JP2002324220A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal in which the antenna of an IC card is arranged so that the portable terminal can be made thin in the case of mounting an IC card function on the portable terminal. SOLUTION: An antenna 15 of an IC card is projected from the back face of a first case body 10 so that a distance d1 with an LCD panel 12 and an ear receiver 13 can be made larger only by thickness t1 of the antenna 15 of the IC card, and that thickness d2 of the first case body 10 can be made thinner than that in a conventional constitution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an arrangement of an antenna of an IC card when an IC card function is mounted on a portable terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been an attempt to mount a non-contact type IC card (including a read / write function) function, which has been standardized in ISO14443 or the like, on a portable terminal. In this case, it is desirable that the antenna unit of the non-contact type IC card is mounted as close to the front surface (back surface) of the portable terminal as possible. The reason will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an antenna unit of a non-contact type IC card when a mobile phone is assumed as a mobile terminal.

An LCD panel 10 is provided on the surface of a housing 100.
2. The ear receiver 103 is arranged. The LCD panel 102 and the ear receiver 103 are made of metal and adversely affect communication by the antenna unit 105 of the non-contact type IC card. That is, the communication distance of the antenna unit 105 of the non-contact type IC card is deteriorated. Therefore, in order to secure a stable communication distance of the antenna unit 105 of the non-contact type IC card, the antenna unit 105 of the non-contact type IC card is
It is preferable to make the distance d1 between the CD panel 102 and the ear receiver 103 as large as possible. Therefore, the antenna unit 105 of the non-contact type IC card is connected to the housing 1.
The distance d1 can be increased by arranging it near the front surface (back surface) opposite to the front surface on which the LCD panel 102 and the like of 00 are arranged. Here, in order to increase the distance d1, it is preferable to increase the thickness d2 of the housing 100.

[0004]

However, today's portable telephones are required to be as thin as possible. On the other hand, increasing the thickness d2 of the housing 100
This increases the thickness of the mobile phone, which is contrary to the demand for thinning.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device in which an antenna of an IC card is arranged so that the communication device can be made thinner when the communication device such as a portable terminal has an IC card function. And

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a communication device. A communication device according to the present invention includes a metal holding unit and an antenna. The metal holding part is arranged on a surface of the first housing. The antenna protrudes from the back surface of the first housing. Note that the metal holding unit here includes, for example, an LCD panel and an ear receiver.

According to the invention configured as described above, since the antenna protrudes from the back surface of the first housing, even if the first housing is thin, the distance from the metal holding portion by the protruding length is obtained. Can be increased. Therefore, the communication distance of the antenna can be secured.

In the communication device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the surface of the antenna is formed of a flexible material.

[0009] It is conceivable that the antenna is unexpectedly bumped against an object due to the protrusion of the antenna.
Since the surface of the antenna is formed of a flexible material, it is possible to prevent the antenna from being damaged.

It is preferable that the communication device according to the present invention further includes a long-distance communication antenna that can be used for communication at a longer distance than the antenna, and a second housing to which the long-distance communication antenna is attached.

Since the telecommunications antenna is mounted on the second housing, it is mounted on a housing different from the first housing on which the antenna is mounted. Therefore, the distance between the long-distance communication antenna and the antenna can be increased, and the communication distance of the antenna can be secured.

[0012] In the communication device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first housing and the second housing are foldably joined. In this case, the antenna is provided on the opposite side of the joint between the first housing and the second housing. In addition, the telecommunications antenna is provided on the same side as the joint between the first housing and the second housing.

When the first housing and the second housing are folded,
The antenna and the telecommunications antenna are located on opposite sides of each other. Therefore, the distance between the long-distance communication antenna and the antenna can be increased, and the communication distance of the antenna can be secured.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments of the present invention, description will be made assuming a mobile phone as a mobile terminal. However, the present invention can be applied not only to mobile phones but also to mobile terminals such as PDAs. As the shape of the mobile phone, any shape such as a stick type can be considered.

A mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention has a function of a non-contact IC card, and is characterized by an antenna arrangement of the non-contact IC card. However, non-contact I
Before describing the arrangement of the antenna of the C card, a functional configuration of the mobile phone will be described with reference to a functional block diagram of the mobile phone.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a voice input unit 41, a voice output unit 42, a digital signal processing unit 43, and an RF (Radio Frequency) input / output unit 4.
4. Telecommunications antenna 22, control unit 50, operation unit 4.
6, a display unit 47, an external I / F unit 48, a power supply unit 49, a non-contact IC card control unit 14, and an antenna 15.

The audio input unit 41 converts an analog audio signal from a microphone into a digital signal. Voice input unit 41
Has a microphone amplifier, a filter, and an A / D converter.
The audio output unit 42 outputs the received digital audio signal as audio by driving a speaker. Audio output unit 42
Has a D / A converter, a filter, and a speaker amplifier.

The digital signal processor 43 encodes a digital audio signal and decodes the digital audio signal. The digital signal processing unit 43 has a dedicated circuit for convolutional coding centered on DSP, slot interleaving, delay detection, convolutional decoding, and the like.

The RF (Radio Frequency) input / output unit 44
Perform high frequency transmission and reception. The RF input / output unit 44 includes a quadrature modulator,
It has a gain amplifier, power amplifier, diversity, mixer and IF demodulator. Telecommunications antenna 22
Transmits the RF signal sent from the RF input / output unit 44,
Alternatively, it receives an RF signal and sends it to the RF input / output unit 44. The telecommunications antenna 22 is an antenna 1 described later.
5 can be used for long-distance communication.

The control unit 50 is a control unit for realizing the function as a mobile phone, and includes a CPU, an EEPROM, a Flash ROM, an SRA
M, etc.

The operation unit 46 has a keyboard, a JOG dial, and a JOY stick. The display unit 47 has an LCD driver and an LCD display device. The external I / F unit 48
It has a communication interface circuit and a 16-pin connector.
The power supply unit 49 includes a power supply circuit that generates and supplies power required for each block based on a battery power supply, a battery charging circuit, and an overcurrent / overvoltage protection circuit.

The non-contact IC card control unit 14 includes a normal IC
(Integrated Circuit), and the control unit 50 controls data exchange and the like.

The antenna 15 is connected to an external R / W (Read / Wri
te) and is used when the non-contact IC card controller 14 exchanges data with an external card as an R / W. The antenna 15 is mounted as close to the surface of the portable terminal as possible. The antenna 15 normally performs communication by holding or touching the external R / W and the external card.

Next, features of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a rear view (FIG. 2A) and a side view (FIG. 2B) of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention. A mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing 10, a second housing 20, and a joint 30. The first case 10 and the second case 20 are foldably joined at their ends by a joint 30. In addition, folding is performed as shown in FIG.
It is possible in the direction of the arrow.

The first housing 10 includes an LCD panel 12, an ear receiver 13, a non-contact IC card controller 14, and an antenna 15.

The LCD panel 12 is a panel for displaying characters, images, and the like to the user of the mobile phone, and has a metal. The LCD panel 12 is arranged on the surface of the first housing 10. The ear receiver 13 is for the user of the mobile phone to listen to sound by putting his / her ear, and has metal. The ear receiver 13 is also arranged on the surface of the first housing 10 on which the LCD panel 12 is arranged. Note that LC
The D panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 correspond to a metal holding unit that holds metal.

The non-contact IC card control section 14 is for making the portable telephone function as a non-contact IC card. The non-contact IC card control unit 14 is built in the first housing 10.

The antenna 15 is an antenna used by the non-contact IC card control unit 14 for performing communication. The communication distance of the antenna 15 is usually a very short distance of about several cm to several tens of cm. Therefore, when communication using the antenna 15 is performed, it is preferable that the communication target be held over the antenna 15 or touched lightly. The antenna 15
Is composed of a printed board or a flexible board.

The antenna 15 is provided so as to protrude from the back surface of the first housing 10. The “back side” refers to the LCD
A surface facing the surface of the first housing 10 on which the panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 are arranged.

The surface of the antenna 15 or the whole thereof is formed of a flexible material. As the flexible material, for example, a rubber (rubber) material or a soft resin having cushioning properties may be used. In the case where the surface of the antenna 15 is formed of a flexible material, for example, a panel (emblem) formed of a flexible material is attached to the antenna 15 with a label seal formed of the flexible material.
5 and the like.

The antenna 15 is located on the opposite side of the joint 30 and is far away from the joint 30.

The second housing 20 is provided with a telecommunications antenna 2.
2 is provided. The telecommunications antenna 22 is the antenna 1
This antenna can be used for communication at a distance longer than 5. The telecommunications antenna 22 is used when performing communication as a mobile phone. The telecommunications antenna 22 is located on the same side as the joint 30 and is located close to the joint 30.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the mobile phone functions as a non-contact IC card, the antenna 15 is held over or slightly touched the external R / W and the external card at a distance of several cm to several tens of cm. At this time, since the antenna 15 protrudes from the back surface of the first housing 10, the position of the antenna 15 is easy to understand.

Here, since the antenna 15 protrudes from the back surface of the first housing 10, it may unexpectedly hit an external R / W or the like. As a result, the mobile phone is shocked and broken. Or, it damages a clean surface, especially like a modern mobile phone. However, since the surface or the whole of the antenna 15 is formed of a flexible material, it can withstand an impact and can be prevented from being damaged.

By holding the antenna 15 over an external R / W or the like, the non-contact IC card controller 14 and the external R / W
Etc. communicate. At this time, if there is metal near the antenna 15, communication will be adversely affected. Portions of the mobile phone having metal are, for example, the LCD panel 12, the ear receiver 13, and the telecommunications antenna 22.

Here, since the antenna 15 protrudes from the back surface of the first housing 10, it is possible to prevent the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 from adversely affecting communication.
The reason will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an enlarged side view of the mobile phone near the antenna 15. Antenna 15, LCD panel 12 and ear receiver 13
Is d1 = d2-t2. Where d
2 is the thickness of the first housing 10, and t2 is the thickness of the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13. Since the antenna 15 protrudes from the back surface of the first housing 10, the first housing 10
, The distance between the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 can be increased.

This is apparent from comparison with a comparative example in which the antenna 15 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3B, d1 = d2-t2-t1. That is, in the present embodiment, d1 is increased by t1 as compared with the comparative example as shown in FIG. As the distance d1 is longer, the adverse effect on communication by the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 can be prevented.

Therefore, since the antenna 15 protrudes from the back surface of the first casing 10, it is possible to prevent the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 from adversely affecting communication.
When the distance d1 is equal to the case where the configuration shown in FIG.
Can be reduced by t1.

Further, the antenna 15 is provided on the first housing 10 and the long-distance communication antenna 22 is provided on the second housing 20, so that adverse effects on communication by the long-distance communication antenna 22 can be prevented. . This is because the distance between the antenna 15 and the telecommunications antenna 22 can be increased.

Here, a positional relationship between the antenna 15 and the long-distance communication antenna 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the mobile phone is folded in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The side surface of the mobile phone is substantially rectangular, and the antenna 15 and the telecommunications antenna 22 are located on diagonal lines and are far apart. Therefore,
An adverse effect on communication by the long-distance communication antenna 22 can be prevented.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna 15
Protruding from the back surface of the first housing 10, the distance d1 between the LCD panel 12 and the ear receiver 13 can be increased by the protruding length t1 even if the first housing 10 is thin. Therefore, the communication distance of the antenna 15 can be secured.

It is conceivable that the projection of the antenna 15 may cause the antenna 15 to suddenly hit an object. Can be prevented.

Further, since the telecommunications antenna 22 is mounted on the second housing 20, it is mounted on a housing different from the first housing 10 on which the antenna 15 is mounted. Therefore, the distance between the telecommunications antenna 22 and the antenna 15 can be increased, and the antenna 15
Communication distance can be secured.

Moreover, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are folded, the antenna 15 and the long-distance communication antenna 22 are located on a diagonal line on the side surface of the mobile phone. Therefore, the telecommunications antenna 22 and the antenna 15
, And the communication distance of the antenna 15 can be secured.

[0046]

According to the present invention, since the antenna protrudes from the back surface of the first housing, even if the first housing is thin, the distance from the metal holding portion is increased by the protruding length. Can be. Therefore, the communication distance of the antenna can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view (FIG. 2A) and a side view (FIG. 2B) of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a mobile phone near an antenna 15 (FIG. 3A) and a side view of a comparative example having a configuration incorporating the antenna 15 (FIG. 3B).

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the mobile phone is folded in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 (b).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement of an antenna unit of a non-contact type IC card when a mobile phone is assumed as a mobile terminal in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st housing | casing 12 LCD panel (metal holding | maintenance part) 13 Ear receiver (metal holding | maintenance part) 14 Non-contact IC card control part 15 Antenna 20 Second housing 22 Telecommunications antenna 30 Joint part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication device comprising: a metal holding portion disposed on a front surface of a first housing; and an antenna protruding from a back surface of the first housing. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the antenna is formed of a flexible material. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: a long-distance communication antenna that can be used for communication at a longer distance than the antenna; and a second housing to which the long-distance communication antenna is attached. A communication device comprising: 4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the first housing and the second housing are foldably joined, and the antenna is connected to the first housing and the second housing. A communication device provided on a side opposite to a joint portion with a housing, wherein the long-distance communication antenna is provided on the same side as a joint portion between the first housing and the second housing.