JP2001043195A - Information providing device for portable information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing device for portable information equipment by which information can easily be downloaded into portable information equipment by detecting the portable information equipment is mounted, outputting a detecting signal and transmitting information to the mounted portable information equipment in response to this detecting signal. SOLUTION: When the portable information equipment is mounted in a mounting part 58, the contact of the base is contacted with a contact 64 and a leaf spring 62 is deflected by the weight of the portable information equipment. With this bend, a switch is operated and charging is started. With the start of charging, information is downloaded into the portable information equipment by optical communication with the optical communication equipment of the portable information equipment. Thus, since such information can be automatically downloaded with the operation of charging without especially instructing the transmission of information, an operator can maintain the latest information in the portable information equipment with very simple operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for providing information to a portable information device, and more particularly to a device having a function of efficiently relaying information from an information supply source to the portable information device. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to the recent development of technology related to semiconductor devices, information processing equipment is becoming smaller and smaller. Therefore, always carry such miniaturized information processing equipment,
In many cases, information is browsed and processed at a necessary place when needed, and a large number of portable information devices have been developed and put to practical use to meet such demand.

By the way, when the information equipment is carried and used as described above, a battery or a storage battery which can be repeatedly charged and discharged is inevitably used as a power source. Above all, a storage battery is often used to secure a current required for the operation of the device. On the other hand, when the user is in the office, for example, there are few opportunities to use the portable information device. Therefore, during this time, if the portable information device is set in the charger, charging will be performed automatically,
The storage battery can always be kept charged.
The portable information terminal is not limited to a so-called handheld computer, but the situation regarding charging is the same for a mobile phone and the like.

[0004] On the other hand, portable information equipment has a size, weight,
Due to power supply limitations, it is not possible to mount a storage device with a very large capacity. Therefore, usually, for example, information is stored in a personal computer, and only necessary information is downloaded from the personal computer to the portable information device when necessary. If the information in the portable information device is updated, the updated information is transferred to the personal computer to update the original information. Thus, the information in the personal computer and the information in the portable information device are always synchronized. As a target of such processing, for example, there is a so-called address book.

[0005] Some conventional devices of this type include a charger connectable to a personal computer and a terminal for exchanging information with a portable information terminal. A button for exchanging information is provided on the charger, and by operating this button, information is exchanged between the personal computer and the portable information terminal.

[0006] In the case of a mobile phone, a personal computer is provided with so-called telephone directory data.
Updates are always made on this personal computer,
It is common for mobile phones to download telephone directory data from a personal computer. For this purpose, a method is generally used in which a terminal for data communication is provided in a mobile phone, connected to a personal computer using a dedicated cable, and dedicated software is activated on the personal computer to perform communication.

[0007]

For example, in a conventional portable telephone, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome because information exchange and charging must be performed using separate devices.
In a conventional charger used for a portable computer, information is not exchanged unless the button provided on the charger is operated after the portable computer is set in the charger. For this reason, there is a problem that charging is completed, but the user forgets to exchange necessary information.

In addition, as a new use of the portable information terminal, the data flow is limited to one direction to the portable information terminal, such as electronic newspaper, news flash, stock price flash, reception of e-mail, so-called pager usage. Limited usage is conceivable. In such a case, it is important how to download the information to the portable information terminal without any trouble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an information providing apparatus for a portable information device, which can easily download information to the portable information device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for providing information to a portable information device, wherein the portable information device is mounted. And a communication device provided at a position where communication with the portable information device can be performed when the portable information device is attached to the attachment portion, and detecting that the portable information device is attached to the attachment portion Means for outputting a signal, and communication control means for transmitting information via the communication device to the portable information device mounted on the mounting portion in response to the detection signal.

When a portable information device is mounted on the mounting portion and a detection signal is output, information is transmitted to the portable information device via the communication device in response to the detection signal. When transmitting information to a portable information device, only a simple and easy-to-understand operation of attaching the portable information device to the attachment portion of the information providing device is required, and it is possible to easily download information to the portable information device. An information providing device for an information device can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, an information receiving apparatus for receiving information from a remote information providing source and providing the information to the communication control means. And means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the functions and effects of the invention described in (1), it is possible to easily construct a system for transferring information centrally managed by a remote information providing source to portable information terminals distributed over a wide area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the communication control means includes a storage for temporarily storing the information received by the information receiving means. Means for transmitting information stored in the storage means via the communication device to the portable information device mounted on the mounting portion in response to the detection signal.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 2
In addition to the functions and effects of the invention described in (1), since information can be stored in the information providing device and the information can be transferred to the portable information terminal from the information providing device, concentration of access to the information providing source in a remote place can be avoided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the secondary battery of the portable information device is provided when the portable information device is mounted on the mounting portion. And a charging terminal for charging the battery.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In addition to the functions and effects of the invention described in (1), at the same time as the operation of charging the portable information terminal, which is always performed in the portable information terminal, the information can be transferred to the portable information terminal without particularly requiring the operation for information transfer. . As a result, it is possible to provide an information transfer device for a portable information device that can easily download information to the portable information device.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention simultaneously charges a portable information device 20 and a storage battery in portable information device 20. And a charger 22 having a function of downloading information to the portable information device 20. Charger 22
Is connected to an outlet via an adapter 26 and to a personal computer (not shown) via a connector 24.

On the surface of the portable information device 20, a tablet-integrated liquid crystal display device 40 capable of performing input using a stylus 46 and displaying information including image information, a speaker 42 for reproducing sound, and an operation An operation button 50 on the panel, an optical communication device 52 for performing optical communication with the charger 22, and a plus button 54 operated when performing operations such as moving an image, and provided on the upper side of the housing LED (Light Emitting D) indicating the operating status of the portable information device 20 and the charging status of the battery.
iode) 44 are provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, charger 22 has a mounting portion 5 having an opening at the center upper portion where portable information device 20 is mounted.
8 including a hollow housing 60. An opening 68 for communication when the portable information device 20 and the charger 22 perform optical communication is formed on a front side surface of the mounting portion 58, and a contact for charging is inserted into a bottom surface. An opening is formed. The charger 22 further includes: a control circuit board 66 mounted inside the housing 60; and an optical communication device 70 provided on the board 66 at a position facing an opening 68 for communication.
A leaf spring 62 provided on a bottom surface inside the housing 60, and a mobile phone attached to the tip of the leaf spring 62 so that its upper end protrudes from an opening at the bottom of the mounting portion 58, And a contact 64 provided on the bottom of the information device 20 and in contact with a contact (not shown). When the portable information device 20 is mounted in the mounting portion 58, the contact on the bottom surface contacts the contact 64, and the leaf spring 62 is bent by the weight of the portable information device 20. A switch (not shown) is operated by this bending,
Start charging. In the first embodiment, charging is started, and information is downloaded to the portable information device 20 by performing optical communication with the optical communication device 52 of the portable information device 20 using the optical communication device 70. Has a special feature.

Referring to FIG. 3, portable information device 20 includes tablet-integrated liquid crystal display device 40 and speaker 4 described above.
2, LED44, operation button 50 and plus button 5
In response to inputs from the operation panel 50, the optical communication device 52 and the optical communication device 56, the operation button 50, the plus button 54, and the tablet-integrated liquid crystal display device 40, the control program described below is executed. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 80 for executing and controlling the above-described elements, and receiving information from the CPU 80 to display information on the tablet-integrated liquid crystal display device 40. A liquid crystal driver 82 for providing input information of the used operator to the CPU 80;
An amplifier 84 for driving the speaker 42 in response to a signal given from the CPU 80;
Optical communication I / to provide an interface between
F (interface) 90 and an RO for storing various programs and data executed by the CPU 80.
M (Read-Only Memory) 86 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 88 used by CPU 80 as a work area
And a battery 92 composed of a storage battery for supplying power to these various devices, and a charger 2 through a contact (not shown).
2 to charge the battery 92 by receiving power from the
A charging circuit 94 for supplying a signal indicating the start and completion of charging to the CPU 80, and a backup circuit for supplying necessary minimum electric power to each unit so as not to lose necessary storage when replacing the battery 92. And a battery 96.

Referring to FIG. 4, in addition to optical communication device 70, charger 22 transmits data received from a personal computer (not shown) via connector 24 to portable information device 20 using optical communication device 70. A communication control circuit 102 for controlling communication at the time of transfer; and a switch 106 which operates by detecting deflection of the leaf spring 62 when the portable information device 20 is placed on the contact 64 of the charger 22. And a charge start detecting circuit 104 for detecting that charging has started in response to the operation of the switch 106 and providing a detection signal to the communication control circuit 102. The communication control circuit 102 starts a program for downloading information as described later in response to the detection signal.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control structure of the control program executed by portable information device 20 is as follows. This control program waits for the occurrence of some event once the power is turned on and started (step 1).
10). The events include, for example, detection of an operation in which the operator points to a certain point on the tablet-integrated liquid crystal display device 40 using the stylus 46, detection of the operator operating the plus button 54 or the operation button 50, and communication processing. , There is a detection that the next message has been received. Also, when the portable information device 20 is mounted on the charger 22 and charging is started, the charging circuit 94 supplies the CPU 8
A signal to that effect is output to 0, which is passed to this control program as one event.

If there is any event in step 110, the type of the event is determined in step 112. If the event is an event indicating the start of charging, the process proceeds to step 116, performs an information receiving process described later, and control returns to step 110. In the case of other events, a process corresponding to the event is performed in step 114, and the control returns to step 110.

Referring to FIG. 6, the program for the information receiving process performed in step 116 of FIG. 5 has the following control structure. First, at step 120, it is determined whether communication is possible. This is because the optical communication device 52 does not correctly face the optical communication device 70 or the like.
It is assumed that there is a case where communication via the Internet is impossible. If it is determined that communication is not possible, the information receiving process ends. That is, in this case, no information is received.

If it is determined in step 120 that communication is possible, first in step 122, one of a plurality of pieces of information provided by a personal computer (not shown) via Receive the update date and time. At this time, if there is no more information, a personal computer (not shown) transmits a message indicating that the provided information has been completed.

Therefore, in step 124, it is determined whether or not the information provided from the charger 22 has been completed based on the information received in step 122. If it is determined that the processing is to be ended, the program ends. If it is determined that the processing is not to be ended, in step 126, the last update date and time of the information received in step 122 is compared with the last update date and time of the corresponding information stored in the portable information device 20. If the corresponding information is not stored in the portable information device 20 or the information received this time is newer than the stored information, the control proceeds to step 128. Otherwise, control returns to step 122. At this time, actually, the data amount of the information to be received is compared with the free space of the RAM 88 in the portable information device 20, and the control returns to step 122 unless there is a sufficient free space. .

In step 128, a process of receiving this information from the charger 22 is performed. The reception at this time is executed by using a protocol that is predetermined between the portable information device 20 and the personal computer and the charger 22 (not shown). When all of this information has been received, the last update date and time of this information in portable information device 200 is updated in step 130, and control returns to step 122.

Thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated for the next information. When all the prepared information has been downloaded to the portable information device 20 in this manner, it is determined in step 122 that “reception has been completed”, and the process of downloading data to the portable information device 20 ends.

On the other hand, the processing executed by the communication control circuit 102 of the charger 22 has the following control structure. The process shown in FIG. 7 is performed when the portable information device 20 is placed on the charger 22 and the switch 106 is operated.
Started by 2.

First, at step 140, it is determined whether communication by the optical communication device 70 is possible. This is because optical communication may not be possible for some reason as in step 120 of FIG. If communication is not possible, the process ends.

If communication is possible, the portable information device 2 is transferred from a personal computer (not shown) in step 142.
A determination is made as to whether there is no more information to be transmitted for 0. This determination is made by making an inquiry to the personal computer. If the transmission of all information has been completed, the processing is terminated.

If there is any remaining information, the last update date and time of the next information is obtained from the personal computer in step 144. This last update date and time is transmitted to the portable information device 20 in step 146. At step 148, it is determined whether transmission is necessary based on a response from the portable information device 20. If transmission is unnecessary, control returns to step 142, and the process is repeated for the next information.

If it is determined that it is necessary to transmit the information to the portable information device 20, the data of this information is received from the personal computer at step 150 and transmitted to the portable information device 20. Upon completion of transmission of all data of the information, control returns to step 142. Thus,
When the transmission of all the information that needs to be transmitted to the portable information device 20 is completed, step 142 is performed.
Is "YES", and this program ends.

Embodiment 1 Referring to FIGS.
Operates as follows. First, it is assumed that various information is stored in a personal computer (not shown) and a program for downloading the information is operable on the personal computer. This program can communicate with the charger 22 and the connector 24 using a predetermined protocol. These various pieces of information are sequentially updated, and each time the information is updated, the information of the last update date and time is updated.

When the operator sets the portable information device 20 on the mounting portion 58 of the charger 22 in order to charge the portable information device 20, the contact between the contact (not shown) at the bottom of the portable information device 20 and the contact 64 is established. Then, charging of the battery 92 of the portable information device 20 is started. At this time, referring to FIG. 3, a signal indicating the start of charging is provided from charging circuit 94 to CPU 80. The charge start event is notified to the program whose control structure is shown in FIG. 5 by this signal. Therefore, the process of step 116 is started in the portable information device 20.

At the same time, in the charger 22, when the switch 106 detects the bending of the leaf spring 62, the charge start detecting circuit 104 operates, and sends a detection signal indicating the start of charging to the communication control circuit 102. The communication control circuit 102 starts the program shown in FIG. 7 in response to the detection signal.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, optical communication device 52 and optical communication device 70 normally face each other via opening 68 for communication in mounting portion 58, so that Communication via light becomes possible. Accordingly, the determination results in step 120 in FIG. 6 and step 140 in FIG. 7 are both “YES”, and the control proceeds to step 122 and step 142.

Here, referring to FIG.
Then, the charger 22 inquires of the personal computer whether or not there is the following information. On the other hand, since there is normally information to be transmitted, the determination result in step 142 is “NO”. Therefore, in step 144, charger 22 receives the last update date and time of the next information from the personal computer. The charger 22 transmits the last update date and time to the portable information device 20 in step 146.

The portable information device 20 receives the last update date and time in step 122 and makes a determination in step 126. If the result of this determination is “YES”, control proceeds to step 128 in the process shown in FIG. 6, where information is received. At this time, the charger 22 performs the process of step 150 in FIG. That is, the charger 22
A process of receiving information from the personal computer and transmitting it to the portable information device 20 is performed.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the reception of this information is completed in portable information device 20, this information is stored in, for example, a RAM.
The last update date and time of this information in the RAM 88 is updated accordingly. Control returns to step 122 again, and the same processing is repeated for the next information.

Similarly, the charger 22 transmits (relays) information.
Is completed, the control returns to step 142, and the same processing is repeated for the next information.

By performing the above processing, the latest information is stored in the RAM 88 of the portable information device 20. At the same time, the charging of the battery 92 of the portable information device 20 has been completed. The operator removes the portable information device 20 from the charger 22. Hereinafter, this portable information device 2
If the required information is inquired to 0, the latest information at the time of the latest charging can be confirmed. With the operation of charging, the information can be automatically downloaded without the need to instruct the transmission of the information, so that the operator can operate the portable information device 20 with a very simple operation.
This has the effect of keeping the information in the latest up to date.

In the first embodiment, an optical communication device for transmitting and receiving information is provided in a charger for a battery, and downloading of information is started using the optical communication device simultaneously with charging. However, charging is not always necessary. One feature of the present invention is that information is downloaded to the portable information terminal only by inserting the portable information terminal into a predetermined location. This also has the effect that the data can be downloaded very easily. However, one of the features of the present invention is that data can be automatically downloaded in addition to a charging operation, which is an operation almost inevitable in a portable information terminal.

In the first embodiment, the charger 2
2 downloaded information from a personal computer. However, the source of the information is not limited to the personal computer. Further, the charger 22 does not need to be directly connected to the personal computer. For example, an “information charger” similar to the charger 22 (the battery charging function is not necessarily required) is provided in a streetlight, a train, a station, a public facility, or the like, or in a telephone booth. These information chargers may be connected to a common information server by communication. [Second Embodiment] In the system of the first embodiment described above, charger 22 simply relays information from a personal computer, which is an information source, to portable information device 20. However, a device that temporarily stores information obtained from an information source, instead of simply relaying the information, is also conceivable. The charger 160 according to the second embodiment has such a function.

Referring to FIG. 8, this charger 160
In addition to the optical communication device 70, the charging start detection circuit 104, and the switch 106 of the charger 22 shown in (1), a program for managing communication with an information source (not shown), storage of information, and communication with the portable information device 20 is executed. CPU 162 for performing
An optical communication I / F 164 provided between the CPU 162 and the optical communication device 70; and an SRAM 16 connected to the CPU 162 for storing information obtained from an information source.
8 and an R connected to the CPU 162 for storing programs and data to be executed by the CPU 162 in advance.
It includes a communication I / F 172 connected to the OM 170 and the CPU 162 for performing communication between the OM 170 and an information source (not shown) via, for example, a cable or wireless communication.

The outline of the control structure of the program executed by the CPU 162 will be described below. Each process is apparent from the well-known matters of those skilled in the art and the matters described in relation to the first embodiment, and therefore, a description using a flowchart is not particularly given here.

Information is downloaded to the charger 160 from the information source via the communication I / F 172 according to the schedule determined by the information source, and is stored in the SRAM 168. Then, the portable information device 2 is operated by the switch 106.
0 is detected to be attached to the charger 160 for charging, and in response to this, the charge start detection circuit 104 outputs a charge start detection signal.
The information stored in the SRAM 168 is transmitted to the portable information device 20 via the optical communication device 164 and the optical communication device 70. Since the outline of the transmission process is the same as that described in connection with the first embodiment, the details will not be repeated here.

By providing the information storage section in the charger 160 as described above, the following effects are produced. As an information source to the portable information device, an information provider on a network is usually assumed. Such an information provider will have contracts with a large number of customers. In addition, in order to improve the effectiveness of such information provision services, the charger 1
It is desirable to install information providing devices similar to 60 at a number of places including public places. Then, a situation in which many accesses concentrate on the host computer for information provision prepared by the information provider at one time can be considered. In such a case, if the apparatus of the first embodiment is connected to the host computer, it is impossible to avoid concentration of accesses.

However, in the device of the second embodiment,
When new information is prepared on the host computer side, the information can be sequentially transmitted to each charger 160 in advance and stored. This eliminates the need to access the host computer when providing information from the charger 160 to the portable information device. Therefore, the transmission schedule can be managed on the host computer side.
This has the effect of reducing the load on the host computer. Each time new information is prepared, the information is charged to the charger 160.
, The information of the charger 160 can be kept relatively new, and the time lag caused by storing the information can be minimized.

In the above description, charger 22 or charger 160 has only one place where portable information device 20 can be mounted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The charger may be capable of mounting two or more portable information devices. In addition, the information providing device of the present invention is not limited to a charger. A device having the same shape as that of the battery charger and having a place where the portable information device 20 can be attached, and automatically transmitting information to the portable information device 20 by detecting that the portable information device 20 is attached. It can be realized in any form. For example, an information providing device intended only to provide information is conceivable, and a device that performs an operation that is always required for a device to be carried (the above-described charging operation is one of them).
It is also possible to provide an information providing device.

As portable information devices, devices in various fields can be considered. For example, a function as an information providing device can be provided in a telephone body having an answering machine function. A mounting portion for a mobile phone or a general hand-held computer is provided in the main body of the telephone, and when a mobile phone or the like is mounted here, a message recorded on an answering machine is automatically transferred to the mobile phone. Even when the user goes out with this mobile phone, he / she can reproduce the message of the answering machine from the mobile phone or the like.

As another application, a device for transferring a train timetable or a flight schedule at an airport to a portable information terminal, and a navigator device in a museum, a museum, an aquarium, a zoo, or the like, or in a park are considered. Can be In order to realize these services, railway stations, airport terminal buildings, museums, museums, aquariums,
A dedicated information providing device is prepared in the zoo. The user can transfer necessary information to the portable information terminal by attaching the portable information terminal to the information providing device, and can confirm the contents while freely moving.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charger and a portable information device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the charger shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable information device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the charger shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a main flowchart of a program executed by the portable information device shown in FIG. 3;

6 is a flowchart of the information receiving process shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the charger shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a charger according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 portable information equipment, 22 charger, 52, 56, 70
Optical communication device, 58 mounting part, 64 contacts.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 10/105 H04M 1/11 Z 5K067 10/10 1/21 P 5K101 10/22 11/08 H04M 1 / 00 G06F 1/00 331A 1/02 H04B 7/26 109H 1/11 9/00 R 1/21 11/08 F term (reference) 5B011 DA13 DB13 EA04 5B019 BA10 CA10 GA01 GA02 5K002 AA01 AA03 DA05 FA03 GA07 5K023 AA07 BB11 BB21 DD06 KK04 LL04 LL06 MM26 NN05 PP12 5K027 AA11 BB02 EE01 EE11 GG04 KK07 MM05 5K067 AA34 BB04 DD16 DD51 EE03 EE10 EE37 FF02 HH23 KK06 KK15 5K101 KK20 NN12 NN12 NN12 NN16 NN12 NN16 NN16 NN16 NN16 NN04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information providing apparatus for providing information to a portable information device, comprising: a mounting portion to which the portable information device is mounted; and a mobile information device when the mobile information device is mounted to the mounting portion. A communication device provided at a position where communication with the portable information device is enabled; a unit for detecting that the portable information device is attached to the attachment unit and outputting a detection signal; and responding to the detection signal. And a communication control unit for transmitting information to the portable information device mounted on the mounting unit via the communication device. 2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information receiving means for receiving information from a remote information providing source and providing the information to said communication control means. 3. The communication control unit includes: a storage unit for temporarily storing information received by the information receiving unit; and a portable information device mounted on the mounting unit in response to the detection signal. Means for transmitting information stored in the storage means via the communication device,
The information providing device according to claim 2. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging terminal for charging a secondary battery of the portable information device when the portable information device is mounted on the mounting portion.