JP2001148725A - Communication terminal and information transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily make light intention transmission by using a portable terminal. SOLUTION: The portable terminal 100 is provided with a hit surface 111 that an operator hits, a vibration detection part 16 which detects hit vibration given to the hit surface 111, and a vibration reproduction part 17 which vibrates corresponding to a vibration signal supplied through a radio part 11. A user hits the hit surface part 111 and then the vibration detection part 16 outputs data representing the strength of the hit. In the portable terminal of a transmission partner, a vibration reproduction part 17 reproduces the hit vibration according to the received data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a portable telephone and a PH.
The present invention relates to a communication terminal such as S (Personal Handyphone system) and an information transmission method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Portable terminals, such as portable telephones and PHSs, are widely used because they can be easily used outdoors and indoors at any place. By the way, in the above-mentioned portable terminal, in addition to the original voice call,
There is provided a device having a mail function capable of exchanging text messages and the like between mobile terminals. By using this, the user who owns the portable terminal can communicate with the other party by voice or text message.

[0003]

Now that the use of mobile terminals has penetrated various living situations, in addition to communication functions using voice or text messages,
There is a demand for a mobile terminal that has a function that can easily perform simple communication. As an example of performing a simple intention transmission, for example, it is conceivable that the user grasps whether or not the other party can answer the telephone before making a call request.
In this case, first, before making the call request, the user communicates the intention of making the call request to the other party. Then, only when the other party has communicated the intention to be able to answer the call, a call request is made. As described above, the user communicates a simple intention before making a call request, and if the user can grasp whether or not the other party can answer the telephone, a ring tone for notifying the incoming call at the portable terminal of the other party that cannot answer the call. There is no problem that the sound continues to sound and disturbs the surroundings. In addition, even when there is no business to be conveyed to the other party by voice, text message, or the like, the user may want to perform light communication, but the current mobile terminal cannot cope with the situation.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal and an information transmission method capable of easily transmitting a simple intention.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal for performing communication via a network, comprising: A vibration detection unit that detects the impact vibration applied to the impact surface unit, a transmission unit that transmits the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit as vibration data, and a reception unit that receives the vibration data indicating the impact vibration, Generating the vibration signal based on the vibration data received by the receiving unit,
A gist of the present invention is a communication terminal comprising: a vibration reproducing unit that reproduces vibration according to the vibration signal.

[0006] In the structure of the second aspect,
The communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a voice call control unit for controlling a voice call. Further, in the configuration according to claim 3, in the communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the communication terminal further includes a timer for measuring an interval of the impact vibration detected by the vibration detection unit,
The transmission unit may generate the vibration data based on an interval measured by the timer and a magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal of the third aspect, the vibration data is temporarily stored and then transmitted. In the configuration according to claim 5,
5. The communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein, when the vibration data includes the interval and the magnitude of the vibration, the vibration reproducing unit corresponds to the magnitude according to the interval. And generating the vibration signal. Further, in the configuration according to claim 6, in the communication terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 5, if the time measured by the timer exceeds a predetermined time, no hit is made. It is characterized in that the timing of the interval of the impact vibration is stopped. In a configuration according to a seventh aspect, in the communication terminal according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the communication terminal is a mobile phone. In the configuration according to claim 8,
The sender strikes the striking surface of the communication terminal, the communication terminal transmits a striking signal corresponding to the striking to the receiver, and the receiving communication terminal receives the striking signal via the network and receives the striking signal. A gist of the present invention is an information transmission method characterized in that vibration is generated by a signal.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Such an embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

(1) Configuration of Embodiment First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a portable terminal of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless unit 11, a storage unit 14, a control unit 12,
It has a vibration detecting unit 16, a vibration reproducing unit 17, a key input unit 13, a display unit 15, and a timer 18. This mobile terminal 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a conventionally known portable terminal provided with a vibration detecting unit 16 and a vibration reproducing unit 17.

A radio section 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a means for performing bidirectional radio communication with a center (not shown), and a transmission / reception antenna 11a is connected to the radio section 11. The control unit 12 is a control center of the portable terminal, and controls each unit in the portable terminal 100 according to various control programs stored in the program memory 14a of the storage unit 14. The key input unit 13 includes input keys (not shown) for numbers and various characters (such as alphabets), and inputs data such as telephone numbers by operating the input keys. The storage unit 14 includes a program memory 14a and a data memory 14b.
It is composed of The program memory 14a
It is a non-volatile memory and has a role as a storage unit for various control programs and control information. The program memory 14 stores a processing program and the like for transmitting data output from a vibration detection unit 16 to be described later to a partner mobile terminal. The data memory 14b is a rewritable memory, and stores data and the like (details will be described later) output from the vibration detection unit 16. The display unit 15 is a unit that displays characters, symbols, and the like selected by the user operating the key input unit 13, and includes a liquid crystal panel or the like.

Next, a vibration detecting section 16 and a vibration reproducing section 17
Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the mobile terminal 100. This mobile terminal 10
0 is provided with an openable and closable flip 110 that is pivotally supported at the end of the portable terminal 100. Flip 110
In the closed position, an operation button (not shown) is covered. A hitting surface portion 111 is provided on the surface of the flip 110. When the user strikes the striking surface section 111, the striking intensity is detected by the vibration detecting section 16.

The vibration detecting section 16 has a pressure sensor 16a for detecting a pressure applied to the striking surface section 111, and a pressure detecting circuit 16b for outputting pressure detection data based on a signal output from the pressure sensor 16a. I have. The detailed description of the pressure sensor 16a and the pressure detection circuit 16b will be described later. In the following description, hitting the hitting surface portion 111 is referred to as knocking, and a signal output from the pressure sensor 16a by knocking is referred to as a knock signal. Data indicating the knock intensity output from the pressure detection circuit 16b is referred to as knock data.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the flip 110 shown in FIG. Pressure sensor 16a
2 is provided on the lower surface of the striking surface 111 as shown in FIG. 2B, and outputs a signal that changes according to the intensity of the striking applied to the striking surface 111. That is, the greater the intensity of the impact, the greater the amplitude of the knock signal. The pressure detection circuit 16b responds to the change of the knock signal.
The knock data output from is also changed. However, the pressure detection circuit 16b detects a knock signal of a predetermined level (threshold) or more and outputs knock data. Therefore,
At the time of knock input, the hitting surface portion 111 is contrary to the user's intention.
When a slight pressure is applied to the pressure sensor (for example, when the collar of the clothes touches the striking surface portion 111), the pressure sensor 1
Even if a knock signal indicating a slight change is output from 6a,
Knock data indicating that a hit has occurred is not output from the pressure detection circuit 16b.

The pressure sensor 16a detects only the pressure applied to the striking surface 111 as described above. Therefore, even when vibration is applied to the entire portable terminal 100 (for example, when the user who puts the portable terminal 100 in the pants pocket runs down the stairs), pressure is applied to the striking surface portion 111. Unless this is done, a knock signal indicating a pressure change is not output from pressure sensor 16a. Thus, the mobile terminal 10 according to the present embodiment
Since the control unit 12 of 0 determines the presence or absence of the knock input from the change in the pressure applied to the specific surface (the striking surface unit 111), the vibration applied to the entire portable terminal 100 is not erroneously recognized as the knock input.

Next, the vibration reproducing unit 17 will be described.
The vibration reproducing unit 17 is a circuit that reproduces knock according to knock data or the like transmitted from another portable terminal, and includes a striking mechanism (not shown) such as a piezoelectric vibrator. This striking mechanism is provided inside the mobile terminal 100 (not shown), and accurately reproduces the strength of the striking and the striking interval (the time interval between the striking and the next striking) by the processing described later. Then, the vibration is transmitted to the entire portable terminal 100. Therefore, even when knock reproduction is performed while the portable terminal 100 is put in a pocket and walking, the vibration due to knock reproduction is transmitted to the entire portable terminal 100, so that the user can experience the vibration. . Here, a knocking mechanism such as a piezoelectric vibrator that mechanically hits the portable terminal 100 is illustrated as the knock reproduction means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a speaker may be used as knock reproduction means, and vibration may be reproduced by amplifying and frequency-converting a received signal according to knock data or the like transmitted from another portable terminal.

As described above, the vibration reproducing unit 17 performs the knock reproduction based on the knock data or the like transmitted from another portable terminal.
It propagates to all 0s. Here, the relationship between the vibration detecting unit 16 and the vibration reproducing unit 17 will be described. The vibration detecting unit 16 detects the impact intensity only when the impact surface unit 111 is impacted as described above. Therefore, even when the vibration reproduced by the vibration reproducing unit 17 is transmitted to the entire portable terminal 100, data indicating that there is a knock input is output from the vibration detecting unit 16 unless pressure is applied to the hitting surface unit 111. Never. Therefore, the control unit 12 does not mistakenly recognize the vibration due to the knock reproduction as the knock input. Next, preconditions for transmitting and receiving knock data and the like using the above-described mobile terminal 100 will be described.

(2) Prerequisites for Explanation of Operation i) Communication System First, a data communication system in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a wireless packet communication method for packetizing knock data or the like to transmit and receive data is adopted. The packet communication referred to here is based on a connection-type data communication method in which a connection is established (hereinafter, a call is established) when data is transmitted between terminals, and data is transmitted over the established connection. Note that a connection is a connection between terminals for performing communication.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. The communication system shown in FIG. 3 includes a portable terminal 100a, a dedicated center (hereinafter simply referred to as a center) 200 for distributing knock data and the like,
The mobile terminal 100b is configured. The center 200 serves as a communication network (network) for portable terminals, and may be provided as a special function of a general exchange or a dedicated exchange.

In FIG. 3, when packetized knock data and the like are transmitted from portable terminal 100a, center 200 first receives the knock data and the like. The center 200 transmits knock data and the like from the portable terminal 100a to the portable terminal 100b. When exchanging knock data and the like between the portable terminal 100a and the portable terminal 100b via the center 200, a call is first established between the center 200 and the portable terminal 100a, and the center 200 is established while the call is established. To send knock data and the like. Then, after the call is disconnected and a call is established between the center 200 and the mobile terminal 100b, knock data and the like are transmitted from the center 200 to the mobile terminal 100b. Here, when transmitting and receiving knock data and the like between the mobile terminal 100a and the mobile terminal 100b, the center 200 and the mobile terminal 100a and the center 20
A state in which a call is established between the mobile terminal 100a and the mobile terminal 100b may be held in a pseudo manner so that data can be directly exchanged between the mobile terminal 100a and the mobile terminal 100b.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a connection-type communication system is adopted, but a connectionless communication system represented by the Internet Protocol (IP) may be adopted. Here, the connectionless communication system refers to a communication system that does not need to establish a call between terminals that transmit and receive data and that can always transmit and receive data. Next, a transmission mode set by the user when transmitting knock data or the like will be described.

Ii) Transmission Mode First, there are two types of transmission modes: an immediate transmission mode and a post-recording transmission mode. Here, the immediate transmission mode is
A transmission mode in which data related to knock input is transmitted sequentially after knock input. The transmission mode after recording is a data transmission mode in which data related to knock is temporarily stored after knock input.
4b, and refers to a transmission mode in which transmission is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Specifically, it is as follows.

First, the immediate transmission mode will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in the immediate transmission mode. First, it is assumed that the user knocks on the striking surface portion 111 with a finger (FIG. 4A). When the impact surface portion 111 is knocked, a knock signal nc1 corresponding to the knock is output from the pressure sensor 16a (FIG. 4B). The pressure detection circuit 16b calculates the knock intensity from the signal level of the knock signal nc1, and outputs knock data nd1 (FIG. 4).
(C)). Then, knock data nd1 is transmitted from wireless section 11 of portable terminal 100 via antenna 11a (FIG. 4 (d)). The series of processes described above is repeatedly executed for each knock input. For example, when the knock is input four times in the immediate transmission mode, knock data nd1 to nd4 (see FIG. 4) indicating the strength of the knock corresponding to each knock.
(F)) are sequentially transmitted from the radio unit 11 via the antenna 11a (FIG. 4E).

As described above, the immediate transmission mode for sequentially transmitting knock data is a transmission mode that emphasizes immediacy.
In this immediate transmission mode, when a delay occurs in a transmission path for transmitting knock data, knock timing (time interval from the input of a knock to the input of the next knock) on the transmission side and the knock on the reception side are reduced. There will be a deviation from the knock timing at the time of reproduction. That is, the knock interval may not be accurately reproduced.
Next, the post-recording transmission mode will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation in the post-recording transmission mode. First, when the knocking surface portion 111 is knocked, knock data nd1 corresponding to the knock (first knock) is output from the pressure detection circuit 16b, and the timer 18 is reset (FIG. 5B). The timer 18 starts measuring the time at the same time as the knocking surface portion 111 is knocked, and notifies the control unit 12 when the predetermined time T has elapsed. In the post-recording transmission mode, knock data and time measurement data of timer 18 are stored in association with data memory 14b. Therefore, here, knock data nd1 and knock timing data t1 (t1 = 0) indicating the time measured by timer 18 are temporarily stored in data memory 14b without being transmitted.
Then, if there is no knock input before the predetermined time T elapses after knocking the hitting surface portion 111 for the first time, the knock data nd1 and the knock timing data t1 are transmitted from the wireless unit 11 after the predetermined time T elapses (FIG. 5 (a)). In the following description, a predetermined time T
The state up to the lapse of time is called a knocking state.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the next knock (second knock) is input before a predetermined time T has elapsed since the knocking of the hitting surface portion 111 first, Knock data nd2 corresponding to the second knock
And knock timing data t2 with the time at which the first knock was input being set to “0” are stored in association with the data memory 14b as in the case described above. Then, the timer 18 is reset, and a new time measurement is started. A predetermined time T after the second knock is input
If there is no knock input before the elapse, the data memory 14
Knock data nd1, nd2 and knock timing data t1, t2 stored in b are transmitted collectively from wireless section 11 (FIG. 5 (d)).

As described above, in the post-recording transmission mode,
Knock data indicating the magnitude of knock and knock timing data indicating a relative time with respect to the time when the first knock is input as the origin are stored in the data memory 14b.
If the next knock is not input before the predetermined time T has elapsed, the knock data stored in the data memory 14b and the knock timing data are transmitted together (FIGS. 5C and 5D). ). Mobile terminal 10 on the receiving side
At 0, the knock is reproduced according to the knock data and the knock timing data that are sent. Therefore, there is no deviation between the knock timing on the transmitting side and the knock timing at the time of knock reproduction on the receiving side. Next, the types of transmission data will be described.

Iii) Types of Transmission Data FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between transmission modes and transmission data. As is clear from the above description, the configuration of the transmission data differs depending on the type of the transmission mode. When the transmission mode is the immediate transmission mode, the transmission data is only knock data. On the other hand, when the transmission mode is the post-recording transmission mode, the transmission data is knock data and knock timing data. In the following description, transmission data in the immediate transmission mode is referred to as single knock data, and transmission data in the post-recording transmission mode is referred to as knock sequence data. Note that a type code (for example, a code for changing the vibration frequency) may be added to each transmission data so that the type of vibration or the like may be changed depending on the position at which the hitting surface portion 111 is hit. Here, as a method of detecting the position at which the striking surface portion 111 is struck, for example, a plurality of pressure sensors are provided for the striking surface portion 111, and a unique vibration frequency is assigned to each pressure sensor. The operation of the embodiment will be described based on the above assumptions.

(3) Description of Operation of Embodiment i) Transmission Processing Next, the operation of transmitting data using the portable terminal 100 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, simply referring to data means data related to knock. Also, here, PDC-
It is assumed that a portable terminal of a transmission destination, such as a P system, transmits packet data using a system in which packet data cannot be directly received from a transmission source. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 12 at the time of data transmission. Here, the case where the user selects the immediate transmission mode will be described first.

A) Immediate transmission processing First, the user operates the input button to input the telephone number of the transmission partner, and then sets the transmission mode to the immediate transmission mode. When the transmission mode is set to the immediate transmission mode, the control unit 12 sends the data to the center 20 stored in the data memory 14b.
0, read the address, establish a call with the center 200,
Start packet communication. Next, the control unit 12 activates the processing program in the specified immediate transmission mode, and enters a knock input waiting state (step S1). Then, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not there is a knock. Whether or not there is knock is determined based on knock data output from the pressure detection circuit 16b. While the processing of steps S1 and S2 is repeated, the pressure detection circuit 16b
When knock data is output from the memory (step S2), the knock data is stored in the data memory 14.
Then, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 12 resets the timer 18 (T = 0).

Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether or not the network is ready for transmission.
Here, the transmission preparation is defined between the terminal that exchanges data (the center 200 and the portable terminal 100 of the transmission source user).
During a), a call is established. If it is determined in step S4 that network transmission is ready, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 12 determines whether the transmission mode set by the user is the post-recording transmission mode. Since the transmission mode set by the user is the immediate transmission mode, the determination result is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S6. Control unit 12
Stores knock data (knock strength) in the data memory 14.
b, and sends knock data to the wireless unit 11 (step S6). In response, the wireless unit 11 transmits single knock data including knock data for immediate transmission to the mobile terminal of the other party via the antenna 11a.

Then, the process returns to step S1, and the processes of steps S1 to S6 are repeatedly executed. During this time, if the user performs a button operation on the portable terminal 100 and the setting mode is switched from the immediate transmission mode to the call mode or the like, the control unit 12 ends the transmission processing.

Here, when the center 200 receives the single knock data from the user's portable terminal 100a, the center 200 specifies the portable terminal 100b to which the single knock data is to be transmitted from the telephone number of the transmission partner input by the user,
A call is established with the destination mobile terminal 100b. Center 20
0 indicates that a call with the destination mobile terminal 100b has been established,
The single knock data transmitted from the user's mobile terminal 100a is transferred to the mobile terminal 100b. Mobile terminal 1
In the case of 00b, even if a call is established with the center 200, a ring tone notifying of an incoming call does not sound and knocks are sequentially reproduced according to the single knock data sent from the center 200.

Next, a case where the user selects the post-recording transmission mode will be described with reference to FIG. 8 based on the following conditions. <Conditions> 1: The predetermined time T measured by the timer 18 is “30”
And 2: The minimum value of knock data nd when the pressure detection circuit 16b detects knock is "1", and the maximum value is "10".
And

B) Post-Recording Transmission Process The user operates the input button to specify the destination and to set the post-recording transmission mode and the immediate transmission mode. The control unit 12 activates a processing program in the designated transmission mode after recording. Then, the control unit 12 enters a knock input waiting state (standby state) (step S1), and determines whether or not there is a knock (step S2). Step S
1 and the process of step S2 are repeated, the knock data nd1 is output from the pressure detection circuit 16b as shown in FIG.
(The value is set to "7"), and if it is determined that there is a knock (step S2), knock data nd1 is stored in the data memory 14b, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 12 resets the timer 18 (T
= 0). The measured value of the timer 18 at this time, that is, the knock timing data t1 (value is set to “0”) is associated with the knock data nd1 in the data memory 1.
4b. The timer 18 starts measuring time simultaneously with the reset.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S4, where it is determined whether or not the network is ready for transmission.
When the control unit 12 determines that the network transmission is ready, and determines that the transmission mode is the post-recording transmission mode (steps S4 and S5), the process proceeds to step S16.
The control unit 12 determines in step S16 that the predetermined time T (T
= 30) It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed based on the value measured by the timer 18.

Since the timer 18 has been reset, the control unit 12 determines that the predetermined time T has not elapsed, and proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 12 determines whether there is a knock. When the control unit 12 determines that there is knock, the knock data nd2 (value is set to “3”) output from the pressure detection circuit 16b and the measured value of the timer 18 at this time, that is, knock timing data t2 ( Value is set to "10") in the data memory 14b.
(See FIG. 8). At this time, timer 1
8 is reset (T = 0), and time measurement is started again. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the control unit 12 determines whether the value measured by the timer 18 has exceeded a predetermined time T. Since the timer 18 has been reset, it is determined that the predetermined time T has not elapsed, and the process proceeds to step S18.
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a knock. Step S1
If it is determined in step 8 that there is no knock, step S is performed again.
Return to 16. Then, step S16 and step S18
If the time measured by the timer 18 exceeds the predetermined time T (the value is set to "30") during the repetitive execution of the process, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the control unit 12 reads the knock data nd1, nd2 stored in the data memory 14b and the knock timing data t1, t2 corresponding to the knock data, and sends them to the wireless unit 11 in a lump (see FIG. 8A). In response to this, the wireless unit 11 transmits knock sequence data including a plurality of knock data and knock timing data for transmission after recording to the destination mobile terminal via the antenna 11a.

Then, the process returns to step S1, and returns to step S1 to step S5, step S16 to step S1.
8 is repeatedly executed. During this time, if the user performs a button operation on the portable terminal 100 and the setting mode is switched from the post-recording transmission mode to the call mode or the like, the control unit 12 ends the transmission processing.

The operation of transmitting knock sequence data from the center 200 to the portable terminal 100b of the transmission destination is described in the immediate transmission mode described above.
Since the operation is the same as that of transmitting single knock data from 0 to the destination portable terminal 100b, the description thereof is omitted.

The transmission process described above is a transmission process of a connection-type communication system. As described above, in the connection-type communication method, when data is exchanged, it is necessary to first establish a call between the terminals that exchange data, specifically, between the center 200 and the portable terminal 100a as the transmission source. (See FIG. 3). Therefore, if a knock is input when the transmission is not ready (before establishing a call between the center 200 and the transmission source mobile terminal 100a), it is determined whether the transmission mode set by the user is the immediate transmission mode. Regardless of the post-transmission mode, the mode shifts to the post-recording transmission mode (see step S4 in FIG. 7).

Here, there are various methods for coping with the case where a knock is input when the preparation for transmission is not completed, in addition to the method of shifting to the transmission mode after recording as described above. For example, there is a method in which if a knock is input before the transmission preparation is completed, an error is made, and a knock input is not accepted until the transmission preparation is completed. Specifically, if the knock is input before the preparation for transmission is completed, the user is notified that transmission is impossible, for example, by displaying it on the display unit 15. And after the transmission preparation is completed,
The user is again notified that the transmission preparation is completed. As described above, knock input may not be accepted until transmission preparation is completed.

Iii) Reception Processing Next, the operation on the reception side that receives data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 12 when receiving data. First, when data is transmitted from the center 200, the portable terminal 100b on the receiving side determines whether or not the transmitted data is single knock data based on header information or the like (step S100 → step S101). . When the control unit 12 determines that the received data is single knock data, the control unit 12 sequentially reproduces knocks (Step S).
102). Specifically, according to the knock data (knock strength) constituting the single knock data, the vibration reproducing unit 1
7 to output a control signal. The striking mechanism of the vibration reproducing unit 17 performs striking according to the control signal, and
Transmit vibration throughout.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the data sent from the center 200 is knock sequence data (step S101), the knock sequence data is temporarily stored in the data memory 14b. Then, knock data and knock timing data constituting the knock sequence data are read from the data memory 14b, and a knock having a strength corresponding to the knock data is reproduced according to the knock timing data. Since the specific operation of knock reproduction is the same as that of single knock data, the description thereof is omitted. As described above, knock sequence data includes knock timing data. By the above processing, there is no deviation between the knock timing at the time of knock input and the knock timing at the time of knock reproduction.

Here, the portable terminal 10 according to the present embodiment
No. 0 has an automatic destination change function of automatically changing the destination for the next call upon receiving the data regarding the knock to the source of the knock data. More specifically, when the portable terminal 100 receives the data regarding the knock, the control unit 12 reads the caller number included in the received data. Then, the caller number is stored in the data memory 14b as the telephone number of the knock transmission destination. When the transmission mode is set by the user, the control unit 1
No. 2 sets the telephone number stored in the data memory 14b as the destination of data relating to knock. Therefore, when the user who has received the knock returns the knock to the knock source after once pursuing the communication, the telephone number stored in the data memory 14b is input to the control unit 12 without inputting the telephone number of the knock destination. Can return a knock by reading.

Iv) Processing for Signal Interrupt In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
, Data is exchanged between the portable terminals 100a and 100b. Here, the center 200 can establish (connect) a call with a plurality of terminals. For this reason,
Data may be sent from another portable terminal (other than 100a and 100b shown in FIG. 3) to the portable terminal 100a or 100b (a signal interrupt may occur). Also,
While data is being transmitted from the portable terminal 100a to the portable terminal 100b shown in FIG. 3, data may be sent from the portable terminal 100b to the portable terminal 100a.
The signal interruption described above can be broadly classified into a reception interruption for transmission and a reproduction interruption from a plurality of transmission sources. The processing method in each case will be described below.

A) Interruption of Reception for Transmission Here, a case where the user receives knock sequence data or single knock data (hereinafter simply referred to as knock) during transmission of knock will be described. In the case where the transmission mode is the recording-and-transmission mode, first, when performing a knock input, the user reproduces the incoming knock when a knock arrives in the knocking state (before the predetermined time T has elapsed) (interrupt reproduction permitted), or Whether or not knock reproduction is performed after a predetermined time T has elapsed (interruption reproduction rejection) is set by operating a button. Here, when the user sets the interruption reproduction permission, the incoming knock is sequentially reproduced independently of the knock input. On the other hand, if interrupt reproduction is set to be rejected, data relating to incoming knock is temporarily stored in the data memory 14b. And the control unit 12
When the knock input ends (the knocking state ends (the predetermined time T elapses)), control for reproducing the incoming knock is started, and based on the data stored in the data memory 14b, the incoming knock is reproduced. Go.

When the Transmission Mode is the Immediate Transmission Mode As in the case described above, the user sets interruption reproduction permission or interruption reproduction rejection by button operation. When the user sets the interruption reproduction permission, the incoming knock is sequentially reproduced independently of the knock input as in the case of the post-recording transmission mode. On the other hand, when interrupt reproduction is set to be rejected, data relating to incoming knock is temporarily stored in the data memory 14b. Then, after the transmission processing is completed (for example, the setting mode of the mobile terminal 100 is switched from the transmission mode to the voice communication mode or the like),
Play the incoming knock.

B) Playback Interruption from Multiple Sources Next, processing when knocks are sent from multiple sources will be described.

When the knock sequence data is being reproduced When the knock sequence data is being reproduced from the sender and a knock is sent from another party, the reproduction of the knock sequence data being reproduced is not terminated until the reproduction of the knock sequence data being reproduced is completed. , Do not allow knock playback of knocks. As shown in FIG. 6, the knock sequence data is composed of knock data and knock timing data, and guarantees knock timing. During the reproduction of knock sequence data, knock timing is guaranteed by not permitting interrupt reproduction of knock.

When Single Knock Data is Reproduced If the knock is sent from another party while the single knock data is being reproduced from the sender, interrupt reproduction is permitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the single knock data is composed of knock data, and does not guarantee knock timing. Therefore, if a knock is sent from another person while the single knock data is being reproduced, interrupt reproduction is permitted. However, if there is an interrupt knock during the reproduction of single knock data, the caller number of the sender of the knock data is left as an incoming call history. For example, while playing single knock data from sender A,
When the single knock data is sent from the sender B, the knock of the sender A and the knock of the sender B are confused. In this case, it is difficult to specify the transmission source from the knock timing, the knock strength, or the like. However, the data memory 14b of the portable terminal on the receiving side stores the caller number of the knock data transmission source as a received call history. Therefore, by confirming the incoming call history, the user can know who sent the knock.

(4) Others i) Display Method of Knock Sender When a knock is sent from another mobile terminal to its own mobile terminal, it is necessary to inform the user of the knock sent from whom. There is. The specific method for notifying the user is as follows.

A) Method of Displaying Characters and Pictures on Display Unit For example, the name of the sender is searched from the sender number of the knock transmitted, and the corresponding sender name is displayed on the display unit 15. Here, in order to search for the caller name from the caller number, a telephone directory area (a memory area in which the caller number is associated with the caller name) provided in the data memory 14b is used. . Therefore, the user can use the display unit 1
By confirming the sender's name displayed in 5, it is possible to determine from whom the knock was sent.

B) Method of Converting and Outputting to Sound, Light, etc. for Each Knock Sender First, the user must convert knock to sound for each knock sender and output it, or convert it to light and output it. Is designated in advance (hereinafter referred to as knock conversion designation). The portable terminal 100 is provided with a conversion unit (not shown) for converting knock data into sound or light. The conversion unit includes a sound source unit capable of controlling sound volume, sound quality, and pitch, Lights,
A light source unit capable of controlling turning off. When a knock arrives at portable terminal 100, control unit 12 compares the caller number of the transmitted data with the telephone number stored in the telephone directory area of data memory 14b, and specifies the caller. Then, the control unit 12 transfers the data relating to the knock conversion designation described above to the conversion unit. The conversion unit performs sound or light reproduction in accordance with the data. For example,
When a knock is received from the caller A, a setting is made so that a ringing tone notifying of an incoming call is made three times in a predetermined rhythm. Further, when a knock is received from the sender B, the display unit 15 is turned on at a predetermined cycle. By using the setting described above and the knock reproduction setting together, the user who has received the knock can easily identify from whom the knock was sent.

C) Method of Creating Knock Sequence Data Specific to Each Caller First, the user freely sets the knock intensity and the knock rhythm, and sets the unique knock sequence data (hereinafter, the original knock sequence data). Knock). When the creation of the original knock is completed, the original knock is stored in the data memory 14b of the mobile terminal 100. When the user transmits the original knock, the original knock can be transmitted to the portable terminal of the transmission partner by operating the button without inputting the knock. On the other hand, the original knock receiver, which is the transmission destination of the original knock, can specify from whom the knock was sent from the knock strength and knock timing. In this way, the original knock receiver can specify the sender from the knock strength and knock timing without checking the caller number or the like displayed on the display unit 15.

Ii) Transition from reception of knock to other communication Next, the user who has received the knock receives another communication (for example,
The case where voice communication or the like is performed will be described. When a knock is received, a timer (not shown) of the portable terminal 100 that has received the knock is activated, and starts measuring time. If the user presses the off-hook button within a predetermined time after the timer is started, the telephone number of the knock sender is read from the received knock stored in the data memory 14b, and the call is automatically transmitted. Therefore, the user can perform voice communication with the knock originator by a simple operation. When the knock is transmitted, the telephone number of the knock transmission partner is stored in the data memory 14b for a predetermined period (the time is measured using the above-described timer or the like) after the transmission of the knock. Therefore, when the user presses the voice transmission button within the predetermined period, it is possible to make a voice call with the knock transmission partner.

Iii) Guarantee of Communication Next, a method of determining whether or not a knock has reached a transmission partner will be described. First, the mobile device that received the knock,
Sends a receipt notification signal to the sender. In the mobile terminal on the knock transmission side, a timer (not shown) is sent simultaneously with the knock transmission.
Reset and start measuring time. Then, it is determined whether or not a reception notification signal is sent within a preset time. When the reception notification signal is received within the set time, it is determined that the knock has arrived at the transmission partner, and the display unit 15 displays that the knock has arrived.

On the other hand, if the reception notification signal is not sent within the preset time, it is determined that the knock has not reached the transmission partner, and the display unit 15 displays that the knock has not been reached. After confirming the message displayed on the display unit 15, the user performs a knock input again. In this way, the user transmitting the knock determines whether the knock has reached the transmission partner.

Iv) Processing When Knock Cannot Be Received Here, when the knock does not make sense on the portable terminal that has received the knock (for example, when the portable terminal is put in a bag and the knock is played by the user). May not be detected). Therefore, a knock effective mode in which knock reproduction is performed when a knock is received and a knock invalid mode in which knock reproduction is not performed are provided in the mobile terminal, and a knock reproduction mode (knock effective mode or knock invalid mode) is set by a user's button operation. It can be so. Here, when the knock arrives while the mobile terminal is set to the knock invalid mode, the knock is not reproduced, or the sound is converted to light or light instead of reproducing the knock, and the reproduction is performed. The user is notified that knocking is being received. Instead of reproducing the knock, the reproduction can be performed by converting the sound into light or light. Of course, the reproduction may be performed together with the knock reproduction. However, the fact that there is a knock incoming call is recorded in the knock incoming call history. By leaving a record in the knock incoming history, if the knock was not played back, or if the user did not notice despite playing back by converting to sound or light instead of playing the knock, Also, the user can confirm that the knock has arrived, and can reply the knock to the knock sender.

As described above, the knock reproduction mode can be set by the user's button operation.
May grasp the use situation and automatically set the knock reproduction mode. For setting the knock reproduction mode, for example, the following situations can be considered as judgment materials. During charging at the charging stand → set to knock invalid mode During a call, during button operation → setting for knock valid mode As described above, for example, when the mobile terminal is placed on the charging stand and charged, the control unit 12 sets the mobile terminal to Is set to knock invalid mode. Then, if a knock arrives while the mobile terminal is set to the knock invalid mode, the knock is not played back, or instead of playing the knock, the sound is converted to light or light to be played, and the user is played back. Notifies that knock is being received. The operation of the mobile terminal in the knock invalid mode is the same as the case described above (the case where the knock valid / invalid mode is set by button operation), and a description thereof will be omitted.

When the charging of the portable terminal is completed and the user picks up the portable terminal from the charging stand, the control unit 1
2 switches from the knock invalid mode to the knock valid mode. When a knock arrives while the mobile terminal is set to the knock effective mode (for example, during a call or during a button operation), the knock is reproduced based on the received data. As described above, the control unit 12 may determine whether to reproduce the incoming knock based on the usage status of the mobile terminal, and control the reproduction of the incoming knock. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the button and set the knock reproduction mode. Therefore, the operation of the portable terminal is further simplified.

Further, a sensor capable of sensing contact with a human body may be provided in a part of the portable terminal described above, and the knock reproduction mode may be set based on the output of this sensor. This sensor is constituted by a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, and an end of the sensor is exposed on the surface of the portable terminal. The pressure sensor detects whether the pressure value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, the pressure when there is no contact with the sensor), and the temperature sensor detects whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range (for example,
(Temperature near the human body). Then, it is determined whether or not a part of the body of the user is in contact with the mobile terminal based on the detection results of the two sensors, and when it is determined that the part of the body of the user is not in contact with the mobile terminal. , The mobile terminal is set to the knock invalid mode. The operation of the portable terminal 100 when a knock is received while the knock invalid mode is set is the same as the above-described case, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, a sensor capable of sensing contact with the human body may be provided in the portable terminal, and the knock reproduction mode may be set based on the output of the sensor.

[0062]

As described above, in the communication terminal according to the present invention, the striking surface section struck by the operator, the vibration detecting section detecting the striking vibration applied to the striking surface section, and the vibration detecting section. A transmitting unit that transmits the detected vibration as vibration data, a receiving unit that receives vibration data indicating impact vibration, and generates the vibration signal based on the vibration data received by the receiving unit, and generates a vibration signal based on the vibration signal. And a vibration reproducing unit for reproducing vibration. Therefore, since the impact vibration input by the operator is reproduced by the portable terminal of the partner, there is an effect that simple intention transmission can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the mobile terminal 100;
(B) is a sectional view taken along line AA 'in (a).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in an immediate transmission mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in a post-recording transmission mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a transmission mode and transmission data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control unit 12 in data transmission.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation in a post-recording transmission mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control unit 12 in data reception.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Radio | wireless part 12 ... Control part 16 ... Vibration detection part 17 ... Vibration reproduction part 100 ... Portable terminal

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Toshiaki Sugimura 2-10-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo NTT Mobile Communications Network Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5K023 AA07 GG11 HH06 HH10 5K027 AA11 BB01 FF03 FF22 FF25 5K067 AA34 BB02 DD23 EE02 EE10 FF28 GG01 GG11 HH22 HH23 KK00

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A striking surface portion that is struck by an operator, a vibration detecting portion that detects a striking vibration applied to the striking surface portion, and a vibration detected by the vibration detecting portion is transmitted as vibration data via a network. A transmitting unit, a receiving unit that receives vibration data indicating an impact vibration via a network, a vibration that generates the vibration signal based on the vibration data received by the receiving unit, and reproduces the vibration according to the vibration signal. A communication terminal, comprising: a playback unit. 2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a voice call control unit for controlling a voice call. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a timer for measuring an interval of the impact vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, wherein the transmission unit is configured to perform the operation based on the interval measured by the timer and the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal generates vibration data. 4. The communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein the vibration data is transmitted after being stored once. 5. The vibration reproducing unit, when the vibration data includes the interval and the magnitude of the vibration, generates the vibration signal in accordance with the interval and in accordance with the magnitude. The communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein 6. When the time counted by the timer has exceeded a predetermined time, it is considered that no impact has been made, and
The communication terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the timing of the interval of the impact vibration is stopped. 7. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is a mobile phone. 8. A transmitter strikes a striking surface of a communication terminal, the communication terminal transmits a striking signal corresponding to the striking to a receiver, and the communication terminal on the receiving side transmits the striking signal via a network. An information transmission method, comprising: receiving and generating vibration by the impact signal.