1. In FIG. 1, a control unit 29 reads and reads operation information from an operation card as will be described later by controlling the operation of each circuit constituting the card reading device 14 based on a signal from the card reading device 14. The operation is based on the operation information. In this case, the control unit 29 stores the operation information read from the operation card in the RAM 30 or the F-ROM 31 and displays the operation information on the liquid crystal display unit 2 or controls the telephone line control interface 32 in accordance with a command from the operation key 3. To do. The power supply unit 33 supplies power to each circuit in a state where the voltage from the power supply is converted into a predetermined voltage.

As operation cards read into the communication terminal 1, as shown in FIG. 4, an initial setting card 34, a function setting card 35, an operation setting card 36, an address card 37, a message card 38, an attached card 39, and a printing card 40 are included. It is prepared.
(1) Initial setting card 34... Card set at the start of use of the device (2) Function setting card 35... Card for setting operation conditions and methods for easy use (3) Operation setting card 36... Transmission and reception (4) Address card 37... Card for setting a destination (5) Message card 38... Card that inputs (message: canned text) to be sent, In the case of transmission, no message card is prepared.
(6) Attached card 39 ... A card for inputting an image to be transmitted (7) Printing card 40 ... A card for printing

The contents that can be set by these operation cards are as follows.
(1) Initial setting card 34... Initial setting contents such as own station connection ID / password / own station mail address / own station FAX number, which are mainly necessary items for mail transmission.
(2) Function setting card 35... The function setting includes broadcast transmission presence / absence / method / redial method / automatic reception / reception notification method.
(3) Operation setting card 36... Operation setting includes mail / FAX / destination / CC (Carbon Copy) / new / reply / citation presence / absence (whether or not to include the transmitted text in the reply text).
In these operation cards 34 to 39, a two-dimensional code area and a character area are set. A two-dimensional code 41 for setting the above-described operation information is printed in the two-dimensional code area, and a two-dimensional code is set in the character area. Character information 42 indicating the contents of the operation information recorded as a code is printed. Further, type information 43 indicating the type of card is printed between the two-dimensional code area and the character area.

  By the way, when the operation information is large, the two-dimensional code 41 is composed of a plurality of divided two-dimensional codes 41a indicating divided operation information obtained by dividing the operation information. This is because if one piece of the two-dimensional code 41 is used to indicate all the operation information, the two-dimensional code 41 is a square, and the vertical dimension (the dimension in the insertion direction into the communication terminal 1) increases as the operation information increases. Since the character area indicating the contents of the operation information becomes larger and the operation information is reduced, the divided two-dimensional code 41a indicating the divided operation information obtained by dividing the operation information is printed and arranged in the horizontal direction to adjust the vertical dimension. This is to suppress and secure a sufficient character area.

Note that the two-dimensional code 41 employed in the present embodiment is called a QR code.
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the communication terminal 1, an initial setting card 34, a function setting card 35, and an operation setting card 36 are read in advance, and operation information necessary for sending and receiving e-mails is set in advance by the initial setting card 34. It is assumed that the setting of transmission / reception of e-mail and FAX is set by the function setting card 35 as desired by the user.

When the user wants to transmit information to the transmission destination, the user performs settings necessary for transmission using the operation setting card 36. That is, by reading the operation setting card 36 set as an operation card, whether the transmission is e-mail or FAX, the destination and CC, new or reply, presence / absence of quotation, etc. are set.
<Reading address card>
When the user wants to send an e-mail or FAX to the other party using the communication terminal 1, the address of the other party (e-mail in the case of e-mail) is selected from the address card 37 prepared as an operation card. An address card 37 on which an address or a telephone number in the case of FAX is printed is inserted into the communication terminal 1. In this case, since the mail address or telephone number is printed in the character area of the address card 37, even an elderly person or an unskilled person who is not accustomed to the operation of the personal computer and FAX can easily obtain a desired address card. You can choose.

  When the insertion detection sensor 21 is turned on to detect insertion of a card, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 drives the drive motor 18 and starts drawing the operation card by the card drive roller 19. At this time, image reading by the one-dimensional image sensor 27 of the optical reading unit 16 is started simultaneously with the drawing of the operation card, and the type of the operation card is determined. That is, it is determined whether the operation information indicated by the two-dimensional code is the address card 37, the message card 38, or the attached card 39. In this case, since the operation card is the address card 37, when the intermediate point detection sensor 22 is turned on, the operation card is stopped and the operation information read from the two-dimensional code 41 is decoded. Here, since the two-dimensional code 41 is composed of a plurality of divided two-dimensional codes 41a, the operation information is restored from the divided operation information read from these divided two-dimensional codes 41a, and the destination information in the operation information is restored. Based on the e-mail or FAX, the transmission is set.

Subsequently, when e-mail is set as the transmission method, a message prompting insertion of the message card 38 is displayed at the same time as the operation card is ejected. Accordingly, the user inserts the message card 38 on which a desired message is printed into the communication terminal 1.
<Reading a message card>
When the read operation card is the message card 38, the control unit 29 stops the drawing of the message card 38 when the midpoint detection sensor 22 is turned on, and additionally sets the message in the read operation information to the transmission content. .

  Subsequently, a display requesting confirmation of whether or not to transmit a message to the read transmission destination or whether there is an additional card is performed. Here, when there is an additional message, the user inserts the message card 38 on which the message is printed into the communication terminal 1. Further, when a message printed on the message card 38 is transmitted, the “send” button 10 of the communication terminal 1 is operated.

The control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 ejects the drawn message card 38 when the “Send” button 10 is operated, and reads the message card 38 when the next message card 38 is inserted. Add a message in the information to the transmission contents.
When the “Send” button 10 is operated, the telephone line control interface 32 is controlled to connect the telephone line to itself, and the transmission content is transmitted by the set transmission method. Display and eject the card. In other words, if it is set to send by e-mail, the transmission contents are sent by e-mail using the e-mail transmission protocol (SMTP) after dialing up the telephone number of the contracted Internet provider.

<Reading attached card 39>
On the other hand, when FAX is set as the transmission method, a message prompting insertion of the attached card 39 is displayed. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to transmit a guidance map of the meeting place, the user inserts an attached card 39 as shown in FIG. In addition, when an electronic mail is transmitted as described above, an attached card 39 is inserted into the communication terminal 1 when an attached file is desired to be transmitted.

When the operation information read from the operation card indicates an attached card, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 reads the image data (image) by drawing the operation card until the limit detection sensor 23 is turned on. . In this case, when the transmission method is set to electronic mail, the read image data is added to the transmission content as an attached file. When the transmission method is set to FAX, the image data is set as FAX data.
Therefore, the image data can be easily transmitted to the other party as an attached file of an electronic mail, and the image data can be transmitted to the other party as a FAX.

<Creating operation cards from received images>
The control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 monitors a signal from the telephone line. If the signal is an e-mail transmission or a FAX transmission, the telephone line is controlled by controlling the telephone line control interface 32. Connect, receive e-mail or FAX, and display the received content on the liquid crystal display unit 2. Thereby, FAX can be received easily.

Also, when an e-mail is sent, if the e-mail is stored in the provider's mail server, or if the e-mail is stored in the mail server when the user operates the “receive” button 9 Receive e-mails and display their receipt list.
Here, when a plurality of received mails are displayed, the user selects a desired electronic mail with the arrow keys 7 and operates the “select” button 8. Then, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 displays the selected received content on the screen.

When printing the received contents, the printing card 40 is inserted into the communication terminal 1 and the “print” button 11 is operated. Then, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 prints the received content on the printing card 40 by driving the print head 28 simultaneously with driving the drive motor 18.
As a result of printing the received content in this way, for example, a new operation card can be created by transmission from a remote place, so a new operation card is required for an elderly person whose user is separated from his son. In such a case, a new operation card can be easily created by asking his son who lives far away.

<Card creation with touch panel>
When the user creates a message card by himself / herself, the display switching button 6 of the communication terminal 1 is operated to display an operation menu, and the message card creation which is one of the operation menus is selected by the arrow key 7 Then, the “select” button 8 is operated. Then, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 displays a character input screen on the liquid crystal display unit 2.

  FIG. 5 shows an input screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2. In FIG. 5, the input screen includes a display unit 44, “card image display” button 45, “save data” button 46, “ABC” (alphabet) button 47, “kana” button 48, and “kanji” button 49. , A “conversion” button 50, a “decision” button 51, a “cancel” button 52, a “line feed” button 53, and a tablet 54. The display content of the tablet 54 is switched according to the operation on the “ABC” button 47, “Kana” button 48, and “Kanji” button 49.

The user inputs a desired message by selecting characters displayed on the tablet 54 with the stylus pen 5, and operates the “display card image” button 45 for confirmation when the input is completed. To do. Then, the control unit 29 of the communication terminal 1 displays a message card image instead of the input screen.
If the card image is OK, the printing card 40 is inserted into the communication terminal 1 and the “print” button 11 is operated. As a result, a message card on which a message created by the user and a two-dimensional code indicating the message are printed can be created.

If it is desired to save the message, the “save data” button 46 is operated.
According to such an embodiment, an operation instruction similar to that when the communication terminal 1 is operated is given by causing the communication terminal 1 to read the predetermined operation cards 34 to 39 on which the two-dimensional code 41 is printed. Therefore, even if the user is an elderly person or an inexperienced person who is unfamiliar with the operation of the personal computer or the FAX, an e-mail or FAX can be transmitted with a simple operation.

In addition, since the communication terminal 1 itself has a function of transmitting e-mail or FAX, it differs from the conventional example in which a conversion computer for converting e-mail and FAX must be installed. This can be done without changing the infrastructure.
Further, since the contents indicated by the two-dimensional code 41 are printed on the operation cards 34 to 39 as the character information 42, the recorded contents of the operation card can be directly grasped, and the use is excellent.
In addition, since the amount of pull-in to the communication terminal 1 is adjusted according to the operation cards 34 to 39, useless pull-in is eliminated and reading time can be shortened.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The second embodiment is characterized in that processing for mail or FAX received by the communication terminal 1 is performed by an operation card.
In this embodiment, a reception operation card 55 is prepared as an operation card in addition to the operation card described in the first embodiment. This reception operation card 55 is for setting an operation for the received mail or FAX.
In FIG. 7 showing the communication terminal 1, in the mail or FAX reception state, the display unit 2 of the communication terminal 1 displays the number of received mails and the number of received FAXs.

Now, in order to display a list of received emails and FAX reception subject names, the reception operation card 55 for displaying the list from the reception operation card 55 is read into the communication terminal 1.
Then, since a list of received subject names is displayed on the display unit 2 of the communication terminal 1, a desired received subject name is selected by the arrow key 7, and the “select” button 8 is operated for selection.
If the user wants to display or print the content of the selected reception subject, the communication terminal 1 is caused to read the reception operation card 55 for instructing that. Then, the communication terminal 1 displays or prints the received content of the selected reception subject according to the instruction from the reception operation card 55.

When it is desired to delete the reception subject, the communication terminal 1 is caused to read the reception operation card 55 for deletion with the reception subject to be deleted selected.
According to such an embodiment, an operation for the received mail or FAX can be performed using the reception operation card 55, so that the operation on the communication terminal 1 at the time of reception can be easily performed in addition to the transmission. it can.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Only will be described. In the third embodiment, the communication terminal is provided with a wireless function so as to be configured as a wireless communication terminal and portable.

FIG. 8 shows the wireless communication terminal 61. In FIG. 8, the wireless communication terminal 61 can be separated from the main body 62 and can be connected to the main body 62 by a connector 63. The wireless communication terminal 61 is provided with an antenna 64.
FIG. 9 shows the electrical configuration of the wireless communication terminal 61. In FIG. 9, the wireless communication terminal 61 has a built-in battery 65 to supply power to the internal circuit via the power supply control unit 66, and when the wireless communication terminal 61 is connected to the main body 62, Charging is performed by power supply from the power supply unit 33. The antenna 64 can perform data communication with the mobile phone base station by the wireless communication unit 67.

When the control unit 29 of the wireless communication terminal 61 detects that the wireless communication terminal 61 has been removed from the main body 62, the control unit 29 calls the mobile base station by the wireless communication unit 67 and connects to the provider. Send and receive.
According to such an embodiment, since the wireless communication terminal 61 can be carried in the same manner as a mobile phone, it is possible to send and receive e-mails using the operation cards 34 to 39 even at a place away from home. It becomes possible and is easy to use.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
You may make it print the operation information of a two-dimensional code on the back surface of an operation card.
One two-dimensional code may be recorded, or three or more two-dimensional codes may be recorded.
As the two-dimensional code, a veri code or a maxi code may be used.
A mobile phone may be provided so as to be connectable to the communication terminal, and data may be transmitted / received via the mobile phone.

Schematic showing the overall electrical configuration in the first embodiment of the present invention Overall perspective view The perspective view which shows an optical reading part roughly Diagram showing operation card Figure showing the input screen Figure showing attached card FIG. 2 equivalent diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2 equivalent view showing a third embodiment of the present invention 1 equivalent diagram

Explanation of symbols

1 is a communication terminal, 2 is a liquid crystal display unit, 4 is a touch panel, 15 is a transport unit, 16 is an optical reading unit, 17 is a printing unit, 22 is a midpoint detection sensor, 23 is a limit detection sensor, and 27 is a one-dimensional image sensor. , 29 is a control unit (decoding unit), 34 is an initial setting card (operation card), 35 is a function setting card (operation card), 36 is an operation setting card (operation card), 37 is an address card (operation card), 38 Is a message card (operation card), 39 is an attached card (operation card), 40 is a printing card (operation card), 41 is a two-dimensional code, 41a is a divided two-dimensional code, and 42 is character information.

Claims (10)

A communication system comprising a plurality of operation cards and a communication terminal that operates based on operation information recorded on the operation cards,
The operation card is recorded with a two-dimensional code that optically stores operation information for causing the communication terminal to execute a predetermined operation,
The communication terminal is
An optical reader for optically reading a two-dimensional code stored in the operation card;
A decoding unit for decoding operation information indicated by the two-dimensional code read by the optical reading unit;
A control unit for controlling operations related to communication based on the operation information decoded by the decoding unit ;
The operation card includes an attached card in which an image is recorded outside the recording area of the two-dimensional code,
The control unit of the communication terminal sets the image information read from the attached card by the optical reading unit as transmission contents, and if FAX is set as the transmission method read from the operation setting card, the image information is displayed. A communication system which is set as a FAX image and is set as an attached file when the transmission method is set to e-mail . A communication system comprising a plurality of operation cards and a communication terminal that operates based on operation information recorded on the operation cards,
The operation card is recorded with a two-dimensional code optically storing operation information for causing the communication terminal to execute a predetermined operation,
The communication terminal is
An optical reader for optically reading a two-dimensional code stored in the operation card;
A decoding unit for decoding operation information indicated by the two-dimensional code read by the optical reading unit;
A control unit that controls operations related to communication based on the operation information decoded by the decoding unit;
A transport unit for reading the operation card,
The optical reading unit includes a one-dimensional image sensor that reads the operation card conveyed by the conveyance unit,
The transport unit includes a limit detection sensor that detects that the operation card has been transported to a limit point;
The control unit of the communication terminal reads the two-dimensional code by the one-dimensional image sensor while conveying the operation card by the conveyance unit, and when the operation card is an attached card, the limit detection sensor is in a detection state. The two-dimensional code is read by the one-dimensional image sensor while the operation card is conveyed by the conveyance unit until 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the operation card includes an address card for setting a transmission destination and a message card for inputting contents to be transmitted . The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation card includes an initial setting card for initial setting of the communication terminal and a function setting card for setting operation conditions and an operation method of the communication terminal . The two-dimensional code is composed of a plurality of divided two-dimensional codes in which divided operation information obtained by dividing operation information is recorded,
5. The decoding unit according to claim 1 , wherein when the plurality of pieces of division operation information indicated by the divided two-dimensional code are read from the operation card, the decoding unit restores the operation information from the division operation information . The communication system according to 1. 6. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein character information indicating contents of the operation information recorded as the two-dimensional code is recorded on the operation card . In the operation card, a predetermined distance from the end in the transport direction is set in the recording area of the two-dimensional code,
The transport unit includes an intermediate point detection sensor that detects that the operation card has been transported a predetermined distance;
3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein, when the two-dimensional code is read, the control unit of the communication terminal conveys the operation card by the conveyance unit until the intermediate point detection sensor is in a detection state. . The communication terminal includes a display unit,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the communication terminal displays operation information for prompting a next operation on the display unit . The operation card includes a printing card that is mostly blank,
The communication terminal includes a printing unit that prints on the inserted card for printing,
The control unit of the communication terminal creates a new operation card by printing the received image on the inserted card for printing by the printing unit. Communication system. The operation card includes a printing card that is mostly blank,
The communication terminal is
A printing unit for printing on the printing card;
A touch panel capable of displaying information and inputting information,
The control unit of the communication terminal generates a character and a two-dimensional code based on information input from the touch panel, and creates a new operation card by printing on the inserted printing card with the printing unit. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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