JP2005217962A - Communication device and information processing apparatus equipped with it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device capable of conducting proper communications, at which a ground electrode of the communication device is arranged on the front surface of an insulated housing, and a field transfer medium can be contacted properly by way of the arrangement to be able to combine with the electric field, and the strength of electric field induced with a transmission electrode can be increased, and to provide an information processing apparatus equipped with the device. <P>SOLUTION: As for a first field transfer medium and a second field transfer medium different each other, the communication device comprises a communication means 6 for operating using an electric potential of the electric field of the first field transfer medium as a ground electric potential and an electric potential of the electric field of the second field transfer medium as a signal electric potential. In addition, the communication device comprises an insulated housing 5 formed by non-conductive insulating materials for accommodating the body of the communication system in order to insulate it from exterior, a transmission electrode 4 connected to an input/output section for inputting and outputting a signal from the communication means 6, and for combining with the electric field of the second field transfer medium, and a grand electrode 2 connected to a ground line 7 used as a standard electric potential for operation of the communication means 6, and for combining with the electric field of the first field transfer medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is suitable for, for example, a transceiver used for data communication between wearable computers, and more particularly, by inducing an electric field based on information to be transmitted and received from a communication electrode to an electric field transmission medium. The present invention relates to a communication apparatus having a communication apparatus body capable of transmitting and receiving information via an electric field transmission medium, and a ground electrode for obtaining a reference potential for transmission and reception operations, and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus.

  In recent years, attention has been focused on a new concept computer that can be worn and operated on a human body like clothing. This computer is called a wearable computer and can be realized by miniaturization and high performance of the portable terminal.

  In addition, research on a technique for performing data communication between a plurality of wearable computers via a human body (living body) such as a human arm, shoulder, and torso is also progressing, and this technique has already been proposed in patent documents (for example, , See Patent Document 1). FIG. 15 shows an image diagram in the case of performing communication between a plurality of wearable computers via such a human body. As shown in the figure, the wearable computer 82 constitutes a set with a transceiver 83 ′ in contact with the wearable computer 82, and the human body is different from the other wearable computer 82 and transceiver 83 ′. Data communication can be performed via the. The wearable computer 82 is installed on a PC (personal computer) 85 other than the wearable computer 82 attached to the human body and a transceiver 83'a installed on the wall, or on the PC 85 and the floor 84. Data communication is also possible with each set of transceivers 83'b. However, the PC 85 in this case is not in contact with each other like the wearable computer 82 and the transceiver 83 ′, and is connected to the transceivers 83 ′ a and 83 ′ b via the cable 86.

  For data communication through the human body, signal detection technology based on electro-optic techniques using laser light and electro-optic crystals is used to generate an electric field based on information (data) to be transmitted. Information is transmitted and received by receiving information based on the electric field induced in the human body. The technique of data communication via the human body will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram of the transceiver main body 60 used for performing data communication via the human body (living body 62). As shown in FIG. 13, the transceiver main body 60 is used in a state of being in contact with the living body 62 via the communication electrode 63 and the insulating film 64. The transceiver body 60 receives the data supplied from the wearable computer 61 via the I / O (input / output) circuit 65 and transmits the data to the transmission unit 69.

  In the transmission unit 69, an electric field is induced in the living body 62 that is an electric field transmission medium from the communication electrode 63 through the insulating film 64, and this electric field is transmitted to another part of the living body 62 through the living body 62. 60.

  In addition, the transceiver 60 receives the electric field induced and transmitted to the living body 62 from another transceiver 60 attached to another part of the living body 62 by the communication electrode 63 via the insulating film 64. The electric field detection optical unit 66 couples (applies) the received electric field to an electro-optic crystal (not shown) in the electric field detection optical unit 66.

  The electric field detection optical unit 66 of the transceiver 60 detects an electric field that is induced and transmitted to the living body 62 and is coupled through the insulating film 64 and the reception electrode 63, converts the electric field into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the signal processing circuit 67. In detail, the configuration is as shown in FIG.

  The electric field detection optical unit 66 shown in FIG. 14 detects an electric field by an electro-optical technique using laser light and an electro-optic crystal, and includes a laser diode 70 constituting the laser light source and an electro-optic element composed of the electro-optic crystal. 73. The electro-optic element 73 has sensitivity only to an electric field coupled in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the laser light from the laser diode 70, and the optical characteristics, that is, the birefringence changes depending on the electric field strength, The polarization of the laser light is changed by the change of the birefringence.

  A first electrode 74 connected to the communication electrode 63 and a second electrode 80 connected to the ground electrode 79 are provided on both side surfaces of the electro-optic element 66 facing in the vertical direction. The first electrode 74 and the second electrode 80 sandwich the traveling direction of the laser light from the laser diode 70 in the electro-optic element 73 from both sides, and couple the electric field at right angles to the laser light. It has become. The communication electrode 63 is configured to couple the electric field to the electro-optic element 73 when detecting the electric field induced and transmitted to the living body 62.

  The laser light output from the laser diode 70 is converted into parallel light through the collimator lens 71, and the laser light that has become parallel light is adjusted in polarization state by the first wave plate 72 and enters the electro-optical element 73. The laser light incident on the electro-optic element 73 propagates between the first electrode 74 connected to the communication electrode 63 and the second electrode 80 connected to the ground electrode 79 in the electro-optic element 73. When the communication electrode 63 detects the electric field transmitted to the living body 62 during the propagation of the laser light as described above and this electric field is coupled to the electro-optic element 73, the electric field is generated from the first electrode 74. Since it is formed toward the second electrode 80 connected to the ground electrode 79 and is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the laser light incident on the electro-optic element 73 from the laser diode 70, the optical characteristics of the electro-optic element 73 are A certain birefringence changes, and this changes the polarization of the laser beam.

  In this way, the laser light whose polarization has been changed by the electric field from the first electrode 74 in the electro-optic element 73 is adjusted in the polarization state by the second wave plate 78 and enters the polarization beam splitter 76. The polarization beam splitter 76 separates the laser light incident from the second wave plate 78 into a P wave and an S wave, and converts them into a change in light intensity. The laser beam separated into the P wave component and the S wave component by the polarization beam splitter 76 is condensed by the first and second condenser lenses 77a and 77b, respectively, and then constitutes a first photoelectric conversion means. The first and second photodiodes 75a and 75b convert the P-wave optical signal and the S-wave optical signal into respective electric signals and output them.

  As described above, the electric signals output from the first and second photodiodes 75a and 75b are subjected to signal processing such as amplification and noise removal in the signal processing circuit 67 shown in FIG. Then, the waveform is shaped and supplied to the wearable computer 61 via the I / O circuit 65.

  The received signal, which is converted into an electric signal by the electric field detection optical unit 66 and then sent to the signal processing circuit 67 constituting the receiving means, is amplified by the signal processing circuit 67 and the noise is removed. Then, the signal is transmitted to the waveform shaping circuit 68. The waveform shaping circuit 68 performs waveform shaping (signal processing) on the transmitted electrical signal and supplies it to the wearable computer 61 via the I / O circuit 65.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a wearable computer 82 attached to the right arm induces an electrical signal related to transmission data as an electric field in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium by a transceiver 83 ′, Communicate to other sites. On the other hand, in the wearable computer 82 attached to the left arm, the electric field transmitted from the living body can be returned to the electrical signal by the transceiver 83 ′ and then received as received data.
JP 2001-352298 A (page 4-5, FIG. 1-5)

  However, in the communication apparatus such as the conventional transceiver as shown in FIG. 13 and the information processing apparatus including the same, for example, when only the communication electrode is brought into contact with the electric field transmission medium, the electric field induced by the communication electrode is used. The intensity of the signal due to becomes weak. Since only the communication electrode is in contact with the electric field transmission medium, a phenomenon occurs in which the electric field from the ground electrode enters the electric field transmission medium through which the electric field easily passes than the atmosphere, and the electric field induced in the electric field transmission medium from the communication electrode is canceled.

  Furthermore, in the communication device according to the prior art and the information processing device including the communication device, in order to induce communication with sufficient electric field strength even when only the communication electrode is in contact with the electric field transmission medium, the transmission output of the communication device Must be increased, leading to an increase in power consumption.

  In addition, since it is necessary to design the communication device itself so as to increase the reception sensitivity and to use many expensive parts for increasing the reception sensitivity, the communication device and the information processing device including the communication device are expensive. It will end up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and the ground electrode of the communication device is arranged on the surface of the insulating case, and this arrangement makes good contact with the electric field transmission medium and couples with the electric field from the ground electrode. As described above, it is possible to increase the strength of the electric field induced by the communication electrode because the induced electric field from the communication electrode is not canceled, and a communication device that enables efficient communication and the communication device An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the first electric field transmission medium and the second electric field transmission medium are different from each other, and the electric field potential of the first electric field transmission medium is set to the ground potential. A communication device that has communication means that operates using the electric field potential of the electric field transmission medium as a signal potential, and performs communication of the signal, and includes a body of the communication device so as to be insulated from the outside. An insulating case formed of a conductive insulator; a communication electrode connected to an input / output unit for inputting / outputting the signal from the communication means and coupled to the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium; A ground electrode connected to a ground line serving as a reference potential for the operation of the communication means and coupled to the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium;
The communication electrode and the ground electrode are spaced apart from each other on the exterior surface of the insulating case.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, the communication electrode and the ground electrode are respectively covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, with respect to the first and second electric field transmission media different from each other, the electric field potential of the first electric field transmission medium is set to the ground potential, and the second electric field transmission medium An information processing apparatus including a communication device that has communication means that operates using an electric field potential as an information signal potential, and performs communication of the information signal, wherein the communication device communicates with the information processing terminal. An insulation case formed of a non-conductive insulator for containing the main body of the device and insulating from the outside; and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting the information signal from the communication means; A communication electrode for coupling with an electric field of a second electric field transmission medium, a ground line serving as a reference potential for the operation of the communication means, and a ground line of the information processing apparatus are commonly connected to the first electric field transmission. To couple with the electric field of the medium A ground electrode, and the communication electrode and the ground electrode are arranged on the exterior surface of the insulating case so as to be separated from each other, and thus the signal of the information via the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium Communication.

    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the third aspect of the invention, the communication electrode and the ground electrode are each covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside.

  According to the present invention, the ground electrode of the communication device is arranged on the surface of the insulating case, and this arrangement allows good contact with the electric field transmission medium to couple with the electric field, and further the electric field induced by the communication electrode. It is possible to increase the strength, and thus it is possible to provide a communication device that enables efficient and efficient communication and an information processing device including the communication device.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wearable computer 1 according to a transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wearable computer 1 includes an insulating case 5 whose outer periphery is made of a non-conductive insulator, a transceiver (communication means) 6 included in the insulating case 5, and a ground drawn from the transceiver 6. It includes a line 7, a computer 8, a ground electrode 2 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insulating case 5, a communication electrode 4, and an insulating film 3, and an I / O circuit 9 is provided inside the transceiver 6. And an electric field detection optical unit 10, a signal processing circuit 11, a waveform shaping circuit 12, and a transmission circuit 13.

  The insulating case 5 does not exhibit electrical conductivity because it is made of a non-conductive material. The non-conductive material may be preferably made of a polymer material such as plastic or synthetic rubber. The insulating case 5 prevents the computer 8 and the transceiver 6 housed inside the insulating case 5 from conducting to the outside. A ground electrode 2 and a communication electrode 4 are disposed on the outer surface of the insulating case 5. The ground electrode 2 and the communication electrode 4 are arranged sufficiently separated from each other. They are arranged so that no electrical conduction occurs between them. After such an arrangement, the insulating film 3 is further arranged on the surfaces of the ground electrode 3 and the communication electrode 4. The insulating film 3 is made not to show electrical conductivity by using a coating material of a polymer material or a non-conductive film, that is, the outside and the ground electrode 3 or the communication electrode 4. Prevents direct contact and conduction.

  Thus, the computer 8 and the transceiver 6 are isolated from the outside by the insulating case 5. The computer 8 is a main part of information processing for the wearable computer 1 to function as an information processing device. The computer 8 has an MPU, an I / O circuit, a storage device, etc. (not shown). Information is input to the computer 8 from the outside, and the input information is stored according to a program installed in advance. Further, a predetermined calculation process is performed on these pieces of information based on a program, and the result is output to the outside. If there is an information output request from the outside, necessary information is output to the outside according to the content of this request.

  The transceiver 6 performs information communication between the wearable computer 1 and the outside. Information transmitted / received by the transceiver 6 is performed by a computer 8 connected to the transceiver 6. Information exchange with the computer 8 is performed by an I / O circuit 9 provided in the transceiver 6. The I / O circuit 9 is provided to receive information input to the computer 8 and information output from the computer 8.

  The I / O circuit 9 sends information to the transmission circuit 13 in the transceiver 6 when information is output from the computer 8. The transmission circuit 13 transmits the received information to the external electric field via the communication electrode 4. In addition, information received from an external electric field by the communication electrode 4 is converted into an electric signal from the electric field by the electric field detection optical unit 10 and transmitted to the signal processing circuit 11. The signal processing circuit 11 performs signal processing such as amplification and noise removal on the input electric signal and sends it to the waveform shaping circuit 12. The waveform shaping circuit 12 performs waveform shaping (signal processing) on the transmitted electrical signal and sends it to the I / O circuit 9, and the I / O circuit 9 sends this electrical signal to the computer 8 as information.

  As described above, the wearable computer 1 combines the transceiver 6 and the computer 8 to perform transmission / reception and processing of information. In order to transmit and receive such information through an external electric field, the communication electrode 4 and the ground electrode 2 disposed on the surface of the wearable computer 1 are used. The communication electrode 4 is insulated by the insulating film 3 and receives information transmitted via an external electric field. This reception is performed by the transceiver 6 to which the communication electrode 4 is connected. The ground serving as a reference potential for the operation of the transceiver 6 is connected to the ground electrode 2 via the ground line 7. The ground electrode 2 is insulated by an insulating film 3 and coupled to an external electric field, and the potential of the electric field is used as a reference.

The electric field transmission medium in which the electric field coupled with the communication electrode 4 is generated is an electric field transmission medium different from the electric field transmission medium in which the electric field coupled with the ground electrode 2 is generated. In the common electric field transmission medium, there is no potential difference between the potential of the communication electrode 4 and the potential of the ground electrode 2, so that a short circuit occurs and the information transmission / reception operation of the transceiver 6 does not operate. In order for the wearable computer 1 according to the transceiver of the present invention to operate normally, it is necessary that the electric field transmission medium coupled to the ground electrode 2 and the electric field transmission medium coupled to the communication electrode 4 are different. For example, in order to perform information communication between a plurality of wearable computers 1 under these conditions, the ground electrode 2 of all the wearable computers 1 is coupled to the electric field in a common electric field transmission medium (first electric field transmission medium). Need to be. In information communication, information communication using an electric field induced in the second electric field transmission medium is performed via an electric field transmission medium (second electric field transmission medium) other than the first electric field transmission medium. . In this information communication, the reference potential is the potential of the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium, and the transceiver 6 communicates via the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium having a potential difference with respect to the reference potential.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a transmission path of information communication to which the transceiver according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 shows a case where the wearable computer 1 described in FIG. 1 is attached to a living body (first electric field transmission medium) 15 such as a human being or an animal, and information communication is performed between the plurality of wearable computers 1.

  The wearable computer 1 attached to the living body 15 contacts the living body 15 with the ground electrode 2 provided on the exterior surface thereof. However, in order to facilitate understanding in FIG. 2, the insulating film 3 is omitted. However, in actual contact, the insulating film 3 exists between the living body 15 and the ground electrode 2 and is electrically connected. Keeping insulation.

  The communication electrode 4 of the wearable computer 1 is in contact with the electric field transmission medium (second electric field transmission medium) 16 through the insulating film 3. Here, although the insulating film 3 is not shown in FIG. 2, it is omitted for easy understanding, and in actual contact, the electric insulation is communicated with the electric field transmission medium 16 by the insulating film 3. It is kept between the electrodes 4.

  The two wearable computers 1 communicate with each other via an electric field 20 induced in the electric field transmission medium 16, and this communication is performed by a transceiver (communication means) in which the communication electrode 4 provided in each is referred to in FIG. ) 6 to induce an electric field 20 in the electric field transmission medium 16. Here, the living bodies 15 are both connected to the ground electrode 2, and the living bodies 15 are in contact with the same floor surface (not shown). When the living body 15 comes into contact with the same floor surface, the potential of the electric field induced in the living body 15 becomes equal, and when the living body 15 is coupled to the ground electrode 2 by the electric field, the reference potential is obtained. Since the electric field transmission medium 16 has the potential of the electric field 20 induced by the communication electrode 4 with respect to this reference potential, a potential difference is generated, and information can be communicated.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the communication electrode 4 of one wearable computer 1 is not in contact with the electric field transmission medium 16 in the information communication transmission path of FIG. In this case, the electric field 20 is induced inside the electric field transmission medium 16 by the communication electrode 4 in contact with the electric field transmission medium 16. The electric field 20 induced in the electric field transmission medium 16 is received by the separated communication electrodes 4 via the separated air.

  FIG. 4 shows the information communication via the air between the communication electrodes 4 that are separated from each other without the electric field transmission medium 16 in the information communication transmission path of FIG. In this information communication, information communication over a relatively long distance is not intended, and it is assumed that the living bodies 15 are located on the floor of the same room, for example. The electric field 20 is induced in the air by the communication electrode 4 and acts as a medium for information communication between the two wearable computers 1.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the wearable computer 21, the insulating belt 28, the two communication electrodes 24, the display unit 25, the fasteners 28a, and the fastening holes 28b.

  This wearable computer 21 is intended to be attached to a human body or an animal, like a so-called wristwatch. The insulating belt 28 is made of an electrically nonconductive material. In order to attach the insulating belt 28 to the living body 29 shown in FIG. 6, the insulating belt 28 is provided with a fastener 28a and a fastening hole 28b. The insulating belt 28 is wound around and attached to, for example, an arm of the living body 29, and the fastener 28a and the fastening hole 28b are engaged and fixed. As shown in FIG. 6, the wearable computer 21 includes a display unit 25 at the top, a CPU (central processing unit) 26 connected to the display unit 25, and information communication with the outside connected to the CPU 26. The transceiver 27 is connected to the ground electrode 22 and the communication electrode 24.

  The CPU 26 outputs and stores information and performs predetermined information processing through information communication with the outside, and displays information on the display unit 25 as necessary. Information displayed on the display unit 25 can be visually recognized. The transceiver 27 has its outermost surface surrounded by an insulating insulating case as shown in FIG. 1, and a ground electrode 22 is disposed on the surface of the insulating case. The ground electrode 22 is insulated from the outside. It is covered with an insulating film 23 for this purpose. Further, the transmission electrode 24 is disposed on the surface of the insulating belt 24 and is completely insulated from the ground electrode 22 and the living body 29.

  The ground electrode 22 is coupled with the electric field of the living body 29 with the insulating film 23 interposed therebetween, and becomes the same potential as the electric field to obtain a reference potential. An electric field is induced by the communication electrode 24 with respect to the reference potential, and information communication is performed with the information processing device such as another wearable computer (not shown) via the electric field. For example, information can be communicated without any contact with a wearer 21 having the same configuration. Alternatively, mutual information communication is possible only when the communication electrodes 24 are in contact with a common electric field transmission medium.

  FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a wearable computer 30 is configured by combining the transceiver 6 described in FIG. 1 (transceiver 38 in FIG. 7) with a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) terminal. This is an example. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wearable computer 30 includes a display unit 31, an insulating case 32, a communication electrode 33, a ground electrode 36, an insulator 34, an insulating film 35, and a CPU 37. And a transceiver 38.

  Referring to FIG. 8, wearable computer 30 has a transceiver 38, and information communication with the outside is enabled via this transceiver 38. A communication electrode 33 and a ground electrode 36 are connected to the transceiver 38, and the ground electrode 36 is insulated by a nonconductive insulating film 35 so as not to directly contact the outside. Further, the communication electrode 33 is insulated by a non-conductive insulator 34 and disposed in the insulating case 32 of the wearable computer 30. The ground electrode 36 is coupled to an external electric field transmission medium (not shown) through the insulating film 35. The electric field transmission medium is, for example, a human body of an operator who holds and uses the wearable computer 30, or a desk on which the wearable computer 30 is placed. A reference potential can be obtained from the ground electrode 36 by combining with the electric field of these electric field transmission media.

  The communication electrode 33 has a relative potential with respect to the reference potential of the ground electrode 36, and performs information communication via an electric field coupled to the communication electrode 33. The electric field transmission medium in contact with the communication electrode 33 is different from the electric field transmission medium coupled to the ground electrode 36. An electric field is induced and coupled to the electric field transmission medium by the communication electrode 33, and information communication can be performed with other wearable computers (not shown).

  Information transmitted / received by the transceiver 38 is stored or output as data in the CPU 37. Further, predetermined arithmetic processing is performed by an arithmetic processing program installed in advance. The display unit 31 is connected to the CPU 37 and can display information, or input information from outside by an input means (not shown) arranged on the surface of the display unit 31.

  FIGS. 9 (a), 9 (b), and 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention for explaining a notebook personal computer 40 having the transceiver 6 described in FIG. FIG. In the third embodiment, a so-called laptop computer 40 that is generally used includes a transceiver 41 (equivalent to the transceiver 6 in FIG. 1), a communication electrode 42, and a non-conductive insulator 44. And a ground electrode 43.

  A communication electrode 42 and a ground electrode 43 are connected to the transceiver 41 provided in the notebook computer 40. As shown in FIG. 9B, the communication electrode 42 is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal monitor 47 where the notebook personal computer 40 stands, and is covered with an insulator 44 so as not to be in direct contact with the outside. Has been. The ground electrode 43 is disposed at the bottom of the main body of the notebook computer 40 and is also insulated by an insulator 44 so as not to come into direct contact with the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when performing information communication between the notebook computers 40, the notebook computers 40 are placed on the same desk 46. By placing the notebook computer 40 on the same desk 46, the electric field of the desk 46 and the ground electrode 43 are combined to have the same potential. Since the potential of the ground electrode 43 becomes the same reference potential between the two notebook personal computers 40, mutual communication can be performed stably. The communication electrode 42 has a potential with a predetermined potential difference with respect to the potential of the ground electrode 43 and induces an electric field 45 in the space between the two notebook personal computers 40. Information communication is possible between the notebook personal computers 40 via the electric field 45, and this information communication is possible only when they are placed on the desk 46 at the same time.

  FIG. 11 (a), FIG. 11 (b), and FIG. 12 show the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the communication of the notebook personal computer 40 according to the third embodiment of the present invention described above. The arrangement of the electrode 42 and the ground electrode 43 is changed.

  The notebook computer 50 shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12 includes a transceiver 51, a communication electrode 54, a ground electrode 53, a keyboard 52, and an insulator 55. A communication electrode 54 and a ground electrode 53 are connected to the transceiver 51, and the communication electrode 54 is covered with a non-conductive insulator 55 and disposed at the bottom of the notebook computer 50. The ground electrode 53 is disposed in the vicinity of the keyboard 52 on the top surface of the notebook computer 50, and is a position where the hand contacts when the operator of the notebook computer 50 operates the keyboard 52.

  Referring to FIG. 12, when information communication is performed between two notebook personal computers 50, both communication electrodes 54 have a common electric field 57 via a desk 56. In this state, when an operator (not shown) operates the keyboard 52 of the notebook computer 50, the operator's hand comes into contact with the ground electrode 53 through the insulator 55. By this contact, the human body and the ground electrode 53 are coupled with each other by an electric field to be equal in potential. Using this potential as a reference potential, the transceiver 51 outputs information to the communication electrode 54. The potential of the electric field 57 of the desk 56 has a potential difference from the potential of the human body, and information communication is performed using this potential difference. Only when the notebook computers 50 are placed on the common desk 56, information can be communicated via the electric field 57 only while the operator operates the keyboard 52.

  In the present invention described above, the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium is different from the first electric field transmission medium (for example, human body or living body) and the second electric field transmission medium (for example, air or desk) which are different from each other. A communication device (for example, a transceiver) having communication means (for example, a transceiver circuit of a transceiver) that operates using the potential as a ground potential and the electric field potential of the second electric field transmission medium as a signal potential. And an insulation case formed of a non-conductive insulator (for example, plastic) to enclose the body of the communication device and insulate it from the outside, and an input for inputting and outputting signals from the communication means A communication electrode connected to the output unit and coupled to the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium, and a ground line serving as a reference potential for operation of the communication means to couple with the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium It includes a ground electrode, the communication electrodes and the ground electrode is a communication apparatus characterized by being spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of the insulating case. In addition to this communication device, each of the communication electrode and the ground electrode is covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside.

  In the present invention described above, the electric field potential of the first electric field transmission medium is set to the ground potential with respect to the first electric field transmission medium and the second electric field transmission medium which are different from each other. An information processing apparatus (for example, a computer or the like) having a communication device that has communication means that operates using the electric field potential as the information signal potential, and performs communication of the information signal. Is connected to an insulating case formed of a non-conductive insulator for containing the communication device body and the outside of the communication device, and an input / output unit for inputting / outputting information signals from the communication means. A communication electrode for coupling with the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium, a ground line serving as a reference potential for the operation of the communication means, and a ground line of the information processing apparatus, and the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium Gran to join The communication electrode and the ground electrode are spaced apart from each other on the exterior surface of the insulating case, so that information signals can be communicated via the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium. It is characterized by. In addition to the information processing apparatus, the communication electrode and the ground electrode are each covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside.

  As described above, the communication device of the present invention and the information processing device including the communication device have the ground electrode of the communication device arranged on the surface of the insulating case, and this arrangement makes good contact with the electric field transmission medium to couple with the electric field. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the strength of the electric field induced by the communication electrode, thereby enabling efficient and good communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The block diagram for demonstrating the outline of the communication apparatus by this invention and information processing apparatus provided with the same is shown. 1 shows a schematic diagram of communication according to a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 1 shows a schematic diagram of communication according to a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 1 shows a schematic diagram of communication according to a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 1 shows a first embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 1 shows a first embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 2 shows a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus according to a second embodiment. 2 shows a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus according to a second embodiment. 3 shows a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus according to a third embodiment. 3 shows a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus according to a third embodiment. 4 shows a fourth embodiment relating to a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. 4 shows a fourth embodiment relating to a communication apparatus according to the present invention and an information processing apparatus including the communication apparatus. The block diagram for demonstrating the outline of the communication apparatus by a prior art and information processing apparatus provided with the same is shown. The schematic block diagram of the electric field detection optical part with which the communication apparatus by a prior art is provided is shown. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the information communication system which mounted | wore the biological body with the communication apparatus by a prior art is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 30 Wearable computer 2, 22, 36, 43, 53 Ground electrode 3, 23, 35 Insulating film 4, 24, 33, 42, 54 Communication electrode 5, 32 Insulating case 6, 27, 38, 41, 51 Transceiver (communication means)
7 Ground line 8 Computer 9 I / O circuit 10 Electric field detection optical unit 11 Signal processing circuit 12 Waveform shaping circuit 13 Transmission circuit 15, 29 Living body (first electric field transmission medium)
16 Electric field transmission medium (second electric field transmission medium)
20, 45, 57 Electric field 25, 31 Display unit 26, 37 CPU
28 Insulating belts 34, 44, 55 Insulators 40, 50 Notebook computers 46, 56

Claims (4)

Communication that operates with the electric field potential of the first electric field transmission medium as a ground potential and the electric field potential of the second electric field transmission medium as a signal potential with respect to different first and second electric field transmission media. A communication device having a means for communicating the signal,
An insulating case formed of a non-conductive insulator to contain the body of the communication device and insulate it from the outside;
A communication electrode connected to an input / output unit for inputting and outputting the signal from the communication means and coupled to the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium;
A ground electrode connected to a ground line serving as a reference potential for operation of the communication means and coupled to the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium;
The communication device, wherein the communication electrode and the ground electrode are spaced apart from each other on the exterior surface of the insulating case.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication electrode and the ground electrode are each covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside. With respect to different first and second electric field transmission media, the electric field potential of the first electric field transmission medium is set as the ground potential, and the electric field potential of the second electric field transmission medium is set as the potential of the information signal. An information processing apparatus comprising a communication device that has a communication means for performing communication of the information signal,
The communication device includes an insulating case formed of a non-conductive insulator to contain the information processing terminal and a main body of the communication device and to insulate them from the outside.
A communication electrode connected to an input / output unit for inputting / outputting the signal of the information from the communication means and coupled to the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium;
A ground electrode serving as a reference potential for the operation of the communication means and a ground electrode commonly connected to the ground line of the information processing apparatus and coupled to the electric field of the first electric field transmission medium;
The communication electrode and the ground electrode are arranged on the exterior surface of the insulating case so as to be separated from each other, and thus the information signal can be communicated through the electric field of the second electric field transmission medium. Information processing apparatus. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication electrode and the ground electrode are each covered with a non-conductive insulator and insulated from the outside.

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