JP2006173913A - Transceiver, mobile terminal, and service providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transceiver, for accurately grasping a communication status to report it to a user even if it is used for communication in a visually unrecognizable state, which allows an electric field transmission medium to induce an electric field on the basis of information to be transmitted and detects the induced electric field for information transmission and reception. <P>SOLUTION: The transceiver 1 for utilizing a signal detection technology adopting an electrooptic method for employing a laser beam and an electrooptic crystal, allowing a living body being the electric field transmission medium to induce an electric field on the basis of the information to be transmitted, and carrying out transmission and reception of the information by using the induced electric field, includes a connection state monitor section 101 and a connection state report section 102. The connection state monitor section 101 monitors a signal outputted from a reception section 910 to detect the start and end of communication via the electric field transmission medium. The connection state report section 102 selects a tone such as a poo tone for the communication start and a whistle tone for the communication end in response to a communication state detected by the connection state monitor section 101 and outputs the selected tone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium, detects the induced electric field, and transmits / receives information, a portable terminal device using the transceiver, and a service using the transceiver The present invention relates to a providing device.

  Although wearable computers are attracting attention due to the miniaturization and high performance of portable terminals, FIG. 8 shows an example in which such wearable computers are used while being worn by humans. As shown in the figure, the wearable computer 7 is mounted on a person's arm, shoulder, torso, etc. via a transceiver 9 to transmit / receive data to / from each other, and is further provided on the wall or floor so that it can be touched by the tip of a limb. Communication is performed with a personal computer (PC) 8 provided outside through the transceivers 9a and 9b and the cables.

  Here, the transceiver 9 used for data communication between the wearable computer 7 and between the wearable computer 7 and the PC 8 has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. It uses signal detection technology based on electro-optic techniques that use a signal, induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium, and transmits and receives information using the induced electric field. .

  More specifically, when the transceiver 9 receives transmission data from the computer 6 via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transceiver 9 supplies the transmission data to the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the transmission unit 902. An electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium via 903 and the insulating film 904, and this electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium. In addition, the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium is detected by the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the insulating film 904, and this electric field is coupled to the electric field detection optical unit 905 and converted into an electric signal. . This electric signal is subjected to signal processing such as amplification and noise removal by the signal processing circuit 906, and further subjected to waveform shaping by the waveform shaping circuit 907, and then via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901. Is output.

The prior art document information related to this application includes the following.
JP 2001-352298 A

  The transceiver 9 described above is used in a state where it is put on a human arm, shoulder, torso, etc. together with the wearable computer 7 and in a pocket or a bag (communication via an electric field transmission medium is possible). As a usage scene of the transceiver 9, it is assumed that a user having the transceiver 9 receives a predetermined service from the PC 8 (computer providing service) by contacting the transceiver 9a or 9b.

  In such a case, since the user can enjoy the service by a simple act of contact, the transceiver 9 and the wearable computer 7 are taken out one by one and an explicit operation for the service is performed, or the processing result is displayed. do not do. For this reason, when the transceiver 9 is used in a situation where it cannot be seen as described above, the user can check the status of biometric communication (for example, whether communication has been started, whether communication has been completed, whether a service has been provided). There is a problem that it cannot be accurately grasped.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an electric field based on information to be transmitted is induced in the electric field transmission medium, and the transceiver that transmits and receives information by detecting the induced electric field cannot be visually observed. An object of the present invention is to provide a transceiver, a portable terminal device, and a service providing device that can accurately notify the communication status even if communication is performed in the situation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is directed to receiving information in a transceiver for inducing an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and detecting the induced electric field to transmit / receive information. A communication state detecting means for obtaining a communication state of communication via the electric field transmission medium based on the presence or absence of a communication state, and a communication state for selecting and outputting sound or vibration corresponding to the communication state obtained by the communication state detecting means And a notification means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the communication state notifying unit outputs a sound volume or a scale when outputting a sound or a vibration when outputting according to an output level of received information. It is characterized by adjusting the magnitude of vibration or the vibration interval.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the sound or vibration selected according to the communication state can be set for each transceiver.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electric field based on information to be transmitted is induced in an electric field transmission medium, and a transceiver that detects the induced electric field and transmits / receives information is connected to the transceiver and performs predetermined processing. In the portable terminal device comprising: a computer for performing communication, the computer communicates communication via the electric field transmission medium taking into account an end state of the processing based on presence / absence of information received by the transceiver and a result of the processing Communication state detecting means for obtaining a state, and communication state notifying means for selecting and outputting sound or vibration corresponding to the communication state obtained by the communication state grasping means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the communication status notifying means outputs a sound volume or a scale when outputting with sound, or outputs with a vibration according to an output level of received information. It is characterized by adjusting the magnitude of vibration or the vibration interval.

  The present invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sound or vibration selected according to the communication state can be set for each computer.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is a service providing apparatus that provides a predetermined service to a user including the mobile terminal device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the mobile terminal device side has the service providing device. Based on the presence or absence of information received by the transceiver on the service providing apparatus side capable of communicating with the transceiver via the electric field transmission medium, and on the result of the service processing, the service processing end state The service providing side communication state detecting means for obtaining the communication state of the communication via the electric field transmission medium in consideration of and the display mode corresponding to the communication state obtained by the service providing side communication state detecting means are selected and displayed. Service providing side communication state display means.

  According to the present invention, an electric field based on information to be transmitted is induced in an electric field transmission medium, and even if communication is performed using a transceiver that detects the induced electric field and transmits / receives information in an invisible state, communication is performed. It is possible to provide a transceiver, a portable terminal device, and a service providing device that can accurately grasp the situation and notify the user.

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

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transceiver 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The transceiver 1 shown in FIG. 1 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal, and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium. A transceiver that transmits and receives information using an induced electric field, and includes a connection state monitoring unit 101 and a connection state notification unit 102, thereby grasping the state of communication through the electric field transmission medium and notifying according to each state. Sound is output.

  Specifically, when the transceiver 1 receives transmission data from the computer via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transceiver 1 supplies the transmission data to the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the transmission unit 902. An electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium via the insulating film 904, and this electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium. In addition, the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium is detected by the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the insulating film 904, and this electric field is coupled to the electric field detection optical unit 905 to convert it into an electric signal, and the signal processing circuit 906 Then, after performing signal processing such as amplification and noise removal, the waveform is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 907, and then output to the computer 6 via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901.

  The transceiver 1 monitors the signal output from the receiving unit 910 in the connection state monitoring unit 101, and detects the start and end of communication through the electric field transmission medium. Specifically, when reception data is received via the electric field transmission medium, a signal processed by the reception unit 910 is output. Therefore, by monitoring the presence or absence of the signal, communication is started (a state in which there is no signal). ) To detect the end of communication (when the signal changes from the state with a signal to the state without a signal). Then, the connection state notification unit 102 selects a sound corresponding to the communication state detected by the connection state monitoring unit 101, for example, a peep sound at the start of communication, a beep sound at the end of communication, and the like. , Is supposed to output.

  FIG. 2 shows a music playback system 100 that is a specific example using the transceiver 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), in the music playback system 100, a user carries a portable music playback player 10 comprising a computer 6A and a transceiver 1, and music played back by the portable music player. Is heard through headphones 20 including the computer 6B and the transceiver 9.

  More specifically, in the music playback system 100, when the user wears the headphones 20 as shown in FIG. 2B, the living body (electric field transmission medium) of the transceiver 1 of the portable transceiver 10 and the transceiver 9 of the headphones 20 is used. Thus, communication between the transceivers becomes possible, and music data is transmitted from the computer 6A of the portable transceiver 10 to the computer 6B of the headphones 20.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the music playback system 100 notifies the user of the communication state. The operation of notifying the user of the communication state of the music playback system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the computer 6B of the headphone 20 periodically transmits a connection signal through the transceiver 9 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every second).

  First, when a user carrying the portable music player 10 wears the headphones 20 (more precisely, when holding the headphones 20), communication between the portable music player 10 and the headphones 20 via a living body is possible. Therefore, the connection signal from the headphones 20 is detected by the connection state monitoring unit 101 of the transceiver 1, and it is determined that the communication is started, and the first notification sound (assigned to the communication start is assigned via the connection state monitoring unit 102). The generated sound, such as a shoe or a gacha, is output (steps S10, S20, S30). Thereby, the user can know that the music reproduction is ready.

  Thereafter, music data is exchanged between the computer 6A and the computer 6B, and the music playback system 100 provides the user with a music playback service (step S40).

  Next, when the user attaches / detaches the headphones 20, communication via the living body between the portable music player 10 and the headphones 20 becomes impossible. Therefore, a connection signal from the headphones 20 is transmitted to the connection state monitoring unit 101 of the transceiver 1. Cannot be detected, and it is determined that the communication has ended, and a second notification sound (a sound assigned to the communication end, such as gacha, shoe, etc.) is output via the connection state monitoring unit 102 (step S50, S60, S70). Thereby, the user can know that the provision of the music reproduction service has been finished, as well as his own actions.

  In addition, although the example which used the various sound effects was given for the notification sound mentioned above, the variation other than this can also be considered for a notification sound, for example, melody, music (for example, XX at the time of communication start) , A △△ song at the end of communication, etc.) or a message (for example, a message such as “preparation OK” at the start of communication) may be used. In addition, the user may be notified by vibration (preparing a plurality of vibration patterns) instead of the notification sound.

  In addition, in the music playback system 100 described above, only the two communication states of communication start and communication end are notified to the user. In addition to this, the volume or scale of the notification sound is determined according to the communication sensitivity. May be adjusted. This is because the communication path between the portable music player 10 and the headphone 20 via the living body is established, but the contact state between the portable music player 10 and the headphone 20 and the living body (more specifically, Since the magnitude of the received signal changes depending on the contact state between the transceiver electrodes 903 of the transceivers 1 and 9 and the living body, when the signal is small (for example, touching the end of the transceiver electrode 903, the communication sensitivity) In a low volume or low scale, and when the signal is large, the portable music player 10 and the headphones 20 are controlled to the user by controlling to output at a high volume or high scale. It will guide you to wear it properly. In addition to changing the notification sound according to the state of communication sensitivity in this way, the vibration may be changed such as the magnitude of vibration and the vibration interval.

  Further, in the music playback system 100 described above, the notification sound is output from the music playback player 10, but may be output from the headphones 20. In this case, a music playback system 100 ′ including a portable music playback player 10 ′ including the computer 6A and the transceiver 9 and a headphone 20 ′ including the computer 6B and the transceiver 1 is configured, and the portable music playback player 10 ′ is configured. The computer 6A periodically transmits a connection signal at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second) via the transceiver 9, and the transceiver 1 of the headphone 20 'detects the presence or absence of the connection signal. A notification sound is output.

  Therefore, according to the transceiver 1 of the first embodiment, the user visually observes the transceiver 1 that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information. Even if communication is performed in a situation where it cannot be performed, the communication situation can be accurately detected, and a sound or vibration corresponding to the communication situation can be selected and notified to the user.

  As a result, since the user can grasp the state of communication start and communication end when providing the service, a user-friendly wearable computer system can be realized.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mobile terminal device 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal device 3 shown in FIG. 4 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal, and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted on a living body that is an electric field transmission medium. By providing the transceiver 9 that transmits and receives information using the induced electric field and the computer 2 including the connection state monitoring unit 101 ′ and the connection state notification unit 102 ′, the communication state via the electric field transmission medium is grasped. A notification sound corresponding to each situation is output. In other words, the transceiver 1 according to the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the function of the transceiver 1 is distributed to the conventional transceiver 9 and the computer 2. In the present embodiment, only the configuration and functions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the other components and functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The connection state monitoring unit 101 ′ of the computer 2 monitors the signal output from the transceiver 9 and detects the start and end of communication via the electric field transmission medium. Specifically, when the transceiver 9 receives the reception data via the electric field transmission medium, the signal processed by the transceiver 9 is output to the computer 2, so that the communication is started by monitoring the presence or absence of the signal. It detects the end of communication (when a signal changes from a state with no signal to a state with no signal). Then, the connection state notification unit 102 ′ outputs a sound corresponding to the communication state detected by the connection state monitoring unit 101 ′, for example, a beep sound at the start of communication and a beep sound at the end of communication. It is supposed to be.

  Here, since the connection state monitoring unit 101 ′ is provided in the computer 2, it is possible to notify the user of more states as compared with the first embodiment. For example, specifically, in addition to the start of communication and the end of communication, the user can be notified of the state of processing in the computer 2 (for example, when there are a plurality of normal ends, abnormal ends, and processing results).

  FIG. 5 shows a gate system 200 which is a specific example using the mobile terminal device 3.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the gate system 200, the user carries the mobile terminal device 3, and touches the electrode 11 provided in the gate, whereby the transceiver 9 of the mobile terminal device 3 is connected. Since the communication path through the living body (electric field transmission medium) of the transceiver 9 connected to the electrode 11 is established, communication between the transceivers becomes possible, and the gate processing device 6C performs gate processing (determines whether or not to pass the gate). Then, a process for opening and closing the gate) is performed.

  Here, a method for notifying the user of the communication status and processing status of the gate system 200 will be specifically described. For example, in the gate system 200 used for permission to enter and exit a predetermined area, when a user carrying the mobile terminal device 3 comes into contact with the electrode 11 of the gate and communication is started, the mobile terminal device 3 When a user is permitted to pass through as a result of the gate processing, the mobile terminal device 3 is notified of a beeping sound. When the user is not permitted to pass, the mobile terminal A buzzing sound is notified from the device 3.

  Various modifications that can be applied to the first embodiment are also possible in the second embodiment (notification sound and vibration variations, notification sound and vibration output adjustment, notification sound output) Equipment etc.).

  Moreover, in the gate system 200, since it is assumed that several users touch the electrode 11, it is desirable that a different notification sound is output for every user, and FIG.5 (b) is an example in this case. Show. According to FIG.5 (b), the user A has set by the sound effect and a different sound effect is notified for every state. In addition, user B is set by melody and user C is set by vibration, and a different melody and vibration are notified for each state.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to accurately detect the communication status including the state of the processing result of the computer 2. In addition, since a different notification form can be selected for each user, the user can accurately grasp the communication status even when providing services to a plurality of users simultaneously.

<Other embodiments>
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the transceiver 1 carried by the user and the portable terminal device 3 notify the user of the communication state. In addition, the service providing device side further visually communicates the communication state. May be displayed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing such a service providing apparatus 30. As a service providing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment, a vending machine 30 that sells predetermined products will be described as a specific example. Further, the user carries the portable terminal device 3 (which plays the role of an electronic wallet) according to the second embodiment, and performs a communication state notification operation as a purchase of a desired product from the vending machine 30. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the vending machine 30 is provided with purchase buttons 31i (i = a, b,..., N) for various products to be sold, and the user desires from these. By pressing the purchase button 31i of the product, as shown in FIG. 6B, the transceiver 9 of the portable terminal device 3 and the transceiver 9i (i = a, b,..., N) of the vending machine 30 Since the communication path via the electric field transmission medium (biological body) is established, the sales process is thereby performed (between the computer 2 of the portable terminal device 3 and the vending machine processing device 6D of the vending machine 30). When money data is exchanged and the user has a purchaseable amount in the electronic wallet, the amount of the product is deducted and the desired desired product is provided from the vending machine 30).

  At this time, as described in the second embodiment, the mobile terminal device 3 outputs a notification sound according to the communication state. In addition, the mobile terminal device 3 is installed outside the purchase button 31i of the vending machine 30. The LED 32i (i = a, b,..., N) selects and displays a display mode corresponding to the communication state.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of this display mode. For example, communication processing is started, during communication, normal termination (sales processing has been performed normally), and abnormal termination (sales processing due to lack of money or failure). Different LED display modes are adopted according to the respective states (not normally performed). As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, the service providing side also accurately detects the communication status, selects the sound or vibration corresponding to the communication status, and selects the user. Therefore, a user-friendly wearable computer system can be provided.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transceiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the music reproduction system using the transceiver which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which notifies the communication condition of the music reproduction system using the transceiver which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the portable terminal device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the gate system using the portable terminal device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the service provision apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display mode of LED according to the communication condition of the service provision apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in the case of mounting | wearing and using a wearable computer for a person via a transceiver. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the conventional transceiver.

Explanation of symbols

1,9 Transceiver 3 Mobile terminal device 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D Computer 7 Wearable computer 8 PC
9 Transceiver 10 Portable music player 20 Headphone 30 Vending machine 31i Purchase button 32i LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Music reproduction system 101,101 'Connection state monitoring part 102,102' Connection state notification part 200 Gate system 901 I / O circuit 902 Transmission part 903 Transmission / reception electrode 904 Insulating film 905 Electric field detection optical part 906 Signal processing circuit 907 Waveform shaping circuit 910 Receiver

Claims (7)

In a transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and transmits and receives information by detecting the induced electric field,
A communication state detecting means for determining a communication state of communication via the electric field transmission medium based on presence or absence of received information;
A communication status notification means for selecting and outputting sound or vibration according to the communication status obtained by the communication status detection means;
A transceiver characterized by comprising: The communication state notification means includes
2. The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein, depending on the output level of received information, the volume or scale is adjusted when outputting with sound, and the magnitude or interval of vibration is adjusted when outputting with vibration. The sound or vibration selected according to the communication state is
3. The transceiver according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver can be set for each transceiver. A portable terminal device comprising: a transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium, detects the induced electric field, and transmits and receives information; and a computer that is connected to the transceiver and performs predetermined processing. In
The computer
Communication state detection means for obtaining a communication state of communication through the electric field transmission medium taking into account the end state of the processing based on the presence or absence of information received by the transceiver and the result of the processing;
A communication status notifying means for selecting and outputting sound or vibration corresponding to the communication status determined by the communication status grasping means;
A portable terminal device comprising: The communication state notification means includes
5. The portable terminal device according to claim 4, wherein, depending on an output level of received information, the volume or scale is adjusted when outputting with sound, and the magnitude or interval of vibration is adjusted when outputting with vibration. The sound or vibration selected according to the communication state is
6. The portable terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the portable terminal device can be set for each computer. A service providing device for providing a predetermined service to a user including the mobile terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The transceiver on the service providing device side capable of communicating with the transceiver on the portable terminal device side through the electric field transmission medium;
Service provider side communication state detection for determining the communication state of communication through the electric field transmission medium taking into account the end state of the service process based on the presence / absence of information received by the transceiver on the service provider side and the result of the service process Means,
Service providing side communication status display means for selecting and displaying a display mode corresponding to the communication status obtained by the service providing side communication status detecting means;
A service providing apparatus comprising:

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