JP2005135307A - Terminal equipment and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide terminal equipment which is reduced in size and weight without the need for carrying important archive data, and to provide a communication method. <P>SOLUTION: As shown in the figure, the terminal equipment 100 is provided with an input device 106 and an output device 107. The input device 106 configures a first projection means showing the image of an input means by projecting light at the flat surface (a first projection surface) of a desk, a notebook, and the like. The input means comprises a keys-arranged keyboard (a pseudo-keyboard 106a) and a pad (a pseudo-mouse pad 106b) recognizing the vertical and horizontal travel of a contact surface touched by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device and a communication method that output processing result information based on operation information.

  In recent years, importance of information has been demanded socially, and information processing using a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a PDA is indispensable. Under these circumstances, in addition to improving the technology of notebook computers, etc., as the price of various mobile communications services and infrastructure development progress, it will be necessary to access the Internet and local networks within companies, etc. as appropriate, regardless of time and place. Mobile data communication services that enable them are beginning to spread.

  That is, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, information processing is performed in a terminal device 1100 such as a notebook personal computer (S501), and if necessary, the information server 1900 via the mobile communication network 1300 or the Internet / intranet 1400. Information is downloaded (S502), processing is performed (S503), and information is uploaded again (S504).

In such a mobile data communication service, a technique is disclosed in which an information server connected to a communication network performs processing based on information input from a terminal device in order to reduce processing load on the terminal device. (For example, patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-135292 (paragraphs “0027” to “0031”, FIG. 3)

  However, even when the information server performs processing as described above, when using the mobile data communication service, the user must carry a bulky terminal device such as a notebook personal computer to the outside. Further, since data is stored in the terminal device, there is a risk of leakage or loss of stored data due to damage or misplacement of the terminal device body when carrying it.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device and a communication method that are reduced in size and weight and do not need to carry important storage data.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the present invention is a terminal device that transmits operation information to an information processing device that performs processing based on operation information, and (B) by projecting light, The first projection means for projecting the image of the input means on the first projection plane, and (b) the operation information based on the arrival state where the light projected by the first projection means has reached the first projection plane. The gist of the present invention is a terminal device including operation information generation means for generating.

  According to the terminal device according to the first feature, it is possible to reduce the size and weight, and it is not necessary to carry important storage data. For this reason, the user can easily carry it around, and is not exposed to the risk of leakage or loss of stored data due to damage or misplacement of the terminal device body during carrying.

  In addition, the input unit of the terminal device according to the first feature may be a keyboard, and the operation information generation unit may generate the operation information based on a reaching state for each key of the keyboard. According to this terminal device, the operation of the input means becomes easy.

  Moreover, the input means of the terminal device according to the first feature may be a mouse pad, and the operation information generating means may generate operation information based on the state of arrival at the mouse pad. According to this terminal device, the operation of the input means becomes easy.

  Further, the terminal device according to the first feature includes output information acquisition means for acquiring output information that is a processing result in the information processing device from the information processing device, and output information to the second projection surface by projecting light. And a second projection means for projecting to the projector. According to this terminal device, the output result can be recognized.

  The second feature of the present invention is that (a) the terminal device projects light to project the image of the input means on the first projection surface, and (b) the terminal device projects by step A. Step B for generating operation information based on the arrival state where the emitted light has reached the first projection plane; and (C) Step C for the information processing device to perform processing based on the operation information received from the terminal device. (D) Step D in which the terminal device obtains output information that is the processing result in the information processing device from the information processing device; and (e) the terminal device projects the light to output the second information. The gist of the present invention is a communication method including step E of projecting onto a projection surface.

  According to the communication method according to the second feature, the terminal device can be reduced in size and weight, and the user does not need to carry important saved data. For this reason, the user can easily carry the terminal device and is not exposed to the risk of leaking or losing stored data due to damage or misplacement of the terminal device body during carrying.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal device and a communication method that are reduced in size and weight and do not need to carry important storage data.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic.

  A terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone, PHS, and wireless LAN, has a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving data, and can input operation information and processing results An output device capable of outputting information. The information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention performs processing based on the operation information received from the terminal device, and transmits the processing result as output information to the terminal device. As the information processing apparatus, for example, a personal computer, a server (an apparatus having an OS, an application function, a recording medium, etc.) is used.

  The direct communication destination of the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not an information server existing on the Internet, an intranet, or the like, but an application substitute on a personal computer or server used daily by a user or a mobile communication network An information processing apparatus such as a server. In addition, data transmitted and received by the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention using the mobile communication network is not application data or a file itself, but operation information for operating a device such as a personal computer or a server, or This is output information sent from the personal computer or server to the terminal device.

(First embodiment)
The terminal device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an input device 106 and an output device 107 as shown in FIG.

  The input device 106 constitutes a first projection unit that projects an image of the input unit by projecting light onto a plane (first projection plane) such as a desk or a notebook. The input means includes a keyboard on which keys are arranged (pseudo keyboard 106a), a pad (pseudo mouse pad 106b) for recognizing the amount of movement of the contact surface touched by the user in the front, rear, left, and right directions. The terminal device 100 generates operation information based on position information in contact with the image of the input means displayed by the user. Specifically, when the user touches the image of the input unit and the reflectance of light at the position changes, the terminal device 100 recognizes the position. And the terminal device 100 produces | generates operation information based on this positional information. When the input means is a keyboard, operation information corresponding to the key is generated when the user touches the key formed as an image. When the input means is a mouse pad, the user touches a pad formed as an image to generate operation information corresponding to the amount of movement in the front / rear and left / right directions.

  The output device 107 projects screen information (pseudo screen 107a) as a processing result received from the personal computer 200 or the like described later by projecting light onto a plane (second projection surface) such as a wall, a board, or a notebook. 2 projection means. The output device 107 can also be formed as a small projector capable of rotating 360 degrees with respect to the terminal device 100 main body. Note that the output device 107 may output audio data instead of screen data.

  Next, the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal device 100 and a personal computer 200 connected via a mobile communication network 300 and the Internet / intranet 400, as shown in FIG. .

  The terminal device 100 includes a main control unit 101, an output information acquisition unit 102, an operation information generation unit 103, a network control unit 104, and a mobile communication function control unit 105, in addition to the input device 106 and the output device 107 described above.

  The main control unit 101 controls the operation of each unit and data transmission / reception between the units.

  The operation information generation unit 103 generates operation information based on the position touched by the user in the image of the input means (pseudo keyboard, pseudo mouse pad) projected by the input device 106. The operation information generated in this way is transmitted to the personal computer 200 via the mobile communication network 300 and the Internet / intranet 400 by the network control unit 104, the mobile communication function control unit 105, and the main control unit 101.

  The output information acquisition unit 102 acquires output information such as screen data and audio data, which is information obtained as a result of processing in the personal computer 200, and converts it into information projected by the output device 107.

  The mobile communication function control unit 105 has a function of connecting to the mobile communication network 300 and enabling communication.

  The network control unit 104 controls data transmission / reception performed via the mobile communication network 300 described above.

  On the other hand, the personal computer 200 is based on each function (201-208) of an existing commercially available personal computer or server, and among these functions, a main control unit 201 that controls the operation of each unit and data transmission / reception between the units, The output information control unit 202 that controls output information displayed on the display device 207 such as a display and the input information control unit 203 that analyzes and controls operation information input by the input device 208 from the user have the following functions. It has been added.

  When the output information control unit 202 receives a specific instruction process from the main control unit 201, the output information control unit 202 connects the output information normally transmitted to the display device 207 to the personal computer 200 using the main control unit 201 and the network control unit 206. A function of transmitting to the terminal device 100 to be transmitted.

  In addition to the function of processing input information from the input device 208, the input information control unit 203 can also control operation information transmitted from the terminal device 100, and internal processing including the main control unit 201 can be performed from the terminal device. Has a function of reflecting the operation information.

  The information storage unit 204 stores data obtained by the user using the application control unit 205. The application control unit 205 provides various application functions. The network control unit 206 controls data transmitted / received to / from an external network.

  Next, the communication method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  (A) First, in step S101, the terminal device 100 projects an image of the input means (pseudo keyboard or pseudo mouse) on the projection surface.

  (B) Next, in step S102, the terminal device 100 generates operation information based on position information in contact with the image of the input means displayed by the user. The generated operation information is transmitted to the personal computer 200 via the mobile communication network 300 or the like (step S201 in FIG. 4).

  (C) Next, in step S103, the personal computer 200 performs information processing based on the operation information. If necessary, the personal computer 200 downloads information (step S202 in FIG. 4), uploads (step S203 in FIG. 4), etc. to the information server 900 via the Internet / intranet 400.

  (D) Next, in step S104, the terminal device 100 acquires screen information (output information) as a processing result from the personal computer 200 (step S204 in FIG. 4).

  (E) Next, in step S105, the terminal device 100 projects the output information on the projection surface by projecting light.

  The processes in steps S102 to S105 are repeated until the connection with the mobile communication network 300 or the like is disconnected. In FIG. 4, the terminal device 100 again transmits operation information (step S205 in FIG. 4), the personal computer 200 performs processing based on the operation information (step S206 in FIG. 4), and the terminal device 100 is the processing result. The screen information (output information) is received (step S207 in FIG. 4).

  Next, a sequence when the terminal device 100 and the personal computer 200 are connected will be described with reference to FIG.

  (A) First, in step S301, the terminal device 100 performs connection negotiation with the mobile communication network 300, and in step S302, the IP address acquisition negotiation is completed.

  (B) Next, in steps S303 and S304, the terminal device 100 transmits a service start request to the personal computer 200 on the network via the mobile communication network 300 and the Internet (or intranet) 400. In steps S305 and S306, the personal computer 200 that has received the service start request transmits the operation information transmitted from the terminal device 100 and output information such as screen information and audio information to the terminal device in real time. The state is adjusted, and a service start response is returned to the terminal device.

  (C) Next, in steps S <b> 307 and S <b> 308, the terminal device 100 receives the screen information (output information) transmitted from the personal computer 200 and projects the output information using the output device 107. When the user operates the input screen displayed by the input device 106, the terminal device 100 transmits operation information to the personal computer 200 in steps S 309 and S 310.

  (D) Next, in steps S309 and S310, the personal computer 200 performs processing based on the received operation information, and transmits the processing result to the terminal device 100 again. In steps S313 and S314, when the user operates the input unit displayed by the input device 106 of the terminal device 100, the terminal device 100 transmits operation information to the personal computer 200. As described above, unless a service end request is transmitted from the terminal device 100 in step S315, the processes in steps S307 to S314 are repeated.

  (E) Next, in steps S315 and S316, the terminal device 100 transmits a service end request. In step S317 and S318, the personal computer 200 that has received the service termination request makes a transition to a state in which the operation information transmitted from the terminal device 100 is not accepted, stops transmission of output information that has been transmitted in real time, and terminates the service. A response is transmitted to the terminal device 100.

  (F) Next, in step S319, the terminal device 100 releases the acquired IP address, and in step S320, disconnects the line connected to the mobile communication network.

  According to the terminal device 100 and the communication method according to the first embodiment, the devices that perform actual transmission / reception, processing, and storage of application data are the personal computer 200 and the server on the network. It only needs to have an operation information generation function, an output information acquisition function for acquiring screen data, and a mobile communication function. As a result, the terminal device can be dramatically reduced in size and weight compared to conventional notebook computers, etc. As a result, users can carry mobile data communication without having to carry a bulky device, even if they have a terminal device. It becomes.

  In addition, according to the terminal device 100 and the communication method according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary to process, edit, and store application data in the terminal device 100, and thus the specifications for processing application data do not depend on the mobile environment. In other words, the user can use the personal computer environment (processing specs, applications, browsing and processing of stored information, etc.) at any time and anywhere. For example, troublesome data in the mobile environment and personal computer environment such as home or company. Double management is no longer necessary. Further, in the first embodiment, since a device that enables transmission / reception and processing of application data itself, such as a notebook personal computer, is unnecessary on the user side, the user can install facilities for the mobile environment in mobile data communication. The investment can be significantly reduced.

  In addition, the terminal devices 100a, 100b, and 100c according to the first embodiment are lent out at a store or the like, and access to a wireless access point (wireless base station 20) provided in the store as shown in FIG. Is also possible. In this case, the terminal devices 100a, 100b, and 100c transmit / receive operation information and output information to / from the personal computer 200 on the communication network 10 and an application alternative server 500 described later via the radio base station 20. According to the terminal devices 100a, 100b, and 100c, the user does not need to carry the terminal devices 100a, 100b, and 100c themselves.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a server device (hereinafter referred to as “application replacement server”) that can replace an application function is used as an information processing device. In other words, the application replacement server is a server that replaces an application function of a conventional personal computer, server, etc., such as a Web browser function, in a server device on a mobile communication network. Mobile data communication is enabled between the application substitution server and the terminal device.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the communication system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal device 100 and an application alternative server 500 connected via a mobile communication network 600.

  Since the terminal device according to the second embodiment is the same as the terminal device according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The application substitution server 500 includes a main control unit 501, a network control unit 505, a display device 507 that provides a human interface function to a maintenance person, a display control unit 506, an input device 509, an input information control unit 510, an application A control unit (Web browser unit) 503, an application control unit (mail server unit) 504, a user database 502, and an information storage unit 501 are provided.

  The main control unit 501 controls the operation of each unit and data transmission / reception between the units.

  The network control unit 505 controls data transmitted / received to / from an external network.

  The application control unit (Web browser unit) 503 provides a Web browser function that enables Internet browsing to the terminal device 100 that communicates with the application substitution server 500. An application control unit (mail server unit) 504 provides a mailer function capable of sending and receiving mail.

  The user database 502 manages information on terminal devices connected to the application substitution server.

  The information storage unit 501 stores download data and the like obtained by the user using the application control units 503 and 504 for each user.

  Next, a communication method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  (A) First, in step S101 of FIG. 3, the terminal device 100 projects an image of input means (pseudo keyboard or pseudo mouse) on the projection surface.

  (B) Next, in step S102, the terminal device 100 generates operation information based on position information in contact with the image of the input means displayed by the user. The generated operation information is transmitted to the application alternative server 500 via the mobile communication network 600 or the like (step S401 in FIG. 8).

  (C) Next, in step S103, the application substitution server 500 performs an information processing process based on the operation information. If necessary, the application substitution server 500 downloads information to the information server 1000 (step S402 in FIG. 8), uploads (step S403 in FIG. 8), and the like via the Internet / intranet 700.

  (D) Next, in step S104, the terminal device 100 acquires screen information (output information) as a processing result from the application alternative server 500 (step S404 in FIG. 8).

  (E) Next, in step S105, the terminal device 100 projects the output information on the projection surface by projecting light.

  The processes in steps S102 to S105 are repeated until the connection with the mobile communication network 600 is disconnected. In FIG. 8, the terminal device 100 again transmits the operation information (step S405 in FIG. 8), the application substitution server 500 performs the processing based on the operation information (step S406 in FIG. 8), and the terminal device 100 obtains the processing result. Is received (output information) (step S407 in FIG. 8).

  According to the terminal device and the communication method according to the second embodiment, the application alternative server 500 is installed on the network, and the terminal device 100 is connected to the application alternative server 500. Even if no server or the like is installed, as long as the terminal device 100 is possessed, an application replaced by the application replacement server 500 can be used. For example, when the application substitute server 500 substitutes a browser function that allows WEB access, the user can connect to the mobile Internet without any capital investment other than the terminal device 100.

  Even if the application software needs to be upgraded, if the application replacement server 500 upgrades the corresponding application software, information processing using the latest application is always possible without the user being aware of it. .

  Further, the application substitution device provides a data storage area for each user, so that it is possible to cope with an application that needs to store mail or the like.

(Other embodiments)
Although the present invention has been described according to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the embodiment, it has been described that the terminal device 100 acquires screen information of the information processing device. However, instead of the screen information, audio information may be acquired.

  Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to rent the terminal device 100 at a store or the like and access a wireless access point (wireless base station 20) provided in the store. Of course, this is also possible in the second embodiment.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

It is a general-view figure of the terminal device concerning the 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the communication method which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating exchange of the information of the terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and a personal computer. It is a block diagram which shows the connection sequence of the terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and a personal computer. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating exchange of the information of the terminal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and a personal computer. It is a figure for demonstrating the exchange of the information of the conventional terminal device and an information server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Terminal device 101 Main control part 102 Output information acquisition part 103 Operation information generation part 104 Network control part 105 Mobile communication function control part 106 Input device 106a Pseudo keyboard 106b Pseudo mouse pad 107 Output device 107a Pseudo screen 200 Personal computer 201 Main control part 202 Output information control unit 203 Input information control unit 204 Information storage unit 205 Application control unit 206 Network control unit 300, 600, 1300 Mobile communication network 400, 700, 1400 Internet / intranet 500 Application alternative server 501 Information storage unit 502 User database 503 Application Control unit (Web browser unit)
504 Application control unit (mail server unit)
505 Network control unit 506 Display information control unit 507 Display device 508 Input information control unit 509 Input device 510 Main control unit 1900 Information server

Claims (5)

A terminal device that transmits operation information for operating an information processing device,
A first projection unit that projects an image of the input unit on a first projection surface by projecting light;
A terminal device comprising: operation information generating means for generating the operation information based on a reaching state in which the light projected by the first projection means has reached the first projection plane. The input means is a keyboard;
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the operation information generation unit generates the operation information based on the arrival state of each key of the keyboard. The input means is a mouse pad;
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the operation information generation unit generates the operation information based on the state of arrival at the mouse pad.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second projecting unit configured to project output information obtained from the information processing apparatus onto a second projection surface by projecting light. Terminal equipment. Step A in which the terminal device projects an image of the input means on the first projection surface by projecting light;
Step B in which the terminal device generates the operation information based on an arrival state in which the light projected in Step A has reached the first projection plane;
Step C in which the information processing device performs processing based on the operation information received from the terminal device;
Step D in which the terminal device acquires output information that is a processing result in the information processing device from the information processing device;
And a step E of projecting the light to project the output information onto a second projection surface.

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