JP2006127404A - Portable information terminal and display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal which can easily and instantly obtain information on an object to be viewed, is excellent in portability and user interface, thin and lightweight, and consumes low power consumption, and a display device. <P>SOLUTION: The portable information terminal is provided with: an object to be viewed specifying means 4 for specifying an object to be viewed and outputtin a signal; a data acquisition means 5 for acquiring data on the object to be viewed from a prescribed information retrieval means on the basis of the signal outputted by the object to be viewed specifying means and outputting them; a viewing device 1 for displaying information on the object to be viewed on the basis of the data outputted by the data acquisition means; an information processing means 2 for processing a signal outputted by the object to be viewed specifying means, outputting them to the data acquisition means and processing the data outputted by the data acquisition means and outputting them to the viewing device; and a power source means 3 for driving at least the object to be viewed specifying means, the data acquisition means, the viewing device, and the information processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal device capable of displaying information related to a visual recognition target, and a display device suitable for the portable information terminal device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a portable information terminal device is suitably used for a viewer to obtain information such as names and features related to visual recognition objects such as exhibits in museums and displays in stores.

  This conventional portable information terminal device uses an optical information acquisition means for optically reading information described by information transmission means such as a two-dimensional symbol such as a barcode, a stack type symbol or a matrix type symbol, or a magnetic data. By using magnetic information acquisition means that magnetically reads the described information, it is possible to acquire various types of information related to visual targets such as exhibits and displays, and display the acquired information on a display device. It is configured. Therefore, by using this portable information terminal device, the viewer can easily obtain various information regarding the exhibits and displays that are the subject of his / her visual recognition via the display device of the portable information terminal device. It becomes possible.

  By the way, the information transmission means using the above-described barcode, two-dimensional symbol, magnetic data or the like has a relatively small amount of information that can be transmitted, and in particular, it is impossible to rewrite information with a barcode or two-dimensional symbol. And so on. In addition, these information transmission means relate to objects to be viewed such as exhibits and displays due to contamination or damage of the barcode due to physical contact with the barcode reader, or damage or loss of magnetic data due to proximity of magnets, etc. A read error may occur when reading information. Therefore, in recent years, information transmission means for transmitting information using electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic waves (hereinafter simply referred to as radio waves) as information transmission means replacing the above-described information transmission means using barcodes, two-dimensional symbols, magnetic data, and the like. Is suitably used in various fields (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  In the information transmission means for transmitting information using electromagnetic induction or radio waves, various information relating to the visual target such as the exhibit or display can be placed at any position in the visual target such as the exhibit or display (for example, visual recognition). A small IC chip (a wireless tag, an RF tag, or an IC tag) capable of storing a target name, characteristics, price, etc.) and transmitting the information by radio waves is provided. That is, data of information related to visual recognition objects such as exhibits and displays is transmitted from the IC chip by radio waves. On the other hand, the viewer places the portable information terminal device possessed by him / her in the vicinity of a viewing target such as an exhibition or display that he / she visually recognizes. Then, the portable information terminal apparatus receives and extracts radio waves including information data related to the visual target such as exhibits and displays transmitted from the IC chip, thereby carrying the information regarding the visual target portable. The information is displayed on a predetermined display device included in the type information terminal device. Thereby, the viewer can know various information regarding the visual recognition objects such as exhibits and displays.

Here, the IC chip described above can store a large amount of data, and can arbitrarily rewrite the data as necessary. Also, according to this IC chip, information regarding the visual target is transmitted in a non-contact state, so that information regarding the visual target is compared with the conventional configuration using information transmission means such as a barcode or magnetic data. It becomes possible to prevent a reading error when reading. Furthermore, since this IC chip can be formed into an arbitrary shape such as a card shape, a seal shape, or a coin shape, it can be used for various purposes depending on the usage form. For these reasons, the information transmission means for transmitting information on the visual target using radio waves can be used for various purposes such as product management and product identification, and also for future ubiquitous society. It is expected as an information transmission means that plays an important role in the realization of.
"What is automatic recognition-Types of automatic recognition technology", [online], February 25, 2004, Japan Automatic Recognition System Association, [October 29, 2004 search], Internet <URL: http : //www.jaisa.or.jp/about/pdfs/20040225AIDC.pdf>

  However, in the information transmission means for transmitting the information regarding the visual recognition target using the above-described radio wave, the transmission output of the radio wave transmitted by the IC chip is usually weak power of about several microwatts to several milliwatts. Therefore, the radio wave transmitted by the IC chip reaches only within a limited range of several centimeters to several meters from the IC chip. That is, in order to acquire information regarding the visual recognition target, it is necessary for the viewer to move so as to be within the reach of the radio wave transmitted by the IC chip. In other words, the viewer can easily and accurately obtain information regarding the visual target in the strong electric field area where the electric field intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the IC chip is strong, but the weak electric field area where the electric field intensity is weak. Alternatively, in a dead area or the like, it is difficult or impossible to acquire information regarding the visual recognition target. As described above, it is impossible for information transmission means using a conventional IC chip to acquire information about a visual target far from a viewer.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to obtain information on a visual target instantly and easily, and it is thin, lightweight, and has low power consumption with excellent portability and user interface. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable information terminal device and a display device thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the portable information terminal device according to the present invention specifies a visual target specifying unit that specifies a visual target and outputs a signal, and the visual recognition based on the signal output by the visual target specifying unit. Data acquisition means for acquiring and outputting data related to a target from predetermined information search means, a visual recognition device for displaying information regarding the visual recognition target based on the data output by the data acquisition means, and the visual recognition target specifying means Information processing means for processing the signal to be output and outputting it to the data acquisition means and processing the data output by the data acquisition means and outputting the data to the visual recognition device; the visual recognition target specifying means; and the data Power acquisition means for driving at least the acquisition means, the visual recognition device, and the information processing means. A visible device visible to the visual target, configuration in which the information relating to the visual target when viewing the visual target through the viewing device is displayed on the visual device is preferably (claim 1). With such a configuration, when the viewer visually recognizes the visual recognition target with the visual recognition device, the information regarding the visual recognition target is displayed on the visual recognition device, so that the information regarding the visual recognition target can be acquired instantly and easily. .

  In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined information search means is an external information processing base, and the data acquisition means acquires the data from the external information processing base by wireless communication. With such a configuration, since the data acquisition unit acquires data from the external information processing base by wireless communication, it is possible to easily acquire information regarding the visual target at an arbitrary place.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the visual recognition device is a see-through visual device that can visually recognize the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device. With such a configuration, since the visual recognition device is a see-through visual recognition device, the visual recognition target can be visually recognized through the visual recognition device.

  In the above case, a configuration in which the visual recognition target specifying unit is an imaging unit is preferable. With such a configuration, the visual recognition target specifying unit can be configured by an imaging unit such as a digital camera that has been suitably used conventionally, and thus the portable information terminal device can be configured relatively inexpensively.

  In this case, it is preferable that the image of the visual target captured by the imaging unit is displayed on the visual recognition device (Claim 5). With this configuration, the image to be viewed is displayed on the viewing device, so that the viewing target can be viewed by the viewing device.

  In this case, it is preferable that an image signal related to the image is output as the signal from the imaging means. With this configuration, an image signal related to the visual recognition target is output from the imaging unit, and thus it is possible to accurately acquire information regarding the visual recognition target.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the visual target specifying means is a wireless means. Even in such a configuration, since the visual recognition target specifying means can be configured by wireless means such as a receiving apparatus that has been suitably used conventionally, it is possible to configure the portable information terminal device relatively inexpensively.

  In this case, the visual recognition object includes a transmission unit that transmits electromagnetic waves, the wireless unit includes an antenna having directivity, and the radio unit uses the directivity of the antenna to transmit the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the transmission unit. In such a configuration, the information is selectively received (claim 8). With such a configuration, the radio unit selectively receives the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission unit using the directivity of the antenna, so that the visual target can be easily selected.

  In this case, it is preferable that the electromagnetic wave includes an identification signal for identifying the visual recognition target, and the identification signal extracted from the electromagnetic wave by the wireless unit is output from the wireless unit as the signal. Item 9). With this configuration, since the identification signal related to the visual recognition target is output from the wireless unit, it is possible to accurately acquire information regarding the visual recognition target.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the visual recognition device is a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display device. With such a configuration, the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display device does not require a polarizing plate having a light attenuation necessary for a TN type liquid crystal display device or the like, and thus has a high light transmittance and allows a visual target to be viewed through. Therefore, a portable information terminal device with excellent visibility can be configured.

  In the above case, a configuration in which the visual recognition device is a display device having an image memory property is preferable. With such a configuration, by using a display device having an image memory property, it is possible to continuously display information necessary for the viewer for a long time without supplying power. In addition, since the visual recognition device can be removed, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal device having excellent portability.

  In this case, the display device having the image memory property is preferably a cholesteric liquid crystal display device. With such a configuration, a display device having an image memory property can be easily configured using an existing display device.

  In this case, it is preferable that the display device having the image memory property is a charged particle movement type display device. Even with such a configuration, it becomes possible to easily configure a display device having an image memory property using an existing display device.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the charged particle movement type display device has a plurality of charged particles for image display, and the plurality of charged particles include at least charged particles having optical transparency. ). With such a configuration, since the plurality of charged particles include at least charged particles having optical transparency, a see-through type display device using the charged particle movement type display device can be preferably configured.

  In the above case, the charged particle movement type display device includes a first electrode and a second electrode for moving the plurality of charged particles for each pixel arranged in a matrix, and the first electrode and the second electrode A configuration in which the two electrodes are made of a transparent dielectric is preferable. With such a configuration, since the transparent dielectric has good light transmissivity, a see-through display device with excellent visibility can be easily configured.

  In the above case, the charged particle movement type display device has a pair of transparent substrates for enclosing the plurality of charged particles, and the first electrode and the first electrode are formed on one transparent substrate of the pair of transparent substrates. A configuration in which two electrodes are formed is preferable. With such a configuration, since the first electrode and the second electrode are formed on one transparent substrate, it is possible to prevent the configuration of the charged particle migration type display device from becoming complicated.

  In the above case, the charged particle movement type display device has a pair of transparent substrates for enclosing the plurality of charged particles, each of the pair of transparent substrates is made of a resinous film and has a thickness of A configuration of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less is preferable (claim 17). With such a configuration, the resin film having a thickness of 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less is highly flexible, so that it is possible to provide a charged particle movement type display device having excellent flexibility.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the charged particle movement type display device is driven by a passive matrix drive method. With such a configuration, since an image is displayed by passive matrix driving, a display device can be configured with a simple configuration.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the charged particle movement type display device is driven by an active matrix drive method. With such a configuration, since an image is displayed by active matrix driving, it is possible to perform high-quality image display using a relatively large-scale display device that requires several hundred or more scanning electrodes. .

  In this case, the charged particle migration type display device has an active element for controlling application of voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode for each pixel arranged in a matrix, and a semiconductor layer of the active element Is preferably composed of an organic semiconductor (claim 20). With such a configuration, since the semiconductor layer can be a thin film-like flexible semiconductor layer formed by printing or the like, it is possible to suitably configure a display device that does not impair flexibility. become.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the visual recognition device is detachably attached to at least one of the information processing means and the power supply means (claim 21). With such a configuration, since the visual recognition device can be handled by being detached from the main body of the portable information terminal device, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal device that is excellent in convenience.

  In the above case, it is preferable that the information processing unit and the power supply unit are configured to be located outside the display unit of the visual recognition device (claim 22). With such a configuration, since the information processing means and the power supply means are disposed so as to be located outside the display unit of the visual recognition device, a see-through portable information terminal device can be suitably configured.

  The present invention is implemented by the solution as described above, and can acquire information on a visual target instantly and easily, and is thin, lightweight, and has low power consumption with excellent portability and user interface. The portable information terminal device can be provided.

  In addition, by using the see-through display device with thin and light weight and low power consumption according to the present invention, a thin and lightweight portable information terminal device excellent in portability and user interface is specifically provided. Can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view schematically showing a configuration of a portable information terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 1 (b) is FIG. It is sectional drawing in the Ib-Ib line | wire of a).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment specifies a visual target such as an exhibition in a museum or a display in a store and outputs a predetermined signal. And the data (for example, electronic data including information such as the name, characteristics, and price of the visual target) related to the visual target information described above based on the predetermined signal output by the visual target identification unit 4 A communication unit 5 including an antenna unit 5a that obtains wireless processing from a processing base and outputs it, and information related to a visual target based on the above-described data output by the communication unit 5 (for example, the name, characteristics, The visual device 1 that displays information such as price) and the predetermined signal output from the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 described above are appropriately processed and output to the communication unit 5 described above and output from the communication unit 5 An information processing unit 2 that processes data and outputs the processed data to the visual recognition device 1, and a power supply unit 3 for driving at least the visual recognition target specifying unit 4, the communication unit 5, the visual recognition device 1, and the information processing unit 2. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the visual recognition device 1 according to the present embodiment has a horizontally long rectangular shape in a front view. In the present embodiment, a see-through type charged particle movement display device that can visually recognize a visual recognition object through the visual recognition device 1 is used as the visual recognition device 1. In this charged particle movement type display device, a plurality of charged particles move by applying a voltage according to an image signal to an electrode in which the charged particles are installed, thereby displaying an image according to the image signal. .

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an information processing unit 2 and a power supply unit 3 are provided behind the visual recognition device 1. Here, the information processing section 2 usually has at least an arithmetic element (large scale integrated circuit) such as an MPU or a CPU. The power supply unit 3 usually has at least power supply means such as a chargeable / dischargeable battery (secondary battery). And these information processing part 2 and the power supply part 3 are formed in the frame shape (rectangular plate shape which has an opening in the center) of the substantially fixed width | variety, as shown to Fig.1 (a) and FIG.1 (b). Has been. The visual recognition device 1, the information processing unit 2, and the power supply unit 3 are arranged so that the back surface of the peripheral part of the visual recognition device 1 and the surface of the inner edge part of the information processing unit 2 are in contact with each other. The back surface of the unit and the surface of the inner edge of the power supply unit 3 are detachably integrated with each other so that they are in contact with each other. That is, the portable information terminal device 100 is configured to be able to visually recognize the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device 1 of the portable information terminal device 100. Moreover, the portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the visual recognition device 1, the information processing unit 2, and the power supply unit 3 are separable from each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, a visual recognition object specifying unit 4 and a communication unit 5 are provided at predetermined positions in the information processing unit 2, respectively. The communication unit 5 has an antenna unit 5 a extending from the communication unit 5. Here, as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 according to the present embodiment, a digital camera or the like having an imaging device such as a CCD element and capable of outputting image information related to the visual recognition target as electronic data is preferably used. As the visual recognition target specifying unit 4, any visual recognition target specifying means may be used as long as it can output identification information related to the visual recognition target as electronic data. For example, as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 other than the digital camera described above, it is possible to use a wireless reception device or the like that can receive radio waves transmitted from a small IC chip provided on the visual recognition target. This IC chip has an antenna portion, and transmits radio waves via this antenna portion. In this case, identification information regarding the visual recognition target is stored in advance in the storage unit included in the IC chip, and the identification information is transmitted as electronic data from the transmission unit included in the IC chip via the antenna unit. That is, the wireless reception device as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 receives radio waves transmitted from the IC chip, and acquires identification information related to the visual recognition target. Thereby, the wireless receiving device as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 functions in the same manner as in the case of using the above-described imaging element such as a CCD. A technique for recording or reading information data related to the visual recognition target by wireless communication using radio waves via an antenna has been conventionally called RFID.

  FIG. 2 is an external view schematically showing a state in which the visual recognition device and the power supply unit are removed from the portable information terminal device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that visual device 1, information processing unit 2, and power supply unit 3 can be separated from each other as necessary. Yes. In this way, in particular, when the viewing device 1 is configured to be separable from the information processing unit 2, when only the information displayed on the viewing device 1 is to be viewed, only the viewing device 1 is separated from the main body and carried. It becomes possible. That is, the visual recognition device 1 can be handled like electronic paper. As a result, it is possible to provide the portable information terminal device 100 having features with excellent portability. In addition, as an integration means for making the visual recognition device 1, the information processing section 2, and the power supply section 3 separable from each other as necessary, there is no particular limitation, and an existing integration means is used. Is possible.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the visual recognition device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the visual recognition device 1 are defined as shown in FIG. 3 for convenience.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operating principle of the visual recognition device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the visual recognition device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a display unit 13 including a plurality of pixels 14 arranged in a matrix. The visual recognition device 1 includes a first electrode driver 11 and a second electrode driver 12 that drive the display unit 13 for image display. Furthermore, the visual recognition device 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12 for image display. Each pixel 14 includes a first electrode and a second electrode (not shown in FIG. 3) as will be described later. These first electrode and second electrode are connected to the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12. Each is connected. Each of the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12 is connected to the control unit 10.

  When an image is displayed on the display unit 13 of the visual recognition device 1, an image signal for displaying an image is input to the control unit 10 by the information processing unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. A voltage corresponding to the input image signal is applied from the control unit 10 to the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12. As a result, a voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied from the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12 to the first electrode and the second electrode. Then, a voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and charged particles described later move in each of the pixels 14, thereby causing the display unit 13 to convert the image signal to the image signal. A corresponding image is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a state diagram schematically showing the state of the pixel when the character display of the visual recognition device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not performed, and FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view. (B) is sectional drawing in the IVb-IVb line | wire of Fig.4 (a). FIG. 5 is a state diagram schematically showing the state of the pixels when the character display of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed, and FIG. 5 (a) is a plan view. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 4 and 5 schematically show the internal state of one pixel in the visual recognition device. For convenience of explanation, the X direction and Y direction in the figure are the horizontal direction and vertical direction of the display unit 13 shown in FIG. 3, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the display unit 13 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the pixel 14 of the visual recognition device 1 according to the present embodiment, the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 are opposed to each other via a spacer not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Has been placed. The upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 are made of a transparent resin film having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the visual recognition device 1 into a lightweight and flexible visual recognition device. The gap G between the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 is about 100 μm in the present embodiment. The air layer 26 having a gap G of about 100 μm formed by the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 is filled with two kinds of charged particle groups charged positively or negatively here. Here, the two types of charged particle groups are composed of positively charged non-colored transparent particles 23 and negatively charged black particles 22. In the present embodiment, the black particles 22 are dispersed in the air layer 26 between the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 together with the transparent particles 23.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the gap G of the air layer 26 formed by the above-described spacer is about 100 μm. The air layer 26 is filled with black particles 22 and transparent particles 23. Here, the filling rate of the black particles 22 is about 5% to 20% by weight of the black particles 22 in terms of the volume of the air layer 26. On the other hand, the filling rate of the transparent particles 23 filled in the air layer 26 together with the black particles 22 is about 80% to 95%. Therefore, the proportion of the area occupied by the black particles 22 in the display area of the visual recognition device 1 is relatively small. Therefore, since the light transmittance of the visual recognition device 1 is 20% or less as a whole, there is no problem in observing the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device 1.

  In the present embodiment, spherical black particles synthesized from acrylic particles, black carbon or the like are used as the black particles 22. The particle size of the black particles 22 is about 1 μm to 10 μm. In order to prevent the black particles 22 from aggregating, it is preferable that the black particles 22 have a uniform particle size. On the other hand, as the transparent particles 23, spherical transparent particles made of a colorless and transparent acrylic resin are used. In order to prevent aggregation of the transparent particles 23, it is preferable that the transparent particles 23 have a uniform particle size as in the case of the black particles 22.

  Furthermore, as the transparent particles 23 and the black particles 22, it is preferable to use particles having a small specific gravity and excellent fluidity. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the spherical silica particles having a diameter of 30 nm are fixed on the entire surface of the spherical acrylic particles having a diameter of 5 μm using a fixing method such as mechanochemical. Here, the silica fine particles subjected to the charging treatment are used as the above-mentioned silica fine particles, and as a result, the transparent particles 23 and the black particles 22 as a whole are charged particles. In order to further reduce the specific gravity of the transparent particles 23 and the black particles 22, it is more desirable to use hollow or porous particles as the acrylic particles. By setting it as such a structure, since the fluidity | liquidity of the transparent particle 23 and the black particle 22 improves further, the frictional resistance at the time of particle | grain movement becomes small. Further, since the frictional resistance is reduced, the kinetic energy required for the movement of the particles is reduced, so that the responsiveness (response speed) in image display is increased and driving at a low voltage is possible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the lower surface of the upper substrate 24, a comb-shaped first electrode 20 having a main body portion 20 b and a plurality of comb-tooth portions 20 a is adjacent to the first electrode 20. A rectangular second electrode 21 provided for each pixel so as to be surrounded by the comb-tooth portion 20a is formed. Here, the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 21 are electrically insulated from each other. The first electrode 20 and the second electrode 21 are transparent conductors made of a transparent electrode material such as ITO. Note that a plurality of comb-tooth portions 20 a of the first electrode 20 are connected by a main body portion 20 b in the horizontal direction (X direction) of the display portion 13. The main body 20b is connected to the first electrode driver 11 by a predetermined wiring. The second electrode 21 is electrically connected by a wiring (not shown) in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the display unit 13 and further connected to the second electrode driver 12.

  As described above, in the visual recognition device 1 according to the present embodiment, the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 on which the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 21 are formed are bonded to each other via a predetermined spacer. The air layer 26 between the upper substrate 24 and the lower substrate 25 is filled with transparent particles 23 and black particles 22 as charged particles. ing. Note that a black matrix is formed at a predetermined position on the upper substrate 24 facing the first electrode 20. Therefore, any electrode material other than ITO that does not have transparency may be used as the electrode material of the first electrode 20.

  Next, the operation of the visual recognition device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the visual recognition device 1 of the portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment, an image signal is input to the control unit 10 from the information processing unit 2 illustrated in FIG. Then, the control unit 10 outputs a control signal corresponding to the input image signal to the first electrode driver 11 and the second electrode driver 12, respectively. As a result, the first electrode driver 11 applies a predetermined voltage to the first electrode 20, and the second electrode driver 12 forms a voltage corresponding to the image signal in each pixel 14 in accordance with the application timing. The second electrode 21 is applied.

  In the visual recognition device 1, the operation when character information or the like is not displayed is realized as follows. That is, according to the control signal output from the control unit 10, the first electrode driver 11 has a positive voltage with respect to the first electrode 20, and the second electrode driver 12 has a negative voltage with respect to the second electrode 21. A voltage is applied to each. Here, as described above, the transparent particles 23 are precharged to a positive charge, and the black particles 22 are precharged to a negative charge. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the transparent particles 23 are on the surface of the second electrode 21, and the black particles 22 are on the surface of the first electrode 20. Each attracts and adheres by electrostatic attraction. Incidentally, as described above, the second electrode 21 is made of a transparent conductor, and the transparent particles 23 are made of colorless and transparent particles. A black matrix having the same shape as the first electrode is formed at a predetermined position facing the first electrode 20. Therefore, the display unit 13 of the visual recognition device 1 is in a state where no character information or the like is displayed. That is, the visual recognition device 1 is in a state where the visual recognition target can be visually recognized through the visual recognition device 1. Thereby, the viewer can observe the visual recognition target via the visual recognition device 1 (through).

  On the other hand, in the visual recognition device 1, the operation when character information or the like is displayed is realized as follows. That is, according to the control signal output from the control unit 10, the first electrode driver 11 has a negative voltage with respect to the first electrode 20, and the second electrode driver 12 has a positive voltage with respect to the second electrode 21. A voltage is applied to each. At this time, since the transparent particles 23 are precharged to a positive charge and the black particles 22 are precharged to a negative charge, the transparent particles 23 are first charged as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). The black particles 22 are attracted and adhered to the surface of the first electrode 20 and the surface of the second electrode 21 by electrostatic attraction. In this case, as described above, since the second electrode 21 is made of a transparent conductor, an image such as character information corresponding to the image signal is displayed on the display unit 13 of the visual recognition device 1. In this case, since an image such as character information is displayed only on a part of the display unit 13, the viewer can continue to observe the visual target via the visual recognition device 1. That is, the visual recognition of the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device 1 and the information related to the visual recognition object can be visually recognized simultaneously. As a result, the viewer can easily acquire information regarding the visual recognition target.

  As described above, when displaying character information, necessary information can be displayed by moving the black particles 22 negatively charged by applying a positive voltage to the second electrode 21 onto the second electrode. It becomes possible. Then, since the black particles 22 that have moved once and adhered to the second electrode 21 are firmly adhered to the second electrode 21 by an adhesion force such as van der Waals force or mirror image force, the power source unit 3 supplies power. Even when not being supplied, it is possible to maintain the display of character information and the like related to the visual recognition target. That is, since the visual recognition device 1 using the charged particle movement type display device according to the present embodiment has an image memory property, it is necessary without supplying power after the character information is once displayed. It is possible to continue to display various information. This makes it possible to configure a portable information terminal device with excellent portability and low power consumption. Further, even if the visual recognition device 1 is detached from the portable information terminal device 100, the displayed information is retained without being erased.

  Next, the configuration and operation of a portable information terminal system using the portable information terminal device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a system diagram schematically showing a first configuration of the portable information terminal system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a form in which a digital camera having an imaging element such as a CCD element is used as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when acquiring information related to the visual target 7 such as a presentation or display, the user of the portable information terminal device 100 visually recognizes the visual target 7 through the see-through visual device 1. . At this time, the imaging unit 101 configured with a digital camera or the like captures the same image as the visual target 7 visually recognized by the user of the portable information terminal device 100 in real time, and receives an image signal related to the captured image as the information processing unit 2. Output to. Then, the information processing unit 2 processes the image signal output from the imaging unit 101 as necessary, and then outputs the processed image signal to the communication unit 5. In the communication unit 5, when an image signal processed as necessary in the information processing unit 2 is input, the communication unit 5 uses a transmission signal modulated by the image signal using a predetermined modulation method as a radio wave. Is transmitted to the external information processing base 8 via the antenna unit 5a of the. In this case, it is desirable that the modulation method be digital modulation from the viewpoint of preventing demodulation error of the transmitted radio wave.

  On the other hand, in the external information processing base 8, the radio wave transmitted from the communication unit 5 of the portable information terminal device 100 is received by the antenna unit 8 e included in the external information processing base 8. Then, in the antenna unit 8e, the received radio wave is converted into a transmission signal (high frequency current). The transmission signal converted by the antenna unit 8a is input to the communication unit 8a included in the external information processing base 8, and demodulated by the communication unit 8a to extract an image signal. Then, the extracted image signal related to the visual recognition target 7 is transmitted to the analysis unit 8 b of the external information processing base 8.

  When the image signal related to the visual target 7 is transmitted to the analysis unit 8b of the external information processing base 8, information such as the name, characteristics, and price regarding the visual target 7 is externally processed by image analysis based on the transmitted image signal. The data is searched and collected in the analysis unit 8b of the base 8. At this time, the analysis unit 8b searches and collects information regarding the visual target 7 using the image signal input from the communication unit 8a and the image signal stored in the database 8d of the storage unit 8c.

  When information related to the visual recognition target 7 is retrieved and collected by the analysis unit 8b, the information is converted into a data signal and input to the communication unit 8a. In the communication unit 8a, a transmission signal modulated by the data signal using a predetermined modulation method is generated. And this communication part 8a transmits this transmission signal from the antenna part 8e as a radio wave.

  The radio wave transmitted from the antenna unit 8 e of the external information processing base 8 is received by the antenna unit 5 a included in the communication unit 5 of the portable information terminal device 100. In the antenna unit 5a, the received radio wave is converted into a transmission signal (high-frequency current). The converted transmission signal is input to the communication unit 5. Then, the communication unit 5 demodulates the converted transmission signal, extracts a data signal, and outputs the extracted data signal to the information processing unit 2.

  When a data signal having information relating to a visual target output from the communication unit 5 is input to the information processing unit 2, the information processing unit 2 generates an image display signal for image display using the input data signal. This image display signal is input to the visual recognition device 1. In response to the input image display signal, the visual recognition device 1 displays information on the visual recognition target visually recognized by the user of the portable information terminal device 100 on the display unit 13 of the visual recognition device 1 as character information, for example. At this time, the user visually recognizes the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device 1 and simultaneously recognizes information regarding the visual recognition object. That is, by using the portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire information regarding the visual recognition object instantaneously and easily. In addition, the structure which specifies a visual recognition target using such an imaging means is especially effective when the visual recognition target is far from the viewer.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a system diagram schematically showing a second configuration of the portable information terminal system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a form in which a receiving device capable of receiving and demodulating radio waves transmitted from an IC chip or the like is used as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4. Compared with the first configuration shown in FIG. 6, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, an IC chip or the like is provided in the visual target, and the visual target is received by receiving radio waves transmitted by the IC chip. It differs in the point to identify. For this reason, in the following description, only the difference is demonstrated and the description regarding the point which does not have another difference is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a small IC chip 6 is provided on the visual recognition target 7 visually recognized by the user of the portable information terminal device 100. The IC chip 6 is usually called a wireless tag, an RF tag, or an IC tag. The IC chip 6 has a storage unit therein, and identification data for identifying the visual target 7 is stored in the storage unit. The IC chip 6 has a transmission unit that generates and transmits a radio wave in which the identification data is modulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the IC chip 6 has an antenna portion 6a. Then, the IC chip 6 transmits the radio wave in which the identification data described above is modulated from the transmission unit via the antenna unit 6a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the portable information terminal device 100 includes a receiving unit 102 that can receive radio waves transmitted from the IC chip 6. The receiving unit 102 includes an antenna unit 102a having a sharp directivity. When the user of the portable information terminal device 100 visually recognizes the visual target 7 through the visual recognition device 1, the antenna unit 102a receives only the radio wave transmitted from the IC chip 6 due to the sharp directivity. That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the antenna unit 102 a receives a radio wave transmitted from the IC chip 6 via the antenna unit 6 a, converts it to a transmission signal (high-frequency current), and outputs this to the receiving unit 102. . Then, in the receiving unit 102, the transmission signal input from the antenna unit 102a is demodulated, and the identification data stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 6 is extracted. The identification data is output to the information processing unit 2. The portable information terminal device 100 displays information regarding the visual target 7 on the display unit 13 of the visual recognition device 1 based on the identification data input to the information processing unit 2. Even with this configuration, as in the case of using a digital camera or the like as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4, visual recognition of the visual recognition object 7 and recognition of information such as a name and a feature regarding the visual recognition object 7 can be performed simultaneously. In addition, the structure which specifies visual recognition object using such a receiving device is especially effective when the visual recognition object exists in the vicinity from the viewer. About another point, it is the same as that of the case where the visual recognition object specific | specification part 4 shown in FIG. 6 is comprised by imaging means, such as a digital camera.

  As described above, according to the portable information terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment, the user can instantly view information regarding the visual target 7 observed through the see-through visual device 1 simultaneously with the visual recognition of the visual target 7. It can be easily obtained. At this time, information relating to the visual target 7 can be easily acquired by merely visualizing the visual target 7 through the visual recognition device 1 without complicated work. In addition, regardless of the distance between the user and the visual target 7, information regarding the visual target 7 can be obtained even when the visual target 7 is far from the user or when the visual target 7 is in the vicinity of the user. It is possible to earn easily. Moreover, since the display device which has flexibility is used as the visual recognition device 1, it becomes possible to handle the visual recognition device 1 like an electronic paper. Furthermore, since a display device having an image memory property is used as the visual recognition device 1, it becomes possible to configure the portable information terminal device 100 with low power consumption and to remove the visual recognition device 1 from the portable information terminal device 100. Is possible.

  In the present embodiment, a charged particle movement type display device is used as the visual recognition device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any display device can be used as long as it can constitute a see-through visual device. It may be used. For example, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device can be used as the visual recognition device 1. This polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display device does not have an image memory property, but does not use a light-reducing deflecting plate, and therefore has an excellent light transmittance. Therefore, it is suitable as a see-through type visual recognition device. Further, a cholesteric liquid crystal display device can be used as the visual recognition device 1. Since this cholesteric liquid crystal display device has an image memory property, it is possible to constitute a portable information terminal device 100 similar to the case where a charged particle movement type display device is used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the form using a see-through display device as the visual recognition device 1 has been described. However, a reflective liquid crystal display device is used as the visual recognition device 1 and a digital camera or the like as the visual recognition target specifying unit 4 is used. The image of the visual target 7 picked up in this manner may be processed in a life-size manner and displayed on the visual recognition device 1 so that it can be displayed in a pseudo manner similar to see-through. According to such a configuration, since the reflective liquid crystal display device does not require a light source such as a backlight, the portable information terminal device has lower power consumption and is thinner and lighter than when a transmissive liquid crystal display device is used. 100 can be configured.

  In this embodiment, passive matrix driving is applied as the driving method of the visual recognition device 1. Specifically, in the present embodiment, this is driven in a passive matrix using a charged particle movement type display device. Here, this charged particle movement type display device is a display device that performs display by moving charged particles in the gas phase, and since there is a threshold voltage necessary for moving charged particles, passive matrix driving is performed. Can be displayed. On the other hand, in the case of a display device in which particles move in a liquid phase, such as an electrophoretic display device, there is no threshold voltage necessary for driving the particles, so that crosstalk is likely to occur. Therefore, when this electrophoretic display device is used, it is difficult to apply passive matrix driving.

  In addition, in order to perform high-quality image display using a relatively large-scale display device that requires several hundred or more scanning electrodes, an active element is provided for each pixel, and the active element is turned on / off. It is preferable that a voltage is applied to the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 21 for each pixel by performing the off control, thereby displaying an image. That is, it is preferable to apply active matrix driving as the driving method of the visual recognition device 1. In this case, as the active element, it is preferable to use an organic thin film transistor (organic TFT) using an organic semiconductor as a material of the semiconductor layer. With this configuration, since the semiconductor layer of the organic TFT is a thin film-like flexible semiconductor layer formed by printing or the like, the organic TFT is made of a resin substrate (that is, the upper substrate 24). And the lower substrate 25)), the visual recognition device 1 that does not impair the flexibility can be suitably configured. That is, the visual recognition device 1 can be configured like electronic paper, and thereby the portability and convenience of the visual recognition device 1 can be further improved.

  Further, in the see-through type charged particle movement type display device described above, monochrome display can be easily realized, but realization of high-quality color display is difficult. Therefore, when high-quality color display is required, it is desirable to use an inorganic EL type or organic EL type display device as the visual recognition device 1. However, regardless of which color display device is used, the color display device is not suitable for long-time image display because it does not have image memory properties. For this reason, when color display is required, the image quality is slightly lowered, but it is considered that a configuration using a charged particle movement type display device having a color filter of the three primary colors of light is realistic.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a mode has been described in which wireless communication is performed between the portable information terminal device 100 and the external information processing base 8, and information regarding the visual target 7 is acquired by the wireless communication. It is not limited to the form using communication. For example, the portable information terminal device 100 may include a storage medium having information related to the visual target 7 and a driving unit thereof, and may acquire information related to the visual target 7 from the storage medium. In this case, examples of the storage medium include a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, a memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark), a smart media, a memory stick, and a microdrive. With this configuration, the communication unit 5 is not necessary, and it is possible to reliably acquire information on the visual target 7 even when the viewer is in a dead zone or a place where wireless communication is difficult such as in a hospital. become.

  The portable information terminal device and the display device according to the present invention can acquire article information related to a visual recognition object instantaneously and easily, and are thin, lightweight, and have low power consumption with excellent portability and user interface. It is useful as a portable information terminal device and a display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view which shows typically the structure of the portable information terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: Fig.1 (a) is a front view, FIG.1 (b) is Ib of Fig.1 (a). It is sectional drawing in the -Ib line. It is an external view which shows typically the state which removed the visual recognition device and the power supply part from the portable information terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of the display device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4A is a state diagram schematically illustrating a state of a pixel when the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not displaying characters, FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in the IVb-IVb line | wire of Fig.4 (a). FIGS. 5A and 5B are state diagrams schematically showing a state of pixels in a case where character display of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in the Vb-Vb line | wire of Fig.5 (a). 1 is a system diagram schematically showing a first configuration of a portable information terminal system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a system diagram which shows typically the 2nd structure of the portable information terminal system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Visual recognition device 2 Information processing part 3 Power supply part 4 Visual recognition object specific part 5 Communication part 5a Antenna part 6 IC chip 6a Antenna part 7 Visual object 8 External information processing base 8a Communication part 8b Analysis part 8c Storage part 8d Database 8e Antenna part 10 Control unit 11 First electrode driver 12 Second electrode driver 13 Display unit 14 Pixel 20 First electrode 20a Comb tooth portion 20b Main body portion 21 Second electrode 22 Black particles 23 Transparent particles 24 Upper substrate 25 Lower substrate 26 Air layer 100 Carrying Type information terminal device 101 Imaging unit 102 Receiving unit 102a Antenna unit G gap

Claims (22)

A visual target identification means for identifying the visual target and outputting a signal;
Data acquisition means for acquiring and outputting data relating to the visual recognition object from a predetermined information search means based on the signal output by the visual recognition object specifying means;
A visual recognition device that displays information related to the visual recognition target based on the data output by the data acquisition means;
Information processing means for processing the signal output by the visual recognition target specifying means and outputting the processed data to the data acquisition means and processing the data output by the data acquisition means and outputting the data to the visual recognition device;
A power supply means for driving at least the visual recognition object specifying means, the data acquisition means, the visual recognition device, and the information processing means,
The visual recognition device is a visual recognition device capable of visually recognizing the visual recognition target;
The portable information terminal device in which the information related to the visual recognition target is displayed on the visual recognition device when the visual recognition target is visually recognized via the visual recognition device. The predetermined information retrieval means is an external information processing base;
The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the data from the external information processing base by wireless communication.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition device is a see-through visual recognition device capable of visually recognizing the visual recognition object through the visual recognition device.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition target specifying unit is an imaging unit.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein an image of the visual target captured by the imaging unit is displayed on the visual recognition device.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 4, wherein an image signal related to the image is output from the imaging unit as the signal.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition target specifying unit is a wireless unit. The visual recognition target includes a transmission unit that transmits electromagnetic waves,
The wireless means comprises a directional antenna;
The portable information terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the radio unit selectively receives the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission unit using directivity of the antenna. The electromagnetic wave includes an identification signal for identifying the visual target;
The portable information terminal device according to claim 7, wherein the identification signal extracted from the electromagnetic wave by the wireless unit is output from the wireless unit as the signal.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 4 or 7, wherein the visual recognition device is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 4 or 7, wherein the visual recognition device is a display device having an image memory property.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the display device having an image memory property is a cholesteric liquid crystal display device.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 11, wherein the display device having an image memory property is a charged particle movement type display device.   14. The portable information terminal device according to claim 13, wherein the charged particle movement type display device has a plurality of charged particles for image display, and the plurality of charged particles include at least charged particles having optical transparency. .   The charged particle movement type display device has a first electrode and a second electrode for moving the plurality of charged particles for each pixel arranged in a matrix, and the first electrode and the second electrode are transparent dielectrics. The portable information terminal device according to claim 13, comprising:   The charged particle movement type display device has a pair of transparent substrates for enclosing the plurality of charged particles, and the first electrode and the second electrode are formed on one transparent substrate of the pair of transparent substrates. The portable information terminal device according to claim 13.   The charged particle movement type display device has a pair of transparent substrates for enclosing the plurality of charged particles, each of the pair of transparent substrates is made of a resinous film, and the thickness thereof is 0.1 mm or more and 0.0. The portable information terminal device according to claim 13, which is 5 mm or less.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 13, wherein a driving method of the charged particle movement display device is a passive matrix driving method.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 13, wherein a driving system of the charged particle movement type display device is an active matrix driving system.   The charged particle movement type display device has an active element for controlling the application of voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode for each pixel arranged in a matrix, and the semiconductor layer of the active element is an organic semiconductor The portable information terminal device according to claim 19, comprising:   The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition device is detachably attached to at least one of the information processing means and the power supply means.   The portable information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing unit and the power source unit are configured to be located outside a display unit of the visual recognition device.

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