JP2005266966A - Information terminal equipment and network system using its information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide highly operable information terminal equipment for converting various language information into non-language information, and for notifying it and a network system using the information terminal equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This information terminal equipment is provided with an external information detecting means for sensing external information such as the the operation of a person, the movement of an object and the change of an environment, and for converting the external information into an electric signal, a conversion rule control means for preliminarily storing data acquired by associating this electric signal with semantic information having predetermined meaning, and for extracting the semantic information associated with the electric signal from the data, and for converting the electric signal into the semantic information, and for converting the converted semantic information into preliminarily decided prescribed color information and a display means for converting the color information into an electric signal for driving a light emitting body, and for making the light emitting body emit lights in a predetermined color, and for displaying it. Thus, it is possible to convert various language information into non-language information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device that uses a computer to convert language information into non-language information and displays the non-language information, and a network system using the information terminal device.

  In recent years, with the spread of personal computers, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), a lot of information has become available through these devices. Depending on the information, there is an increasing number of information that can only be obtained through these devices.

  The main interface between the devices and people is peripheral devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and it takes considerable time for beginners such as elderly people and small children to master the operation of these devices.

  In other words, in the communication using the above devices, it is often necessary to rely on linguistic information, and this necessitates the intervention of the interface between the person and the device, such as a keyboard, that requires a certain level of operation skill. It was a factor.

  Some devices have improved operability, such as pen input and voice response, but it is difficult to perform all operations on the peripheral devices with a pen input device or voice response device. It is expensive and above all for beginners there is considerable resistance to touching these devices.

  Therefore, recently, there has been a movement to construct an environment called “ubiquitous computing” that can be used everywhere as a matter of course, and that it can be used without being aware of even using a computer. Yes.

  Conventionally, for example, a transmission terminal and a reception terminal are provided, and a movement of a person is detected by a sensor at the transmission terminal, and the detected movement is transmitted as an operation detection signal. In addition to counting the number, when there is a request from the outside, out of predetermined information associated with the number of receptions (number of packets) stored in advance, the content of the notification information corresponding to the received information is the LED or music A communication system and a communication method between remote locations that express and output non-linguistic information such as those have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

According to this configuration, when a request is received from the receiving terminal on the receiving side, the fact that the sensor has touched the sensor on the transmitting side can be known, as well as the number of times the sensor has been touched. ) Not only can it be confirmed, it also makes it possible to grasp the living situation to some extent, and communication between remote locations using a computer is possible without direct computer operation.
JP 2004-70744 A

  However, the contents that can be expressed from the LED or music as notification information in the above-mentioned conventional system are basically only the presence / absence of the single operation (for example, the operation of touching the doorknob) and the number of the operations. Compared to linguistic information, there is a problem that the content of expression is extremely limited.

  In addition, the above-described conventional system is limited to being used as a remote communication communication means, but the purpose of using a device such as a computer as an information terminal device is not limited to the communication communication means. .

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides an information terminal device that has good operability, can convert various linguistic information into non-linguistic information, and provides a network system using the information terminal device. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information terminal device according to the present invention is an information terminal device using a computer, which senses external information such as human movement, movement of an object, change in environment, etc. By storing external information detecting means for converting into an electrical signal and data that associates the electrical signal with semantic information having a predetermined meaning in advance, and extracting semantic information corresponding to the electrical signal from this data, A conversion control means for converting the electrical signal and the semantic information and converting the converted semantic information and predetermined color information, and an electrical signal for driving the color information And a display means for displaying the illuminant by emitting light in a predetermined color.

  According to this configuration, various meaning information can be displayed by color by sensing external information.

  The above color information can be displayed by specifying a predetermined color and by specifying a light emission pattern such as blinking the light emitter with the specified color and changing the color or the amount of light emitted over time. The variation of increases.

  The display means receives an electrical signal for driving the light emitter, and stores a voltage control unit that controls a voltage, a light emitting element that is driven with a predetermined color or display pattern according to the controlled voltage, and the light emitting element. And it is preferable to comprise from the housing | casing which diffuses the light turned on from the light emitting element outside.

  Furthermore, if the case houses the light emitting element and diffuses the light lit from the light emitting element to the outside, and the unit is equipped with the external information detecting means, the unity as a device is improved. To do.

  The display means may be provided with auxiliary display means for displaying semantic information in at least one of language and voice.

  A portable terminal such as a PDA (Peasonal Digital Assistance) may be detachably attached to the casing, and the portable terminal may include the conversion control unit and the auxiliary display unit.

  Designation of color information corresponding to new semantic information and change of color information corresponding to existing semantic information may be performed from the portable terminal.

  By the way, if the information terminal device is connected to a device such as a personal computer or a home appliance on a local area network via a server, information can be transmitted and received between the information terminal device and the device.

  Furthermore, if the information terminal device is connected to the local area network system or another information terminal device via a communication network such as an IP network, information is transmitted and received between the information terminal device and the local area network system. A communication network system can be constructed.

  As is clear from the above description, the information terminal device according to the present invention can notify various language information as non-language information by emitting colors, so without being aware of the existence of the computer. Information can be obtained using a computer.

  In particular, the color can be intuitively recognized, and is suitable as a medium for grasping the content of information instantaneously.

  In addition, since colors have preferences depending on individuals, if information is color-coded according to individual preferences, it is easy to become familiar with psychologically, and resistance to devices such as computers can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, if the display pattern is combined with the color, the number of expressions corresponding to the language information increases, so that more complicated contents can be notified by an intuitive expression.

  In addition, since information other than communication communication information between remote locations such as schedule management performed by a PDA or the like can be notified, the information terminal device according to the present invention includes comprehensive information including a function as a communication terminal. A wider range of applications can be expected as a terminal device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of an information terminal device 1 according to the present invention. The information terminal device 1 includes a sensor unit 11 that senses external information such as human movements, movements of objects, and environmental changes. In the present embodiment, the touch sensor 11a and the motion sensor 11b are described as sensors constituting the sensor unit 11, but the number and types of sensors are not limited to this.

  External information sensed by the sensor unit 11 is converted into an electrical signal by the microcomputer unit 12, and the state of the sensor unit 11 is sent to the control unit 14 via the serial cable 13.

  The state of the sensor unit 11 is subjected to conversion control by the control unit 14, and the converted signal enters the microcomputer unit 12 again through the serial cable 13. The microcomputer unit 12 controls the voltage, the LED unit 15 emits light in a predetermined color, and information is displayed by color.

  In the present embodiment, as information display, light is emitted using an LED, but the light emitter is not limited to the LED. However, it is preferable to use an LED in consideration of the lifetime of the light emitter, power consumption, and the like.

  Note that a portable terminal (PDA) 16 is connected to the control unit 14. The PDA 16 displays one or both of character information and audio information corresponding to the color displayed on the LED unit 15 or both, and performs new color setting and color change of the LED unit 15. You can also. Further, the PDA 16 may have the function of the control unit 14.

  In the present embodiment, the PDA 16 is connected, but a mobile phone or a small personal computer may be connected instead.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 14.

  When external information is detected by the sensor unit 11, input (sensor) information 143 that the sensor unit 11 has detected external information is notified from the microcomputer unit 12 to the control program 141 of the control unit 14 via the serial cable 13. The

  The control program 141 further notifies this input (sensor) information 143 to the analysis program 142.

  The analysis program 142 passes this input (sensor) information 143 to the conversion algorithm 144 in operation. The conversion algorithm 144 refers to a correspondence table already stored in a storage unit (not shown), extracts semantic information 145 corresponding to the input (sensor) information 143, and uses the input (sensor) information 143 as semantic information. Convert to 145.

  The semantic information 145 is passed to the output information operation program 146. The output information operation program 146 receives instruction information 147 from, for example, a GUI, a schedule module, a communication module, etc., in order to output and display the semantic information 145.

  The output information operation program 146 passes the semantic information 145 to the conversion algorithm 144 again according to the instruction information 147. The conversion algorithm 144 converts the output information (color) information 143 ′ corresponding to the semantic information 145. The converted output (color) information 143 ′ is notified to the control program 141, and this output (color) information 143 ′ is sent to the microcomputer unit 12 via the serial cable 13 as an electrical signal. The microcomputer unit 12 controls the voltage and causes the LED unit 15 to emit light in the color specified by the output (color) information 143 '.

  The setting of the output (color) information 143 ′ with respect to the semantic information 145 specifies a predetermined color, blinks the LED with the specified color, and changes the color or the amount of light emitted over time. Can also be specified.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the appearance of the information terminal device 1 according to the present invention.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the information terminal device 1 displays information by causing the LED unit 15 to emit light.

  The main body 100 of the information terminal device 1 is a housing that includes a light emitting unit 101 that houses an LED unit 15 therein, and a box-shaped bottom 102 that houses a PDA 16 and the like. The light emitting unit 101 is curved so as to expand downward from the top surface (not shown), and the lower side of the side surface is integrated with the storage unit 102 so as to have a viewing angle of 360 degrees. Is formed. The light emitting unit 101 is a material having translucency.

  The shape of the light emitting unit 101 is not limited to this shape, but when an LED is used as the light emitter, it is desirable to have a light condensing shape as much as possible considering that the LED has strong directivity. Therefore, a shape like this embodiment is suitable when using LED as a light-emitting body.

  In this embodiment, the arm 103 is attached to the main body 100 and fixed by the pedestal 104 to form a lighting stand. By adopting such a form, it is possible to see the color of the light emitter from any distance from a relatively long distance, so that information transmission is excellent.

  If the sensor unit 11 is attached to the main body 100, for example, if the sensor unit 11 is a touch sensor, it is easy to touch at any angle, and the external information input from the sensor unit 11 and the information output display by the LED unit 15 are the same place. Since it is performed, the whole can be put together compactly.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the main body 100 is rotated so that the bottom surface of the bottom portion 102 of the main body 100 can be seen from the front.

  The main body 100 is pivotally supported by an arm 103 (not shown), and the bottom surface of the bottom 102 of the main body 100 can be directed to the front. The bottom surface of the bottom portion 102 is provided with an opening 105 so that the display portion of the PDA 16 can be seen when the PDA 16 is stored. Similarly, an opening 106 for an operation button is provided so that the operation button of the PDA 16 can be operated when the PDA 16 is stored.

  Therefore, when setting or changing a new color or checking detailed information with characters, it is convenient because the PDA 16 can be operated simply by rotating the main body 100. The PDA 16 can output audio information as well as character information.

  FIG. 4 is a communication system configuration diagram in which the information terminal device 1 is configured as a communication terminal device.

  The information terminal device 1 is connected to the home server 21 as a communication terminal in the local area network system 2. The home server 21 is also connected to, for example, a personal computer 22 and a television 23. The home server 21 may be connected to home appliances other than those shown in FIG. 4, such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and an AV device.

  In consideration of the ease of connection, these home appliances are preferably devices that conform to existing technical specifications such as Jini and UPnP.

  The home server 21 collectively manages the home appliances including the information terminal device 1 by storing and searching, and controls each specialized device. For example, when the information terminal device 1 is touched, the operation of the home appliance stored in the home server 21 can be confirmed. As a distinction when there are a plurality of home appliances, for example, the number of times of touching the information terminal device 1 may be determined for each device.

  Furthermore, the information terminal device 1 can be connected from the home server 21 to another information terminal device 1 ′ and other local area networks 4 via a communication network 3 such as the Internet network. Also in the local area network 4, a home server 41, a personal computer 42, and a television 43 are connected. Furthermore, an information terminal device 44 can also be connected.

  In this way, if the information terminal device 1 is connected to another device via the communication network 3, it is possible to check the operation of a person, the operation of a home appliance, etc. between remote locations.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow from the information terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 4 until the information terminal device 44 at a remote location is caused to emit light via the communication network 3.

  The portion surrounded by the one-dot chain line on the left side of the drawing is the processing flow of the local area network system 2 on the transmission side, and the portion surrounded by the one-dot chain line on the right side is the processing flow of the local area network system 4 on the reception side. is there.

  By performing an operation such as touching the information terminal device 1 of the local area network system 2, the sensor unit 11 (touch sensor 11a) senses it as external information (S1). When the sensor unit 11 senses the external information, the microcomputer unit 12 sends the input (sensor) information 143 that the sensor unit 11 senses the external information to the control program 141 of the control unit 14 via the serial cable 13. Notify (S3).

  The control program 141 further notifies this input (sensor) information 143 to the analysis program 142 (S4).

  This analysis program 142 passes this input (sensor) information 143 to the conversion algorithm 144 in operation (S5). The conversion algorithm 144 refers to a correspondence table already stored in a storage unit (not shown), extracts semantic information 145 corresponding to the input (sensor) information 143, and uses the input (sensor) information 143 as semantic information. It converts to 145 (S5).

  The semantic information 145 is passed to the output information operation program 146 (S6). The output information operation program 146 notifies the semantic information 145 to the home server 21, and is transmitted to the local area network system 4 via the communication network 3 by the communication module provided in the home server 21 (S7).

  In the local area network system 4, the semantic information 145 is received by the communication module provided in the home server 41 (S8). The home server 41 transmits semantic information 145 to the devices connected by the local area network system 4 (S9).

  The information terminal device 44 recognizes that the semantic information 145 is receivable information, and the output information operation program 146 receives the semantic information 145 (S10). The output information operation program 146 passes this semantic information 145 to the conversion algorithm 144 (S11). The conversion algorithm 144 refers to the correspondence table already stored in the storage unit (not shown), and converts it into output (color) information 143 'corresponding to the semantic information 145 (S11).

  The converted output (color) information 143 ′ is notified to the control program 141 (S12), the voltage is controlled by the microcomputer unit 12 via the serial cable 13 (S13), and the output (color) information 143 ′ is used. The LED unit 15 emits light with the designated color (S14).

  As described above, the information terminal device 1 converts language information into non-language information through a medium of intuitively recognizable colors as described above, and can display a combination of display patterns such as blinking as well as color display. can do. Specific examples of usage are listed below.

  For example, instead of a clock, the color of the LED unit 15 can be changed according to time, and can be used as an approximate time display in a public facility. Unlike the timepiece display, which tends to be relatively inorganic, the time is displayed in color, so it can be expected to contribute to harmony with the surrounding environment. In addition, when the schedule approaches, according to the schedule, it is possible to call attention by blinking in a predetermined color.

  By reading the body temperature from the hand of the operator, the level of the body temperature can be displayed in color.

  In addition to displaying the presence / absence of going out at a company or the like in color, the elapsed time since going out can also be displayed as the amount of light emitted. That is, when the amount of light emission is large and the light is strong, it can be instantly understood that not much time has passed since the user went out.

  Whether or not mail has arrived and the degree of busyness of the project depending on the CPU occupancy rate can also be displayed in color.

  Furthermore, if the motion sensor 11b is used, the movement of the patient in the hospital can also be grasped. In addition, forgetfulness can be prevented by flashing and displaying the temperature reading or medication at a unique color.

    According to the present invention, information can be provided by converting desired information from linguistic information to color information, and therefore can be applied as an information terminal device in the field of information equipment industry.

The block diagram which shows the example of the internal structure of the information terminal device concerning this invention Block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit a) State diagram when the information terminal device displays information by causing the LED unit to emit light b) State diagram when the main body is rotated so that the bottom surface of the bottom of the main body can be seen from the front Communication system configuration diagram in which information terminal device is configured as communication terminal device The figure which showed the example of the processing flow until it light-emits the information terminal device in a remote place via a communication network from an information terminal device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information terminal device 2 Local area network system 3 Communication network 11 Sensor part 12 Microcomputer part 13 Serial cable 14 Control part 15 LED part 16 PDA

Claims (9)

  An information terminal device using a computer, which senses external information such as a person's movement, a movement of an object, a change in environment, etc., and converts the information into an electric signal, and the electric signal and a predetermined Data that associates meaning information with meaning is stored in advance, and the semantic information corresponding to the electrical signal is extracted from the data, thereby converting the electrical signal and the semantic information and converting the data. Display means for converting the color information into an electric signal for driving the light emitter, and causing the light emitter to emit light and displaying it. And an information terminal device.   The above color information is designed to specify a predetermined color, add a light emission pattern such as blinking the illuminant in the specified color, and changing the color or the amount of light emitted over time. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein:   The display means receives an electric signal for driving the light emitter, and stores a voltage control unit that controls a voltage, a light emitting element that is driven with a predetermined color or display pattern according to the controlled voltage, and the light emitting element. The information terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that diffuses light lit from the light emitting element to the outside.   4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing houses a light emitting element, diffuses light lit from the light emitting element to the outside, and includes the external information detecting means. The information terminal device according to any one of the above.   The information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising auxiliary display means for displaying semantic information displayed by the display means in at least one of language and voice.   A portable terminal such as a PDA (Peasonal Digital Assistance) is detachably attached to the casing, and the portable terminal includes the conversion control means according to claim 1 and the auxiliary display means. The information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   7. The color information corresponding to new semantic information and the color information corresponding to existing semantic information can be changed from the portable terminal. An information terminal device according to claim 1.   An information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is connected to a device such as a personal computer or a household electrical appliance via a local area network, and information is transmitted between the information terminal device and the device. A local area network system comprising a server for registering an information terminal device and the device to perform transmission / reception and performing a search in response to a request for transmission / reception of information.   An information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a local area network system according to claim 8 or another information terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 A communication network system comprising a server connected via a communication network such as a network and transmitting and receiving information between the information terminal device and the local area network system.

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