JP2000032154A - Radio communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a cable which connects a portable terminal (a personal computer: PC) and a PHS and to suppress a physical damage to a card slot of the PC. SOLUTION: A module 10 is made freely detachable from a module 11, the module 10 is equipped with PHS function control software, system control software, an application program, a PC memory, a PHS memory, and a card interface 12, is installed inside a PCMCIA slot 2 of the PC and the same function as a conventional PC card is enabled. The module 11 is equipped with human interface control software, a radio module, a speaker 13, a microphone 14, a display module 15, an infrared ray interface module 16 and a power source 20. The module 10 is installed to the module 11, is made to function as a PHS and data transmission/reception with the PC is enabled by the infrared ray interface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly relates to a radio communication unit usable in combination with a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Miniaturization of portable information communication devices such as portable telephones, PHSs, and business radios is progressing. For example, recently, the size of PHS telephones on the market has been reduced to about 50 cc in volume and about 60 g in weight, which is almost the limit as a communication tool used in accordance with human ears and mouth.

Hereinafter, the problem caused by such miniaturization will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Recently, the number of users has exploded in personal computers (hereinafter abbreviated as PC).
One user is using these portable communication devices as an information transmission interface. For example, high-speed data transmission / reception using a 32 kbits / s digital bearer of a PHS telephone, or a mobile telephone or a PHS telephone equipped with a function for connecting to the Internet, or an interface component or a card for connecting the PC to the PHS telephone. Are sold. For such an application, a so-called PCMCIA slot 2, which has a configuration as shown in FIG.
A so-called PC card 3 is inserted, and a module serving as an entrance to the wireless transmission path is connected to the end. Specifically, this module is a telephone (PHS telephone or portable telephone) 4 or a wireless LAN unit (for example, a product conforming to the standard defined by IEEE 802.11. Radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band are used. )
Are connected to the PC card 3 by the cord 6. In such a configuration, there remain problems such as (1) the code length is limited, the cable length cannot be freely separated from the communication device main body, and (2) the presence of the code and the telephone is troublesome.

In order to solve this problem, a PCM that contains most of the functions of a PHS telephone in a portion outside the slot 2
A PHS telephone 7 partially having the CIA-II shape is realized. In another product based on this idea, the microphone part of the telephone, or the openable and closable microphone part of the telephone, which is called a flip, is detachable so that the PCMCI can be used.
Some of them are used in place of the A-II standard interface module 8. Even with such a compact structure, there were some problems pointed out below.

FIG. 5B shows a schematic cross-sectional shape in which the telephone having the above structure is inserted into the PC 1. The first drawback is that PCMC is often provided in two stages, upper and lower.
If 7 or 8 is inserted into the lower side of the IA slot, the PCMCIA-II standard PC card in the upper slot cannot be freely inserted and removed, and the cable for the upper PC card cannot be freely connected. PCs with slots 2 arranged side by side are also on sale. In this case, the user has to feel inconvenience and difficulty in the operability of the card ejection button of the card slot provided in the vicinity.) In addition to this, it can easily be inferred from the cross-sectional schematic diagram (FIG. 5B) showing the upper and lower two-stage slot structure, but when the telephone is inserted into the upper slot, the outside of the slot as clearly shown in FIG. Due to the weight of the portion, the physical force of the fulcrum 9 (indicated by a black triangle in the figure) at the back connector terminal must be applied. As is apparent from the drawing, the leverage principle concentrates the bending force not only on the PC card but also on the slot itself near the exit of the slot. PCMCIA-II
It goes without saying that a product in which electronic components are mounted at a high density as described above is weak to physical force. Furthermore, PCs that advocate mobility (so-called mobile) will be used while moving, such as on a train or in the office, and PCMCIA-II
There has been a problem that a large stress is applied to the card itself and the structure of the PC 1 near the mouth of the slot. In order to provide sufficient resistance to this stress, it is necessary to increase the physical strength of both the card and the slot.
Such a problem was accompanied.

[0006] Thus, although it can be said that it has been miniaturized,
Telephones made on the assumption that people use them for calls have various problems and restrictions due to the use of PCs. In short, conventional micro telephones or wireless LAN terminals (in the following description, referred to as micro telephones for the sake of simplicity) are convenient to carry, but at the point of view of the user's data input / output interface. Then, it was hard to say that they had sufficient response.

[0007] Here, the inventors will refer to the invention previously filed. The inventors have previously filed an application for a communication terminal in which an IC card-like device for identifying an individual is inserted into a device having a telephone function. IC for personal information
By providing the card unit, the hardware part of the telephone is shared, and the individual used by the IC card to be attached as necessary can be specified. By adopting such a configuration, if necessary, a specific personal telephone terminal appears by inserting the carried IC card into a telephone to which the IC card can be attached,
You can make and receive calls. Despite such a configuration, transmission data (drawings / videos or audio files created by abundant PC multimedia functions, etc.) that can only be provided by the present invention described below are written in the card in advance. Or, it has not been realized to see the incoming data received in advance when there is enough time or where the support of the multimedia function can be sufficiently received.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a miniature telephone and the like which are indispensable for wirelessly connecting to another network or an in-house LAN. It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure and an operation means which suppresses physical damage to a slot, minimizes restrictions on functions as a telephone, and also realizes system economics.

[0009]

As a first aspect of the present invention, a wireless network (for example, an in-house wireless LAN, P
HS 32 kbits / s Data communication service using digital bearer, communication with similar means using mobile phone and wideband CDMA to be realized soon, or wireless access other than radio waves, for example, IrDA standard wireless access using infrared rays. A possible first communication means is built in the interface module 11, and interface means necessary for data transmission / reception with a PC (IrDA standard infrared communication interface, PCMCIA standard bus interface, SCSI standard bus interface, or IEEE scheduled to be sold soon
It is characterized in that a bus interface of the E1394 standard or an interface of the so-called USB standard) and a protocol for realizing them are built in. Furthermore, in order to realize the function as a telephone, a dial button (also called PB), a power switch, a microphone, a speaker, and an echo canceling system (which can be replaced with a high-performance LSI) for reducing the acoustic coupling are combined. It is characteristic to have. As a matter of course, PB is replaced with PB in order to ease the restriction of PB in miniaturization (PB extremely small than the size of a human finger has operational difficulties such as simultaneous pressing of adjacent buttons). Adoption of a voice recognition function is also one of the embodiments of the present invention. As other components, the present invention includes an antenna (for example, an ultra-small ceramic antenna) serving as an interface with a wireless network, a so-called LED or a photodiode necessary for transmitting and receiving infrared rays, and the like.

One of the major features of the present invention is that
These components can be separated into two modules. This separable structure has the feature of the present invention, and will be described in detail below. The two separable modules 10 and 11 of the present invention have the following main components. This will be described with reference to FIG. In this description, a PHS telephone is described as an example, but it is apparent that a similar configuration can be adopted in a mobile telephone, a wireless LAN terminal, or the like. The card module 10
Software modules for controlling PHS telephone functions (radio unit management module, mobility information management module, call control module, etc.), and system control module for overall control of the entire system (OS or equivalent). System initialization Software including application programs (eg, schedule management, company organization telephone number data, voice recognition program, etc.), control CPUs supporting them, system memory 1 (for storing PC-related data), system memory 2 (for storing PHS-related data), a security module, a PC card interface (including a card interface having 64 pins), a recording / playback data (including a digital voice waveform) recording module, and the like. In short, it consists of a system for storing terminal specific information and a management system for managing it.

The interface module 11 is software (so-called various driver software, which controls various interfaces (hereinafter abbreviated as human interface) when a user uses this module.
Software for display / sound quality control / sound capture control, etc.
Including button input compatible software, recording / playback control software, LCD display control software, wireless module (antenna, channel codec, voice codec, line interface, LCD display module (so-called liquid crystal screen), speaker, microphone,
It is composed of an infrared interface module (in addition to a configuration capable of transmitting and receiving, there may be a configuration of only a receiving unit advantageous for weight reduction and economy), a battery / power supply module, and the like. In short, it consists of a system for presenting / displaying information when a person uses it, or inputting / outputting information. It should be noted that, in these configurations, it is apparent that a configuration in which a part of the functions are provided in another module is also effective without departing from the economy and the spirit of the present invention. A configuration in which non-essential components such as a recording / reproducing function and a voice recognition function are deleted is also possible.

[0012] If the action above-described configuration, use coalescing two modules, or, by the usual telephone or a PC card used in isolation can provide realizing difficult features to users is there. First, when the card module 10 and the interface module 11 are separated, the following effects are obtained. The card module 10 is used independently of the PC P
Various data can be transmitted and received by inserting it into the CMCIA slot. Broadly speaking, it behaves like a so-called PCMCIA standard flash memory card. This card module is fundamentally different from
One feature of the S function control software is that access from a normal PC interface is disabled by applying a systematic guard. This is the so-called Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Examination Association: J
ATE and Radio Equipment Inspection and Certification Association: Measures to prevent general users from rewriting contents that have been certified as conforming to MKK technical standards. If you use a predetermined interface before applying for these certifications, there is no doubt that these data are rewritable (this procedure will not be disclosed to general users). Thus, it is possible to prevent the technical standards and the terminal standards of the PHS telephone from being damaged. On the other hand, various application programs and databases can be stored in the PC memory in the card module 10.

In a state where the card is inserted into a card slot, a large amount of data can be transferred / read / erased at high speed via a so-called card bus. For this reason, for example, the telephone numbers of an organization and an employee of a certain company are recorded, and the stored voice recognition software is activated, and the telephone number is displayed by uttering a person's name or an organization name. Operation becomes possible. Of course, it is possible to make a dial call in the procedure described later. In addition, by incorporating a module for performing encryption / decryption processing that is indispensable for improving security, data access from a PC can be limited to a specific user. It is apparent that this has the effect of making it impossible to easily read out the internal organization or personal telephone number even if the card module 10 is stolen or lost. Furthermore, there is no problem of stress deformation of the card slot due to the weight of the part for realizing the telephone function, which was pointed out in the description of the conventional technology. In the above description, the PCMCIA interface has been used as an example. However, it is argued that data can be exchanged, written, or read in accordance with the various interfaces mentioned above. Don't wait.

Next, the effect of using the two modules in combination will be described. Interface module 11
Has a speaker, a microphone, an echo canceller for functioning these without interference, an LCD display module, and the like, and provides a user with functions and services such as a telephone and an electronic memo. Regarding the telephone function, a wireless module including an antenna is a component, and includes a channel codec and a voice codec for handling digital data. Two modules 10 and 1
When 1 is combined, it becomes difficult to insert the PC into the card slot, but the following configuration does not cause an obstacle. First, data transmission / reception from a PC can be performed via an IrDA interface built in the interface module 11. The current transmission rate of the IrDA interface is expected to be about 100 Mbits / s, and there is little restriction on the data transmission rate. Also,
The IrDA interface of the PC is often provided on the back surface, and a number of card modules 10 and interface modules 11 combined with the embodiments of the present invention are arranged near the IrDA interface so that a large number of data can be written at one time. Looking at this type of interface component,
As can be seen, the transmitter of IrDA is a relatively expensive LE.
D and a control circuit are required. On the other hand, the light receiving section
Appropriate reverse bias is applied to the photodiode,
A simple configuration for detecting the current flowing through the PIN diode can be adopted. That is, in an application example of the present invention in which the cost performance needs to be improved, there may be a configuration in which only the light receiving unit is used.

Now, a major feature of the configuration of the present invention will be described. In recent mobile PCs, there is a great need for whether or not there is an incoming e-mail to the user, or to send out an e-mail of a created document. In either case,
The time connected to the network only needs to be the time required for sending and receiving data, which is a few minutes even if a large number of mails are sent and received. It may be asserted that the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 5 for these minutes has impaired the portability of the mobile PC. With the configuration according to the present invention, mail transmission / reception in a light mobile PC as described below can be realized. That is, in the configuration of FIG.
Only the card module 10 is inserted into the card slot of the PC, and the necessary mail destination and document are created. The created mail document is stored in the PC memory unit inside the card module, and the destination information is stored in the PHS memory unit. Thereafter, the card module 10 is pulled out, and the interface module 11 is removed at a convenient time.
Attach to When it is attached, it has a communication function as a whole, and can send out e-mail based on the stored information. In this state, an e-mail is received. If the message is a simple message, the contents are checked on the LCD display unit, and the e-mail with a large amount of data attached with drawings is removed from the interface module 11 at a convenient time. Can be inserted into the card slot of the PC and confirmed on a large screen of the PC. It is clear that the usability of the mobile PC is greatly improved by adopting a structure in which the card module and the interface module can be separated as described above.

In addition, the product to which the present invention is applied can be used as a normal PHS phone, a mobile phone or a wireless LAN terminal. Is removed, the interface module 11 can be shared.
This is an interface module 1 with a built-in battery, etc.
It also leads to effective use of 1. Let's try a simple model calculation. Suppose that all 100 employees have terminals in a business office that works three shifts. In the conventional structure, several hundreds
is necessary. In contrast, in the application example of the present invention,
Although 100 card modules 10 are required, the number of interface modules 11 may be approximately half. The actual number of simultaneous operations is about 34 pieces, and about 50 pieces when adding about 15 pieces during maintenance and charging of the battery to about 50 pieces. In addition to the reduction in the number of system components, in the case of the present invention, it is apparent that there is no problem such as an operation failure due to battery exhaustion or a waiting for incoming call during charging, which tends to occur in a conventional portable communication terminal.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the unit according to the present invention is roughly classified into a card module 10 having a shape insertable into a slot 2 of the PC1 so-called PCMCIA-II standard, and an interface module 11 which realizes a function as a portable terminal when combined with the card module 10. it can. These card module 10 and interface module 11 are shown in FIG.
Each hardware and software shown in (1) are built in. The card module 10 is, of course, P
It has an interface connector 12 for ensuring electrical contact with C1 or the interface module 11. In this case, the card module 10 side has a so-called female structure, and the PC 1 and the interface module 11
The side has a male structure, but is not particular about this.

The interface module 11 includes a speaker 13, a microphone 14, an LCD display module 15, an infrared transmitting / receiving module 16, and a microwave antenna 17. Infrared transmitting / receiving module 16
And the interface module 11 so that each signal of the antenna 17 can be easily received or transmitted.
The purpose of providing the cutout portion 18 is to reduce the absorption of infrared rays or microwaves by the material of which the interface module 11 is made, and to increase the transmission / reception sensitivity. The interface module 11 is provided with a slot 19 for mounting the card module 10. In this case, the slot 19 is open, but there may be a configuration in which the slot 19 is formed in a sheath shape to enhance the protection of the card module 10. A small slit or a small projection (not shown) is provided on the side wall of the slot 19 so that the card module 10 does not fall out, and engages with the small projection or small recess (not shown) of the card module 10. Is a realistic response. In addition, a battery or a power supply, and a maintenance mechanism for stabilizing them or preventing safety are built in as the power supply unit 20 or the like. A button 21 is provided for operating the interface module 11 to use a telephone function or a mail reading function.

Various functions and services can be operated using the voice recognition function. In such a case, the number of buttons 21 and 21 'can be extremely reduced. In the preliminary trial production by the inventors, sufficient operability could be obtained with about four pieces. In this case, four buttons are provided on each side of the interface module 11,
Although the arrangement is shown, the number and positions of the buttons do not limit the present invention.

In the case of having a flat shape as in this embodiment, it can be used as a name plate, and can be handled by providing a clip 22 on the back surface of the interface module 11. FIG. 3 shows a mounting example. The combined object 110 in which the card module 10 and the interface module 11 are combined is stopped on the user's chest.
All of the so-called telephone functions such as incoming call answering operation, normal conversation, line disconnection, etc. can be operated without delay. The microphone 13 and the speaker 14 are
If is located on the chest, the desired function can be performed at a sound level that does not cause any problem. Although not explicitly shown, an earphone jack may be provided in a part of the interface module 11 so as to enable the use of an earphone microphone when it is not desired to listen to a conversation to a surrounding person.

When the united object 110 is stopped on the chest, the presence of the cutout portion 18 touched earlier indicates that the communication partner (a base station antenna for a PHS or mobile phone, an infrared signal projection unit for a wireless LAN). He was doing well, and no problems were found due to wearing. In the case where the united object 110 receives the IrDA signal of the wireless LAN or the PC, FIG.
As shown in the example, a port 23 from which an IrDA signal is emitted (usually provided on the back surface of the PC. Here, a power supply terminal 24, another port 25, an interface terminal 26, etc. are present). It is efficient to write a signal by arranging a plurality of in a position where the united product 110 can be seen. With such an arrangement, it is possible to easily and efficiently rewrite telephone numbers and individual names associated with organizational changes, thereby improving the convenience of users thereafter.

[0022]

According to the present invention, when accessing a network using a portable terminal, information previously written in a card interface module that can be separated from the terminal is transmitted, or information received in a state combined with the terminal is transmitted to a card. It is possible to read in the state of only the interface module. (1) Relieving the trouble of the communication form due to the restriction of the code and the telephone body, (2) PC
In addition to realizing the control of physical force applied to both the card interface module and the card interface module, (3) the cost reduction by sharing a part of the hardware and the ability to read and write a large amount of data efficiently can be expected by a large number of users. This has the effect of enabling economical realization of a system to be implemented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an external shape of an embodiment of the present invention;
B is a diagram showing the back surface where the modules 10 and 11 are combined, C is a diagram showing the external shape of another embodiment of the present invention, D
1 is a perspective view showing a portable personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing software and hardware provided in the modules 10 and 11 of the present invention.

3A is a diagram showing a state where modules 10 and 11 are united, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a case where the united product 110 is mounted on a human chest.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a use mode of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a rear surface of the personal computer 1;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a personal computer, a PC card, and a mobile phone, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example in which a PHS phone is mounted on the personal computer.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04B 10/22 H04L 29/10 (72) Inventor Yoshitake Suzuki 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (72) Inventor Yutaka Nishino 3-19-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5K002 AA05 AA07 BA14 DA09 FA03 GA02 GA06 5K034 AA17 EE01 EE03 FF13 FF17 FF20 HH01 HH02 5K067 AA34 AA42 BB04 EE02 EE32 EE37 KK17 5K101 LL12 NN03 NN07 NN08 NN15 NN18 NN36 NN37 NN40

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Communication means capable of communicating with a wireless network, interface means necessary for data transmission / reception with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC), a protocol for embodying them, and a user operating the communication means Operating system necessary for communication, means as a receiver for visualizing or audible communication information, means as a sender for also visualizing or audible communication information, and information for identifying communication information and a user. A card module including telephone function control software, system control software, an application program, a PC memory, and a card interface, the card module being mountable between PCMCIA slots of a personal computer; Interface control software, wireless module, Loudspeaker, microphone, display module, an infrared module and power module, the wireless communication unit, characterized in that the card module are constructed so as to be divided into a freely mounted may interface module detachable. 2. The wireless communication unit according to claim 1, wherein said card module is a PC of a personal computer.
It is mounted in the MCIA slot to transmit and receive information through the card bus of the personal computer, and when mounted in the interface module, it can transmit and receive information to and from the personal computer by infrared communication. Wireless communication unit. 3. The wireless communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the card module has a voice recognition function, and the card module is a PC of a personal computer.
The personal computer can use the voice recognition function through the card bus by being installed in the MCIA slot, and the voice recognition function can be used independently when the card module is mounted in the interface module. A wireless communication unit characterized by the above-mentioned.