KR20090023735A - Nfc enabled pointing with a mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprises a communication terminal (CT1) which has a near field communication unit (10) for near field communication with a mobile device (MD1) when in range of the near field communication unit (10). An output device (OD1; OD2) is positioned outside the range of the near field communication unit (10) to provide output to a user of the mobile device (MD1). A controller (11) controls the output device (OD1; OD2) to provide the output dependent on an orientation (D1) of the mobile device (MD1).

Description

TECHNICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD AND MOBILE DEVICES

The present invention relates to a system comprising a communication terminal, an output device and a controller. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a communication method.

Recently introduced Near Field Communication (also referred to as NFC) technology has evolved from a combination of contactless identification and access technology. This communication technology provides an easy and intuitive way to connect devices and share data between them by simply placing devices close to each other. By operating only over short distances and not requiring any configuration by the user, NFC is an ideal way to allow consumers to interact with the connected world around them through their mobile phones. NFC is standardized under ECMA-340 (ISO / IEC 18092) and operates at 13.56 MHz. NFC is fully compatible with Philips' MIFAFE and Sony's FeliCa contactless smart card platforms.

NFC is a proximity-based, extremely low-power wireless technology that allows information to be transferred between devices over a few centimeters. Thus, the devices must be intentionally located in close proximity to each other in order to communicate. Transactions are inherently secure because of the short distance between communication devices, but more secure transactions can be guaranteed by combining NFC with a smart card controller such as a SIM card or Philips' SmartMX. As a result, the portable telephone can perform 3-DES encryption, for example.

Known applications of NFC include: tapping two NFC-enabled phones together to start a conference call or exchange phone numbers on the fly, or tap the phone to a DVD of interest to watch a short trailer, or a concert Contacting the post with a phone to store a reminder on the phone or buying a ticket.

However, applications related to NFC are inherently limited because they operate based on proximity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an NFC system in which a mobile device is used but the output provided to the user in response to the NFC operation by the mobile device need not be around the mobile device.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system as claimed in claim 1. A second aspect of the invention provides a method as claimed in claim 16. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The system according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a communication terminal having a near field communication unit for near field communication with the mobile device when the mobile device is within the range of the near field communication unit. Typically, the range in which the mobile device and the near field communication unit can communicate is less than 20 cm. The system further includes an output device located outside the range of the near field communication unit. Thus, the distance between the communication terminal and the output device is relatively far. Mobile devices that are close enough to the communication terminal to start NFC are too far from the output device and the output device to start NFC. Usually, in fact, you do not need an output device with NFC capability. The output device provides an output to a user of the mobile device and the controller controls the output device to provide an output that depends on the orientation of the mobile device. For example, the output device can present visual and / or audio feedback to the user.

In this system, a mobile device, usually operated by a user by holding it in his hand, is moved near the communication terminal so that NFC is started. The freedom to orient the mobile device arbitrarily is used to control the output depending on the orientation of the mobile device. The mobile device is for example a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Such a system is often referred to as a host system.

As such, a mobile device that provides orientation information is known. Bluewand, for example, is a small pen-type device used to control Bluetooth-enabled devices by hand movement. Six-axis accelerometers and gyroscope systems detect the overall orientation and movement of the pen in space. The Bluetooth radio link delivers this data to any coalescing device, which performs the relevant commands. Possible applications include remote control of various consumer electronics, access control for machines and buildings, virtual laser pointers and mobile games.

In the embodiment as claimed in claim 2, the output device is a display device for displaying display information as displayed information. The information displayed should be displayed on the screen of the display device. In contrast, the information displayed must be displayed on a projection screen or wall. The display information can be an image, film or any other virtual information. The controller receives via the communication terminal orientation information about the orientation of the mobile device. For example, the orientation information can be the direction or azimuth of the mobile device, the tilt angle in one or more dimensions, the rotation, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the orientation information can be, for example, raw data representing the orientation of the mobile device with respect to the earth's surface, and the controller can now process this raw data to obtain the orientation of the mobile device.

The controller generates a visual indicator that indicates a position in the displayed information that depends on the orientation of the mobile device. For example, a marker displayed by changing the orientation of the mobile device or by fixing the mobile device to a specific orientation is displayed at a location within the display. Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device can select a particular area within the display information. This selection is made visible to the user, for example by highlighting the area. This emphasis may be, for example, an increase in brightness, a color change, a line around the area, or any other way of indicating to the user a location in the displayed information that corresponds to the actual orientation of the mobile device.

In the embodiment described in claim 3, the visible indicator indicates the position in the displayed information defined by the pointing direction of the mobile device with respect to the particular area of the displayed information. Now, a mobile device with a pointing direction points to the displayed information, which is the most intuitive way of indicating the location on the displayed information using the orientation of the mobile device. Usually, the mobile device is configured to clearly indicate to the user what his pointing direction is. For example, the moving device can have an elongated shape with a pointing axis.

In an embodiment as set forth in claim 4, the controller assigns to this mobile device a visible indicator having an appearance selected to be uniquely distinguished from an additional visible indicator associated with another mobile device communicating with a communication terminal or another communication terminal of the system. Retrieve the personal identifier of the mobile device. The assignment of different indicators for different mobile devices allows different users to communicate with the system at the same time. Each user has a specific indicator that the user can recognize. If the indicator is a marker, the shape and / or color of the marker may be different. If the indicator is an emphasis of a particular area representing a button, for example, different colors may be used for different users.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 5, the output device is a sound transducer, for example a loudspeaker. The controller receives information about the orientation of the mobile device through the communication terminal. The controller activates the sound transducer depending on the orientation of the mobile device.

In the embodiment described in claim 6, the sound transducer is activated when the mobile device points to the sound transducer. For example, a history indicating what is displayed is started by pointing in a loudspeaker for a predetermined period of time. The loudspeaker may be placed next to the displayed information such that the sound is automatically associated with the displayed information. Alternatively, the loudspeaker may be part of the headphones.

Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device can be used to control the illumination. For example, the orientation of the mobile device can be used to dim the lamp or to control the color of the lamp. For example, in solid state lighting, the color of the LED lamp or pixelated wall may be adjusted. In a pixelated wall, the pointed position may be indicated by blinking of the LED or by color change of the LED. Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device can be used to control the volume / pitch / balance of sound, the intensity / color of light (or pixels), the room temperature, the zoom function of the camera, or any other amount. This amount can be controlled by 1D rotation around the pointing axis of the mobile device.

In yet another embodiment, the output device is a user interface. Information from the system, called the user interface, is transmitted to the mobile device and displayed to the user on the output element of the mobile device itself. Such an output element is for example a display. In one application, the user interface is a screen with a name or option. More detailed information related to the name or option is sent to the mobile device and displayed on the display. As a result, the user can read the information more appropriately. This may be beneficial for the disabled or the elderly, but may also be relatively advantageous during evening and night environments. The display will increase the light to make it look correct. In one preferred variant of this, the list of names allows the user to select one of the names to establish a wireless connection, such as a telephone call. The user may request to open a door adjacent to the user interface or may request other information.

In another application, operation will be initiated through selection of a user interface. This result will be shown on the output element of the mobile device. This may be a telephone call from the information desk to the mobile device. This may be more detailed information about the process for finding a selected location within the office. In another application, the user interface may be a security feature. For example, after identification via the NFC protocol, the user may be asked to point to the selected area using his mobile device.

In the embodiment as claimed in claim 7, after the communication with the near field communication unit is established, the controller determines the pointing direction of the mobile device based on the position of the near field communication unit and the orientation of the mobile device. The (relative) location of the communication terminal and the output device is defined by the system and thus known. The position of the mobile device relative to the output device is known since at least at the beginning of the communication the mobile device must be arranged near the communication terminal. Thus, it is not necessary to know the location of the mobile device, and it is sufficient to know its angle with respect to the surface of the ground or the earth's magnetic field or the earth's gravity field or a combination thereof. This embodiment has the advantage that the mobile device does not have to sense its location or communicate its location to the communication terminal.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 8, the hose system further comprises an additional communication unit for communicating with the mobile device. The range of this additional communication unit is greater than that of the near field communication unit. This additional communication unit can provide Bluetooth, WIFI or any other wireless communication over a greater distance than NFC can perform. This has the advantage that after NFC communication is initiated, the communication between the mobile device and the host system can be performed by a larger range of communication and thus the user can move more freely. It seems cumbersome for the user to keep the mobile device for a long time in the immediate neighborhood of the communication terminal to maintain NFC. People tend to move their arms to a stationary position after NFC is initiated. Communication is now maintained by additional communication units. This additional communication unit may or may not be located within the communication terminal. A single additional communication unit can be used to support multiple NFC communication terminals.

Longer range communication may be established after it is detected that NFC is no longer possible. However, this may have the disadvantage that communication is interrupted.

In the embodiment described in claim 9, the controller switches the communication between the host system and the mobile device from the near field communication unit to the further communication unit after the near field communication is established. Thus, at least during the start of NFC, the mobile device needs to be close enough to the communication terminal. When communication begins, a longer range of communication performs NFC. Thus, longer range communications perform NFC almost immediately after NFC is started. Thus, even when the mobile device is far from the communication terminal and NFC is no longer possible, communication continues because it is already active through a longer range of communication units.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 10, the controller monitors the average orientation of the mobile device while changing the position of the mobile device while pointing the output device. For example, if the user moves the mobile device away from the communication terminal while still pointing to the same area of the displayed image, the user is considered to be pointing to the same location of the displayed image. Therefore, it is possible to correct the changed orientation of the mobile device due to the position change. This monitoring mode can be activated if it is detected that NFC is no longer possible.

In one embodiment, the mobile device includes an electronic compass as an orientation sensor indicating the orientation of the mobile device. An example of such an electronic compass is Heoneywell's "TruePoint Compass Module" in California, USA. A description of this electronic compass can be found on Honeywell's website. The TruePoint Compass Module is a precise three axis digital compass module that can be used in any orientation. Data from three silicon magnetometers and three accelerometers are combined to provide a compass azimuth, piece and rotation angle. Thus, such a compass is well suited for providing orientation information. Another example of such an electronic compass includes the three-dimensional accelerometer and two-dimensional magnetic field disclosed in PCT / IB2006 / 051314 (PH000613) and PCT / IB2006 / 051317 (PH000319). The fact that the magnetic field does not need to be a three-dimensional sensor, but the fact that it can be a two-dimensional sensor is a big advantage due to the fact that two-dimensional magnetic field sensors can be manufactured more easily and at a lower cost, more durable and have a smaller size. to be.

These and other aspects of the invention will be described with reference to the embodiments described below.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a mobile device suitable for use in the system of claim 1. According to the invention, a mobile device comprises means for near field communication with a near field communication unit. The mobile device further includes an electronic compass indicating the orientation of the mobile device. The electronic compass is calibrated with the help of location data obtained from the near field communication unit. This adjustment can be accomplished by a controller in the system. In the following, information about the user may be provided on any output device of the mobile device itself. The user can transmit information to the system via any input means of his mobile device. This information is preferably communicated between the communication terminal and the mobile device using another communication protocol such as W-LAN, Bluetooth or the like.

1 schematically illustrates a configuration for controlling an output device to provide an output that depends on the orientation of the mobile device, including a communication terminal suitable for NFC and a mobile device in communication with the communication terminal;

2 is a block diagram of a mobile device and a communication terminal.

Items having the same reference numeral in different drawings have the same structural features and the same function or are the same signal. The functions and / or structures of these items, if described, need not be repeated about them in the detailed description.

1 schematically illustrates a configuration for controlling an output device to provide an output that depends on the orientation of the mobile device, including a communication terminal compliant with NFC and a mobile device in communication with the communication terminal. The illustrated system includes three communication terminals CT1, CT2, and CT3. In the example shown, the output device includes a display device OD1 having a display screen on which display information DI1 is displayed, a projector (not shown) that projects the display information DI2 to a wall of the room, and two speakers ( OD2, OD3). Alternatively, the display can be formed by a video-wall containing several display screens or by a projector that together produces a large image. For example, the display information can be sales items, advertisements, music playlists, voting, game inputs, and museum information. The mobile devices MD1, MD2, MD3 are in NFC (near field communication) relationship with the communication terminals CT1, CT2, CT3, respectively. The first system includes communication terminals CT1, CT2 and CT3 and output devices OD1, OD2 and OD3. The second system includes a communication terminal CT3 and a projector. In both systems, the relative positions of the communication terminals CT1 to CT3 and the output devices OD1 to OD3 and the positions of the displayed information DI1 and DI2 are known.

In the first system, the first user holding the mobile device MD1 points using the mobile device with respect to the position on the screen of the display device OD1 indicated by the marker 30. Since the mobile devices MD1, MD2 are adjacent to the communication terminals CT1, CT2, respectively, their positions with respect to the displayed information DI1 are well known. It is sufficient to communicate the orientation of the mobile devices MD1, MD2 to the communication terminals CT1, CT2, respectively. From the communicated orientation and assumed position of the mobile devices MD1, MD2, the communication terminals CT1, CT2 can determine where the mobile devices MD1, MD2 are pointing. The communication terminals CT1 and CT2 insert the markers 30 and 31 in the display information DI (see FIG. 2) to display the markers at the information DI1 displayed at respective positions pointed to by the mobile devices MD1 and MD2. Display (30, 31).

These markers 30 and 31 are used as feedback to the user about where the user points. Certain actions may be taken, for example, by pointing to the same area longer than a predetermined period of time. For example, if the marker is in a button being displayed, the action defined by this button will be performed. Alternatively, the user may indicate that an operation related to the pointed area should be performed by pressing a button on the mobile device MD1.

In the same way, the user may point mobile device MD1 to one of loudspeakers OD2 and OD3 to indicate that sound should be started or playback should be stopped.

It is not essential that each of the two mobile devices MD1, MD2 communicate with their respective communication terminals CT1, CT2 at different locations. Two or more NFC transceivers may be present in the same communication terminal CT1, or two or more mobile devices MD1, MD2 may be close enough to a single NFC transceiver and thus perform NFC with a single communication terminal CT1. have. A single communication terminal CT1 can interact with multiple output devices.

Although very intuitive, it is not necessary for the mobile device MD1 to point to the position where the marker should be inserted. For example, when establishing NFC, the marker must be in a predetermined position on the screen, regardless of the orientation of the mobile device MD1. Any change in the orientation of the mobile device MD1 relative to the orientation when NFC is established will move the marker in the indicated direction.

In the second system, the projector projects the display information DI2 representing the buttons B1 to B4. The communication terminal CT3 determines the position pointed to by the mobile device MD3 and if the position pointed to by the mobile device MD3 is within the area covered by one of these buttons B1 to B4, the buttons B1 to B4. ). Again, although very intuitive, it is not necessary for the mobile device MD3 to point to where the button should be highlighted. For example, when establishing NFC, button B1 is highlighted regardless of the orientation of mobile device MD1. All changes in the orientation of the moving device MD3 will be understood as starting from the center of the button B1.

2 is a block diagram of a mobile device and a host system. The mobile device MD1 includes a near field communication unit 20, a communication unit 21, an orientation sensor 22, and a personal identifier store 23. The host system HS includes a short range communication unit 10, a communication unit 12, and a controller 11. Although the near field communication unit 10, the communication unit 12, and the controller 11 are shown as being physically located in the communication terminal CT1 in FIG. 2, the controller 11 and / or the communication unit 12 are shown. Other configurations that are not physically located in the communication terminal CT1 are possible. As shown in FIG. 1, the host system may support multiple short-range communication units 10 located in the same communication terminal CT1 or in different communication terminals CT1, CT2, and CT3. The single communication unit 12 and the single controller 11 are deemed sufficient to enable the host system to communicate with different mobile telephones that can log on to the host system, but this is not necessarily the case.

The near field communication unit 20 of the mobile device MD1, which is a mobile phone or PDA, for example, provides a near field communication path CP1 with the near field communication unit 10 of the communication terminal CT1. Usually, the near field communication path CP1 is automatically activated when the mobile device MD1 moves sufficiently close to the end of communication so that both elements are within range of the near field communication with each other. Usually, this relatively short short range is a few centimeters, for example 20 cm. Optionally, the mobile device MD1 can comprise a longer range of communication units 21. This communication unit 21 together with the optional communication unit 12 in the communication terminal CT1 provides a communication path CP2 having a range longer than the communication path CP1. A further advantage of the longer range communication path CP2 is that if communication is initiated by simply moving the mobile device MD1 close enough to the communication terminal CT1 via the near field communication path CP1, the communication is carried out. Even if the MD1 moves out of the short range communication range, it may be maintained through the communication path CP2. For example, the communication path CP2 may be provided according to the Bluetooth or WiFi standard. However, any wireless communication protocol can be implemented.

The orientation sensor 22 provides orientation information SD for the orientation of the mobile device MD1 with respect to the relatively short range of near field communication unit 20 and / or the longer range of communication unit 21. This orientation information SD can be provided in a number of ways. For example, horizontal and / or vertical tilt may be provided, or a vector defined by three values in an orthogonal system with respect to the earth's gravity and magnetic field may be provided. The combination of azimuth and elevation information allows pointing with two degrees of freedom on a display, for example represented by a two-dimensional X-Y coordinate frame. The orientation information SD may be raw or averaged sensor data. It is sufficient for the mobile device MD1 to supply only the orientation information, and it is not necessary for the orientation information SD to provide the position of the mobile device MD1. The location is implicitly known when initiating near field communication.

Optional personal identifier storage 23 stores a unique identifier PI that uniquely identifies mobile device MD1. By transmitting this unique identifier PI to the host system via the short range communication path CP1 and / or the communication path CP2, the host system knows the mobile device MD1 with which it communicates.

The short range communication unit 10 supplies the received orientation information OI1 to the controller 11. The longer range communication unit 12 supplies the received orientation information OI2 to the controller 11. Usually, the received orientation information OI1, OI2 is the same as the orientation information SD. However, the received orientation information OI1, OI2 may be a coded version of orientation information SD to be decoded by the controller 11. Coding of the orientation information may be necessary for optimal communication over the communication paths CP1 and CP2. Depending on the mode of use of the mobile device MD1, either the communication unit 10 or the communication unit 12 may be activated, or both the communication units 10, 12 may be activated. During start-up, when the mobile device MD1 intends to perform short-range communication with the communication terminal CT1, the short-range communication unit 10 must be activated until the short-range communication path CP1 is activated. The communication units 12 and 21 can then be activated to perform communication. The communication units 12 and 21 can be activated only when the signal strength in the short range communication path CP1 is below a predetermined value or when the mobile device MD1 is detected as being out of the short range communication range due to the breakage of the communication path. have. The controller 11 controls the on / off switching of the communication units 10 and 12 using the control signals CS1 and CS2, respectively. NFC authenticates the mobile device or virtually the mobile device user, after which a unique, preferably secure data connection, for example a Bluetooth connection, is established. Alternatively, NFC unit 10 may be continuously activated to be able to detect any approaching mobile device MD1.

The controller 11 generates display information DI, which is supplied to the output device OD1 displaying the display information, as the displayed information DI1. For example, the display information DI1 may be a computer generated image or a photograph or film.

The controller 11 uses the received orientation information OI1 or OI2 to identify the pointing position indicated by the mobile device MD1. For example, the identification of the pointing position may be the marker 30 at the position in the displayed information DI1. For example, if the image is in the form of an animal group, the user manipulates the orientation of the mobile device MD1 so that the marker 30 is positioned on the animal that the user wants to have more information. If the marker 30 is kept longer than a predetermined period of time for this animal, the next image is shown which provides more details about this animal. Instead of keeping the marker 30 for the same object for a predetermined time, the mobile device MD1 may have a user selector, such as a button, indicating that the predetermined object is selected when activated by the user. . Alternatively, the image may have a predefined area, such as a button, which is detected when the mobile device is detected from the received orientation information OI1, OI2 that the mobile device remains in an orientation representing one of the predefined areas. Is emphasized by (11).

In an intuitive embodiment, the mobile device MD1 has an elongated form with an axis defined as the pointing direction of the mobile device MD1. The position pointed in the displayed information DI1 is the intersection of the axis and the displayed information DI1.

In another configuration, the controller 11 of the host system only provides a location in the displayed information DI1 that is pointed to by the mobile device MD1. The indication CS3 of this position in the displayed information DI1 is performed at the output device OD1, for example. In this configuration, the controller 11 does not need to supply the displayed information.

The system can operate according to the following three step protocol.

In the first step, the user initiates the log-on protocol by keeping the mobile device MD1 adjacent to the NFC unit 10 of the communication terminal CT1. The host system authenticates the user of the mobile device via the user's mobile device MD1, which is a mobile phone, for example. During this authentication phase, the communication terminal initiates a secure and unique communication path CP2 between the communication terminal CT1 and the mobile device MD1. User interaction may be required during authentication, for example it may be necessary to enter a password or user number. When the user is logged on, the communication terminal retrieves the necessary information from the data collected in the mobile device MD1 or stored in the communication terminal or retrieved from, for example, the Internet, for example, in the case of a sales item, to be charged, displayed information ( Additional options such as personalization of DI1) are possible.

In an optional second step, the communication path may be changed from the NFC CP1 path to a longer range communication path CP2. This movement from NFC to Bluetooth communication, for example, can be performed seamlessly to the user. The user need not be actively involved in this communication path movement.

In a third step, the pointing function is activated. The electronic compass may include a 2D sensor and remain horizontal to obtain accurate horizontal or azimuth information, or provide azimuth-compensated 3D sensor to provide azimuth and altitude information. From the known positions of, assume that the location of mobile device MD1 is the same as the location of communication terminal CT1. The mobile device may further comprise a GPS receiver to determine its location. This may be the case, for example, if the location of the communication terminal CT1 is unknown in the system or if the mobile device MD1 moves away from the communication terminal CT1 and the high accuracy of the actual location of the mobile device MD1 is involved. Particularly suitable for In order to improve the correct positioning of the mobile device MD1, an extra indication is provided to the user, for example on the floor, for example, the communication terminal CT1 where the user should hold the mobile device MD1. This can be clarified by a marked area close to). Alternatively, the position of the mobile device MD1 can be estimated by the system by monitoring the average pointing direction during the movement of the mobile device MD1 while pointing substantially the same position, area or output device. However, if the user desires a change between the output devices, for example a change from the first output device to the second output device, this should be detected by the system, but otherwise the change in the orientation of the mobile device MD1 Can still be interpreted as a change in the pointed position within the first output device. This automatic detection can be obtained when the user establishes an NFC link by keeping his mobile device MD1 near the communication terminals CT1, CT2, CT3. Alternatively, the user may indicate this event by activating a particular user input, such as a button. Monitoring of the (moving) average pointing direction is effective only for a single output device, or in more relaxed conditions, only for an ensemble of output devices that are not spatially connected over a limited solid angle. In this case, the host system provides a pointer function for a number of output devices. One example may be the collection of displays on a wall, such that a user can roam seamlessly across different displays while pointing to his mobile phone, including the concept of monitoring the average pointing direction.

The user can interact with the output device OD1 by pointing to the output device OD1 in the system. When the output device provides the displayed information DI1, the pointed position can be visualized. The button of the mobile device MD1 can be used as the click function. Alternatively, the tilt or rotation around the pointing axis of the mobile device MD1 can be used as an analog or digital input. The pointing function need not be limited to a single output device OD1, but may have spatial coverage including multiple output devices OD1, OD2, OD3.

The location of the components of the system must be known. All positional information may be predefined by the controller 11 in the system adjustment step or may be input to the controller 11. Preferably, the location information is stored in a database format in the controller 11. The pointed output device, or the pointed area of the output device, can be calculated using a collection of position information of the components of the system, the assumed or actual position of the mobile device MD1, and the orientation of the mobile device MD1. .

Alternatively, the adjustment procedure can be performed using a dedicated pointing device from at least one reference position to fill or update the database of the adjusted pointing direction of the output devices OD1 to OD3 via the pointing device as the origin. The combination of at least two reference positions of the pointing device and the corresponding pointing direction allows the system to calculate the 3D position of the output devices OD1 to OD3 relative to the pointing device using trigonometric or polygonal principles. Since the initial user location is implicitly provided by the location of the NFC terminal CT1 when the user logs on, no further adjustment by the user is required during log on.

The use of mobile device MD1 with a pointer function has the advantage that a user can select between several items of information DI1 displayed by a single NFC terminal CT1. Pointing methods are easier to use than entering numbers. However, the number input may be provided at the same time for mobile device MD1 which does not have a pointing function, for example. The pointing function allows for a more flexible design of the system because the displayed information OD1 can point to the displayed information without having to contact the display area in close proximity. Furthermore, as the distance between the area where the displayed information OD1 is displayed and the user increases, only the communication terminal CT1 needs to be protected from destruction.

The foregoing embodiments are described by way of example and not by way of limitation, and those skilled in the art will be able to design many other embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The use of the verb "comprising" and its use does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those described in a claim. An element expressed in "a" does not exclude a plurality of such elements. The present invention can be implemented through hardware that includes several distinct elements and also through a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied in the same hardware item. The simple fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used.

Claims (17)

The communication terminal CT1 provided with the near field communication unit 10 for near field communication with the mobile device MD1 when the mobile device MD1 is within a range of a near field communication unit 10. Wow, Output devices OD1 and OD2 arranged outside the short range communication unit 10 to provide an output to a user of the mobile device MD1; A controller 11 for controlling the output devices OD1, OD2 to provide the output depending on the orientation D1 of the mobile device MD1. system. The method of claim 1, The output devices OD1 and OD2 are display devices OD1 for displaying the display information DI as the displayed information DI1. The controller 11 receives the doubling information SD of the orientation D1 of the mobile device MD1 through the communication terminal CT1, and transmits to the orientation D1 of the mobile device MD1. To generate a visual indicator 30 indicating a position in the displayed information DI1 that depends. system. The method of claim 2, The visible indicator 30 represents a position in the displayed information DI1 defined by the pointing direction D1 of the mobile device MD1 with respect to a particular area of the displayed information. system. The method of claim 2 or 3, The controller 11 retrieves the personal identifier PI of the mobile device MD1 and communicates with another mobile device MD2 that communicates with the communication terminal CT1 or another communication terminal CT2 of the system. Assigning the visible indicator 30 having an appearance so as to be uniquely distinguished from the associated additional visible indicator 31. system. The method of claim 1, The output devices OD1, OD2 are sound transducers OD2, and the controller 11 receives information about the orientation D1 of the mobile device MD1 from the communication terminal CT1. And activate the sound transducer OD2 depending on the orientation of the mobile device MD1. system. The method of claim 4, wherein The controller 11 switches on or off the sound transducer OD2 when the mobile device MD1 points to the sound transducer OD2. system. The method according to claim 3 or 6, wherein The controller 11 is pointing direction of the mobile device MD1 when communication is established with the local area communication unit 10 based on the position of the local area communication unit 10 and the orientation of the mobile device MD1. To determine (D1) system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Further comprising an additional communication unit 12 in communication with the mobile device MD1, wherein the range of the additional communication unit 12 is greater than the range of the near field communication unit 10. system. The method of claim 8, The controller 11 switches the communication with the mobile device MD1 from the short range communication unit 10 to the additional communication unit 12 after the short range communication is established. system. The method of claim 9, The controller 11 monitors the average orientation or the pointing direction of the mobile device MD1 while changing the position of the mobile device MD1 while pointing the output device OD1. To estimate change location system. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The mobile device MD1 further includes a near field communication unit 20 for near field communication with the near field communication unit 10 of the communication terminal CT1. system. The method of claim 11, wherein The mobile device MD1 further includes an additional communication unit 21 for communication with the additional communication unit 12, wherein the range of the additional communication unit 21 of the mobile device MD1 is the mobile device. Greater than the range of the near field communication unit 20 of MD1 system. The method according to claim 11 or 12, The moving device MD1 includes an orientation sensor 22 indicating the orientation D1 of the moving device MD1. system. The method of claim 13, The orientation sensor 22 is an electronic compass system. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, The mobile device is a mobile phone or PDA or includes the mobile phone or the PDA. system. When the mobile device MD1 is within the range of the near field communication unit 10, the communication terminal CT1 including the near field communication unit 10 for performing near field communication with the mobile device MD1, and the near field communication unit A communication method in a system including an output device OD1 disposed outside the range of 10 to provide an output to a user of the mobile device MD1. Controlling (11) the output device (OD1) to provide the output depending on the orientation of the mobile device (MD1). Communication method. In the mobile device used in the system of claim 1, Means for short-range communication with the short-range communication unit when within the range of the short-range communication unit of the communication terminal; An orientation sensor indicative of the orientation of the mobile device; Moving device.

Images