JP2005110039A - Portable terminal device and method for setting communication parameter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal device capable of easily performing an operation about the setting of a communication parameter used for communication with a server device. <P>SOLUTION: This portable terminal device 1 determines whether or not barcode data of a barcode read by a barcode reader 14 are data about the communication parameter used for communication with the server device 2, and stores the data in a parameter storing part 15 when the barcode data are data relating to communication with the server device 2. Then, a communication parameter can be set only by reading a barcode which is a communication parameter for the portable terminal device 1 by the barcode reader 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device that communicates with a server device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal device that can easily set communication parameters.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network system capable of searching and updating data managed by a server device using a mobile terminal device connected to the server device via a network such as a LAN, a WAN, or a public line network has been put into practical use. It is popular. In this network system, the mobile terminal device requests processing such as data search and update from the server device, and the server device executes the requested processing. Further, the server device transmits a data input request and a processing result necessary for the requested processing to the mobile terminal device. When there is an input request from the server device, the mobile terminal device transmits the requested data to the server device, and when receiving the processing result from the server device, the mobile terminal device performs an output process such as displaying the processing result on the display unit. Do.

  As this type of network system, there are a system for managing the inventory status of goods, a system for managing the delivery status of packages, and the like. For example, in a system for managing the inventory status of articles, a person who receives and ships articles possesses a portable terminal device, and inputs arrival data such as the type and number of articles received when the article is received into the portable terminal device. The received data is transmitted to the server device. Further, shipment data such as the type and number of articles shipped at the time of shipment of the articles is input to the portable terminal device, and the shipment data is transmitted to the server device. The server device manages the inventory status of the article based on the receipt data and the shipment data sent from the mobile terminal device. The receipt data and the shipment data are input to the portable terminal device by operating an input key of an operation unit provided in the portable terminal device, reading a barcode with a built-in or connected barcode reader, and the like.

  As described above, the mobile terminal device can search and update data managed by the server device by communicating with the server device. However, communication parameters (IP address, etc.) for communicating with the server device can be set. It is necessary to set in advance. In other words, a portable terminal device in which no communication parameter is set cannot connect to the server device, and cannot search or update data managed by the server device.

  Communication parameters in a conventional portable terminal device are set by, for example, an operator operating the operation unit of the portable terminal device to input communication parameters, or setting communication parameters to be set in the portable terminal device to another device (for example, a personal computer). This is done by connecting the other device and the mobile terminal device via a data communication line (for example, RS-232C) and transmitting communication parameters to the mobile terminal device.

Patent Document 1 describes a barcode reader that is not a mobile terminal device that communicates with a server device, but that sets various parameters used during operation by reading a barcode.
JP 63-292282 A

  However, in the method in which the operator operates the operation unit of the mobile terminal device to input communication parameters and sets the communication parameters such as the IP address in the mobile terminal device, the type selection, communication parameter is set for each communication parameter to be set. Input has to be repeated, and the operator's input operation for setting communication parameters is complicated, and there is a problem that setting communication parameters is troublesome.

  Also, in the method of setting communication parameters by transmitting communication parameters from another device to the mobile terminal device, the mobile terminal device body is sent to the place where the other device is installed, and then the mobile device in which the communication parameters are set There is a problem that the mobile terminal device cannot be used immediately because it has to wait for the terminal device to be sent back.

  Note that Patent Document 1 is a barcode reader that facilitates operations related to setting various parameters used during operation, and is a proposal that facilitates setting of communication parameters in a portable terminal device that communicates with a server device. There wasn't.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device that can easily perform an operation related to setting of communication parameters used for communication with a server device.

  The mobile terminal device of the present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.

(1) In a portable terminal device including a communication unit that communicates with a server device based on a communication parameter held by a parameter holding unit,
A barcode data receiving means connected to the barcode reader and receiving an input of barcode data read from the barcode by the barcode reader;
Control means for determining whether the barcode data received by the barcode data receiving means is data relating to the communication parameter, and for holding the barcode data in the parameter holding means if it is data relating to the communication parameter; It is equipped with.

  In this configuration, the barcode data receiving means accepts the input of the barcode data read from the barcode by the barcode reader connected to the main body, and the barcode data received by the control means is the data relating to the communication parameter. Determine if. And if it is the data concerning a communication parameter, the barcode data received this time will be held in the parameter holding means.

  Therefore, the communication parameter can be set simply by reading the barcode whose barcode data is the communication parameter with a barcode reader connected to the main body, and the communication parameter can be set accurately and easily. Further, the barcode whose barcode data is a communication parameter may be printed on paper or displayed on the screen of a display device. In this case, by inputting the identification number of the mobile terminal device on a page published on the Internet, it is possible to obtain a barcode image using the communication parameters for this mobile terminal device as barcode data. For example, a barcode used for setting communication parameters, that is, a barcode read by a barcode reader when setting communication parameters can be quickly obtained. Further, in order to prevent theft of communication parameters with the server device and increase security, it is necessary to input a password when downloading a barcode image using the communication parameters as barcode data.

(2) In the portable terminal device including the communication unit that communicates with the server device based on the communication parameter held by the parameter holding unit,
Barcode reading means for scanning the barcode and reading barcode data from the barcode;
Control for determining whether the barcode data read from the barcode by the barcode reading means is data relating to the communication parameter, and holding the barcode data in the parameter holding means if it is data relating to the communication parameter Means.

  In this configuration, the barcode reader is built in the portable terminal device, and the communication parameters are set simply by reading the barcode whose barcode data is the communication parameter with the barcode reader built in the main body as in (1) above. Communication parameters can be set accurately and easily.

  (3) If the bar code data includes predetermined specific data, the control means determines that the bar code data is data related to the communication parameter.

  In this configuration, since barcode data including predetermined specific data is determined to be data related to the communication parameter, the operator sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal device to the communication parameter setting mode, the normal mode, etc. There is no need to switch the communication parameters, and communication parameters can be set more easily.

  (4) The control means transmits the barcode data determined not to be data related to the communication parameter to the server device by the communication means.

  In this configuration, data to be transmitted to the server device can also be input by reading a barcode.

  According to the present invention, communication parameters can be set only by reading a bar code whose bar code data is a communication parameter with a bar code reader connected to the main body or a bar code reader built in the main body. Setting is accurate and easy.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which a mobile terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 1 is a portable terminal device, and 2 is a server device. The server device 2 is connected to a network 3 such as a LAN. Reference numeral 4 denotes a wireless master device that is an access point of the mobile terminal device 1, and 5 denotes a HUB that connects the wireless master device to the network 3. Reference numeral 6 denotes a public line network, and reference numeral 7 denotes a router. The server apparatus 2 includes a wireless communication unit 2a that performs wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The network 3 is also connected with an information processing device such as a personal computer (not shown) that can search and update data managed by the server device 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal device 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the main body, a first wireless communication unit 12 that performs wireless communication using a spread spectrum method (so-called SS wireless method), and wireless communication that uses Bluetooth (BT). 2 wireless communication unit 13, a barcode reader 14 for reading a barcode, and a parameter holding unit 15 for holding communication parameters such as an IP address used for communication with server device 2. In addition, although not shown, the mobile terminal device 1 is provided with an operation unit on which a key for an operator to perform an input operation and a display unit for displaying a screen corresponding to an input to the main body.

  The mobile terminal device 1 can directly communicate with the server device 2 by the wireless communication by Bluetooth with the wireless communication unit 2a of the server device 2 in the second wireless communication unit 13. In addition, the mobile terminal device 1 can communicate with the server device 2 by the first wireless communication unit 12 through the SS wireless communication with the wireless master device 4. In this case, communication is performed via the wireless master device 4, the HUB 5, and the network 3. Further, the mobile terminal device 1 can communicate with the server device 2 via the public line network 6, the router 7, and the network 3. In this case, for the mobile terminal device 1 that does not have a configuration for connecting to the public line network 6 (mobile phone function), a mobile card such as a PHS card, a DoPa card, or a FOMA card having a mobile phone function or (DoPa FOMA is a registered trademark), and can communicate with the server device 2 by using a mobile phone. Communication between the mobile terminal device 1 and the mobile card (or mobile phone) may be wired or wireless communication such as Bluetooth. Further, the mobile terminal device 1 having the mobile phone function can communicate with the server device 2 using this function. The portable terminal device 1 can switch which communication path described above communicates with the server device 2.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal device 1 starts the process shown in FIG. 3 when an operation start key provided on the main body is operated. The portable terminal device 1 waits for input to the main body (s1). When there is an input to the main body of the mobile terminal device 1, it is sent from the server device 2 whether the current input is an input by key operation of the operation unit or an input by reading a barcode with the barcode reader 14. It is determined whether the received data is (s2, 3). The portable terminal device 1 determines that the input is data sent from the server device 1 when it is determined that the input is not a key operation of the operation unit and a barcode read by the barcode reader 14.

  When the portable terminal device 1 determines that the current input is an input by a key operation of the operation unit, the mobile terminal device 1 determines whether the operation is an end key operation performed at the end of the operation of the main body (s5). Here, if it is determined that the operation is an end key operation, the operation of the main body is stopped and the present process is terminated. If it is determined in s5 that the input is made by a key operation other than the end key, processing (other processing) corresponding to the key operated this time is executed (s6). As other processing related to s6, the data input this time is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the control unit 11 as data to be transmitted to the server device 2, or stored in this memory. For example, a process of searching for data and sending a request for updating to the server apparatus 2 together with the data being stored. The data transmitted to the server device 2 (data stored in the memory) may include barcode barcode data read by the barcode reader 14. In other words, data to be transmitted to the server device 2 can be input to the mobile terminal device 1 by the barcode reader 14.

  If the mobile terminal device 1 determines that the current input is data sent from the server device 2, the mobile terminal device 1 executes processing such as displaying a screen based on the data sent from the server device 2 on the display unit. (Processing based on data sent from the server device 2 is executed) (s4). The data sent from the server device 2 includes a transmission request for necessary data in response to a processing request sent to the server device 2 earlier, a processing result of the requested processing, and the like. The portable terminal device 1 transmits a processing request to the server device 2 or the data requested from the server device 2 in s6 when a transmission key provided in the operation unit is operated.

  If the mobile terminal device 1 determines that the current input is a barcode read by the barcode reader 14, the barcode data input this time is used for communication with the server device 2 such as an IP address. It is determined whether the data is related to the communication parameter (s7). If the barcode data input this time includes predetermined specific data, the mobile terminal device 1 determines that the barcode data is data related to the communication parameter, and conversely, the specific data If it is not included, it is determined that the barcode data is not data related to the communication parameter. For example, if the head of the input barcode data is predetermined specific data [AAA], the mobile terminal device 1 determines that this is the data related to the communication parameter, otherwise, the communication parameter is set as the communication parameter. It is determined that the data is not such. In this case, data following [AAA], which is specific data, is data related to the communication parameter.

  In the above description, the data related to the communication parameter is assumed to have the specific data at the beginning, but the position other than the start, for example, the end may be the specific data.

  When the mobile terminal device 1 determines that the data is not related to the communication parameter in s8, the mobile terminal device 1 determines whether the barcode data input this time is data related to the end of the operation of the main body (s9), and the barcode related to the end of the operation If it is data, the operation of the main body is stopped and this processing is terminated. If it is determined in s9 that the data is not related to the end of the operation of the main body, the barcode data input this time is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the control unit 11 (s10). The bar code data temporarily stored in the memory in s10 is data used for internal processing of the mobile terminal device 1 main body or data transmitted to the server device 2. If the portable terminal device 1 determines that the data is related to the communication parameter used for communication with the server device 2 in s7, the communication parameter based on the barcode data input this time is held in the parameter holding unit 15 (s8). .

  When the portable terminal device 1 completes the processes related to s4, s6, s8, and s10, the process returns to s1 and repeats the process.

  As described above, the mobile terminal device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to set the communication parameters used for communication with the server device 2 by inputting the barcode with the barcode reader 14, input related to the end of the operation of the body, Processing and data to be transmitted to the server device 2 can be input. In particular, since communication parameters can be set for the mobile terminal device 1 by reading a barcode with the barcode reader 14, communication parameters can be set accurately and easily in the mobile terminal device 1. Further, the operator does not perform any special operation when setting communication parameters in the mobile terminal device 1, and only reads the barcode whose barcode data is a communication parameter for the mobile terminal device 1 with the barcode reader 14. Good. In other words, the operator does not need to perform an operation such as switching the mobile terminal device 1 to the communication parameter setting mode.

  Next, a method of providing a bar code using bar code data as a communication parameter for the mobile terminal device 1 will be described for an operator who sets communication parameters for the mobile terminal device 1. This bar code is issued by the administrator who manages the server device 2.

  For example, an operator who sets communication parameters in the mobile terminal device 1 issues communication parameters such as an IP address necessary for the mobile terminal device 1 to communicate with the server device 2 to the manager of the server device 2 Request. This request may be made by telephone, electronic mail or the like. On the administrator side, it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal device 1 is allowed to communicate with the server device 2, and the mobile terminal device 1 is registered in the server device 2 when the communication is permitted. Specifically, a terminal identification code for identifying the mobile terminal device 1 and an IP address assigned to the mobile terminal device 1 are registered in association with each other. Then, after the registration to the server device 2 is completed, a barcode with the communication parameters such as the IP address for the portable terminal device 1 registered this time as barcode data is printed. The operation related to the registration of the mobile terminal device 1 to the server device 2 may be performed by the server device 1 main body or by an information processing device such as a personal computer connected to the network 3. The barcode printing using the communication parameter as the barcode data may be printed by a printer connected to the device that has performed the operation related to the registration of the mobile terminal device 1 in the server device 2, or may be performed by a network. You may print with the network printer connected to No.3.

  The administrator may mail the paper on which the barcode is printed to the operator who has requested the issuance of the communication parameter this time. In this case, it takes several days for the paper to reach the operator. It is preferable to do this. In the above description, the administrator prints the barcode with the communication parameter as the barcode data on the paper. However, the administrator sends an e-mail with the barcode image file with the communication parameter as the barcode data as an attached file. The operator who has requested the issuance of the communication parameter this time may be transmitted, and the operator who receives this e-mail may print the attached file.

  The operator reads the barcode obtained by any one of the above methods with the barcode reader 14 of the mobile terminal device 1 that sets the communication parameter this time, so that the communication parameter necessary for communication with the server device 2 can be obtained by the parameter holding unit. 15, the communication parameters for the portable terminal device 1 can be set accurately and easily.

  Further, in the method of transmitting a barcode image file with the communication parameter as barcode data as an attached file of an e-mail, an operator who has received the e-mail opens the attached image file and opens a personal computer or the like. By reading the barcode displayed on the screen with the barcode reader 14 of the mobile terminal device 1 that sets the communication parameter this time, the parameter holding unit 15 holds the communication parameter necessary for communication with the server device 2. You can also.

  Furthermore, a request for issuing communication parameters such as an IP address necessary for the mobile terminal device 1 to communicate with the server device 2 may be made on the Internet. Specifically, the administrator of the server apparatus 2 discloses a page for accepting a request for issuing a communication parameter such as an IP address necessary for communicating with the server apparatus 2 via a Web server on the Internet, and the mobile terminal apparatus The operator who sets the communication parameter to 1 accesses this page and requests to issue the communication parameter. At this time, the operator inputs data such as a terminal identification code for identifying the mobile terminal device 1 that requests the issuance of communication parameters. Then, the Web server sends the request received on this page to the server device 2, and the server device 2 executes the process related to the registration of the mobile terminal device 1 that is requested to issue the communication parameter described above. After that, in the Web server, the page accessed by the operator is the bar code data from the page where the communication parameter issuance is requested to the communication parameter such as the IP address for the mobile terminal device 1 registered by the server device 2 this time. Switch to the barcode image page. As a result, the operator, after requesting the issuance of communication parameters such as an IP address necessary for communicating with the server device 2, immediately receives the barcode data with the communication parameters for communicating with the server device 2 as barcode data. An image can be obtained, and communication parameters can be set to the mobile terminal device 1 quickly, accurately, and easily. When setting communication parameters, the barcode displayed on the screen or the barcode of the paper on which this screen is printed may be read by the barcode reader 14 of the mobile terminal device 1.

  Further, in order to prevent theft of communication parameters used for communication with the server apparatus 2 and to increase security, the password is used when accessing a page that requests the issuance of communication parameters or when the issuance of communication parameters is requested. You may make it input.

  Note that the barcode using the communication parameter as barcode data may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode.

  In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal device 1 has the built-in barcode reader 14. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the barcode reader 14 is connected to the barcode reader 21 by an interface 20 (I / F 20). ). If it does in this way, the cost reduction of the portable terminal device 1 main body can be aimed at.

  Since the barcode reader 21 is not always used, there is no particular problem even if the barcode reader 21 is shared by a plurality of portable terminal devices 1. The mobile terminal device 1 may be an in-vehicle type or a stationary type.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system to which the portable terminal device which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal device which is implementation implementation of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal device which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system to which the portable terminal device which is another embodiment of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1-portable terminal device 2-server device 3-network 11-control unit 14-bar code reader 15-parameter holding unit

Claims (5)

Based on the communication parameters held by the parameter holding means, in the mobile terminal device provided with the communication means for communicating with the server device,
A barcode data receiving means connected to the barcode reader and receiving an input of barcode data read from the barcode by the barcode reader;
Control means for determining whether the barcode data received by the barcode data receiving means is data relating to the communication parameter, and for holding the barcode data in the parameter holding means if it is data relating to the communication parameter; , A portable terminal device. Based on the communication parameters held by the parameter holding means, in the mobile terminal device provided with the communication means for communicating with the server device,
Barcode reading means for scanning the barcode and reading barcode data from the barcode;
Control for determining whether the barcode data read from the barcode by the barcode reading means is data relating to the communication parameter, and holding the barcode data in the parameter holding means if it is data relating to the communication parameter And a portable terminal device.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means determines that the barcode data is data related to the communication parameter if the barcode data includes predetermined specific data. .   The portable terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means transmits bar code data determined not to be data related to a communication parameter to the server device by the communication means. In a communication parameter setting method for setting a communication parameter in a mobile terminal device provided with a communication unit that communicates with a server device based on a communication parameter held by a parameter holding unit,
A device that can access a page published on the Internet, accesses a predetermined page, downloads a barcode image using the communication parameters for the mobile terminal device as barcode data, and downloads the downloaded barcode image Parameter setting method in which a barcode reader connected to or incorporated in the mobile terminal device body is read and held in a parameter holding means as a communication parameter.

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