JP2008199331A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal capable of easily performing communication by a target communication system between an image reading system and contactless communication system with respect to a reader which corresponds to both the image reading system and the contactless communication system. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile terminal includes: a display means for displaying an image to be used for reading data on a display surface; a contactless data transmitting means for contactlessly transmitting data with an antenna; a posture detecting means for detecting a self posture; and a contactless data transmission prohibiting means for prohibiting data transmission by the contactless data transmitting means when the posture detecting means detects the prescribed posture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs have been provided. These mobile terminals are equipped with a non-contact IC function for a mobile phone, for example, and with a wireless communication function for a PDA year by year. It is multifunctional.

  As such a portable terminal, a portable terminal having both functions of contact communication and non-contact communication and provided with a switch as non-contact communication prohibiting means in order to prevent unintended communication with an external device is disclosed. (See Patent Document 1). In addition to mechanical operation switches, various relays, varicap diodes, and the like are used as the switches. As a result, unintended transactions and settlement processes can be prevented.

JP 2005-222097 A

However, the above-described known examples involve the troublesome operation of canceling the prohibition by operating a switch when using non-contact communication. Also, there are an image reading method for reading an image such as a barcode and a non-contact communication method. It was not suitable for the device corresponding to both.
More specifically, when using a portable terminal that supports both the image reading method and the non-contact communication method, and having the reader device that supports both the image reading method and the non-contact communication method read data, which is the environment? Even with this method, data can be read. Here, in order for the reader device to read an image such as a barcode from the portable terminal, the display screen of the portable terminal and the reading surface of the reader device need to be close to each other and face each other. On the other hand, the non-contact communication method can communicate over a wider range than the image reading method, and can communicate at various angles without facing the front. For this reason, even if it is attempted to cause the reader device to read an image from the portable terminal, communication using the non-contact communication method may be executed first. Then, the reader device reads data different from the data to be read from the image by the non-contact communication method, and an error occurs because necessary data cannot be obtained.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention easily communicates with a reader device that can support both an image reading method and a non-contact communication method using a target communication method among the image reading method and the non-contact communication method. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that can be used.

  The present invention includes a display unit capable of displaying an image used for data reading on a display surface, a non-contact data transmission unit that transmits data in a non-contact manner by an antenna, a posture detection unit that detects its own posture, and the posture detection It is a portable terminal provided with non-contact data transmission prohibiting means for prohibiting data transmission by the non-contact data transmitting means when the means detects a predetermined posture.

The image used for data reading can be composed of an image that can be converted into data by scanning, such as a two-dimensional barcode or a one-dimensional barcode.
The non-contact data transmission means can be configured by means capable of non-contact data transmission such as a non-contact IC that transmits data non-contact by an antenna.

  The non-contact data transmission prohibiting unit may be configured by a unit that disables data transmission by the non-contact data transmitting unit, such as a changeover switch for switching validity / invalidity of the non-contact IC.

  According to the present invention, when the reader device wants to read an image, it is possible to prevent the reader device from reading the transmission data by the non-contact data transmission unit first.

As an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined posture can be a posture in which the display surface faces downward or obliquely downward.
Thus, data transmission by the non-contact data transmission unit is prohibited when the display surface is directed downward or obliquely downward in order to read an image. Therefore, the user can perform the normal operation of causing the reader device to read an image without performing a special operation, and the transmission data of the non-contact data transmission unit is read first by the reader device. Can be prevented.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the electronic device includes a folding opening / closing portion that exposes the display surface when in the open state and folds the display surface inward when in the closed state, and has the predetermined posture in the open state. Thus, the display surface can be exposed.

  This prohibits data transmission by the non-contact data transmission means when the display surface is exposed in order to read an image. Therefore, the user can perform the normal operation of causing the reader device to read an image without performing a special operation, and the transmission data of the non-contact data transmission unit is read first by the reader device. Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable terminal capable of supporting both an image reading method and a non-contact communication method.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a plan view of the reader device 30 and the mobile phone 1 facing downward in the open state, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the reader device 30 and the mobile phone 1 in the closed state. FIG. 1C is a side view of the mobile phone 1 in an open state as viewed from the side.

  The reader device 30 is provided with a substantially horizontal barcode reading surface 31 on the upper surface and an antenna 32 below the barcode reading surface 31. This reader device can read the barcode data when the barcode is placed over the barcode reading surface 31. Further, when a non-contact IC antenna enters the non-contact communication range, non-contact IC data can be read.

  In the mobile phone 1, an input side housing 3 on which input keys and the like are arranged and a display side housing 2 on which an LCD 15 is provided are pivotally attached by a hinge 5 so as to be foldable. The LCD 15 is provided on the folding inner surface side of the display-side housing 2 so that it cannot be seen in the closed state shown in FIG. A non-contact IC 23 is embedded in the input housing 3. The non-contact IC 23 has a memory unit for storing data and an antenna unit for non-contact communication.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the mobile phone 1.
The mobile phone 1 includes a CPU 11, interfaces 12 and 13, a memory 14, an LCD 15, a microphone 16, a speaker 17, an operation button 18, an antenna 19, a battery 20, a vibration motor 21, a camera 22, a non-contact IC 23, and a posture detection switch 24. Is provided.

  The CPU 11 performs various controls via the interfaces 12 and 13 to control the entire mobile phone 1. Further, the memory 14 is used as a primary storage area. Based on the detection signal received from the attitude detection switch 24, the CPU 11 also executes a switching process for switching between enabling / disabling of the non-contact IC 23 when the mobile phone 1 assumes a predetermined attitude. In this switching process, for example, the orientation of the display surface of the LCD 15 is invalidally switched when the posture is in a range from a vertically downward direction to a direction inclined at about 45 ° in either length and breadth, and validly switched when the posture is other than that. Good.

  Here, the inclination of about 45 [deg.] Is achieved by disabling the non-contact IC 23 before the reader apparatus 30 reaches an inclination angle (for example, about 30 [deg.]) At which a barcode can be read, This is to increase the certainty of reading the barcode.

  The interfaces 12 and 13 connect the CPU 11 and other devices. The interface 13 also has a changeover switch for switching the validity / invalidity of the non-contact IC 23, and switches the validity / invalidity of the non-contact IC 23 according to a control signal from the CPU 11.

The LCD 15 displays data such as barcode data as an image and performs barcode display and the like.
The microphone 16 is a microphone that the user uses for voice calls and the like, collects ambient sounds, and transmits the collected sounds to the CPU 11.

The speaker 17 is a speaker that the user uses for voice calls and the like, and sounds a sound according to the audio signal received from the CPU 11.
The operation button 18 is provided on the input-side casing 3 and transmits a pressing signal pressed for inputting numbers or characters to the CPU 11.

  The antenna 19 wirelessly communicates with a mobile phone company base station, and enables communication with a remote place and communication with the Internet. Therefore, the mobile phone 1 can display not only telephone calls but also contents provided on the Internet and send / receive e-mails. For example, if there is a page that displays a barcode such as a two-dimensional barcode on the homepage of a certain store, the user can access the page with the mobile phone 1 and display the barcode on the LCD 15.

  The battery 20 is composed of a rechargeable secondary battery and supplies operating power to each unit.

  The vibration motor 21 is a motor that vibrates when an incoming call is received, and is driven by a control signal from the CPU 11.

  The camera 22 is a digital camera that can capture still images and moving images, and transmits the captured images and videos to the CPU 11.

  The non-contact IC 23 includes a chip unit that stores data and an antenna unit for non-contact communication. The non-contact IC 23 is switched between valid / invalid by the CPU 11 and the interface 13. The non-contact IC 23 executes non-contact communication when a response request is received from the reader device 30 when it is enabled, but does not respond even when it receives a response request from the reader device 30 when it is disabled.

  The posture detection switch 24 is configured by, for example, a G sensor, detects the tilt of the mobile phone 1, and transmits a detection signal to the CPU 11.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 1.
When the power is turned on, the CPU 11 of the mobile phone 1 validates the non-contact IC 23 (step S1).

  When the posture detection switch 24 detects a predetermined posture (in this embodiment, the posture where the display surface of the LCD 15 is tilted by about 45 ° from the vertically lower side) and is turned on (step S2: YES), the CPU 11 invalidates the non-contact IC 23. Switching (step S3). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the posture detection switch 24 is ON, and if not (that is, if it is not a predetermined posture), returns the processing to step S1 (step S4: NO).

  If the posture detection switch 24 is ON (step S4: YES) or if the posture detection switch 24 is OFF in step S2 (step S2: NO), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S2 until the power is turned off. (Step S5: NO). When the power button is pressed (step S5: YES), the CPU 11 ends the process and turns off the power.

  With the above-described configuration and operation, the user can display a barcode on the mobile phone 1 and allow the reader device 30 to read the barcode, and the non-contact IC 23 causes the reader device 30 to read data without contact. be able to.

  When the reader device 30 reads the barcode displayed on the LCD 15, if the mobile phone 1 is tilted so that the LCD 15 faces downward as shown in FIG. 4, the non-contact IC 23 is in the middle of the position P2 or P3. Becomes invalid. When the mobile phone 1 enters the non-contact communication range E, the non-contact IC 23 is already invalid and does not react, and when the LCD 15 is opposed to the bar code reading surface 31 of the reader device 30, the bar code is displayed. It is read by the reader device 30. Therefore, when the user reads the barcode, the reader device 30 can reliably read the barcode without performing a special operation such as disabling the non-contact IC 23. In addition, the reader device 30 can smoothly perform non-contact communication with the non-contact IC 23 in which the readable range (non-contact communication range E) is wider than the bar code before reading the bar code. Can be used.

  Further, when the reader device 30 reads data from the non-contact IC 23, it is only necessary to move the mobile phone 1 and position it inside the non-contact communication range E with the LCD 15 not facing downward. Thereby, even when using the non-contact IC 23, the user can use it smoothly.

  In this way, for example, in the store A, the reader device 30 needs to read the barcode, and in the store B in which the reader device 30 of the same model is introduced, the non-contact IC 23 needs to be read. The user can conveniently use one mobile phone 1.

  Further, since the reader device 30 does not need to be improved in particular, if the user acquires the mobile phone 1 that can share the barcode and the non-contact IC, the user can immediately use the mobile phone 1 for the existing reader device 30. can do.

  In the above embodiment, the barcode reading surface 31 of the reader device 30 is substantially horizontal, but may be inclined, for example, by about 10 ° to 20 °. In this case, the valid / invalid switching of the non-contact IC 23 is performed as appropriate as described above, for example, in a posture in which the orientation of the display surface of the LCD 15 is inclined by about 45 ° from the vertically lower side, or in a posture that is more strongly inclined. It is good to set to execute in the posture.

  In this embodiment, the folding open / close type mobile phone 1 is used. However, a mobile phone that does not open / close or a mobile phone that slides open / close may be used. Even in this case, the non-contact IC 23 can be invalidated when the display surface of the LCD 15 has a predetermined angle, and the above-described effects can be obtained.

Next, as Example 2, a case will be described in which validity / invalidity of the non-contact IC 23 is switched by opening / closing a flip (display-side housing 2).
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the mobile phone 1a of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the mobile phone 1a.

This cellular phone 1a is provided with a flip open detection switch 25 in place of the attitude detection switch 24 of the cellular phone 1 of the first embodiment. The flip open detection switch 25 detects whether or not the display-side casing 2 (see FIG. 1 of the first embodiment) to be flipped is open, and transmits this detection signal to the CPU 11.
Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, the CPU 11 of the mobile phone 1a enables the non-contact IC 23 (step S11).

  When the flip-open detection switch 25 detects the opening of the display-side housing 2 and is turned ON (step S12: YES), the CPU 11 switches the non-contact IC 23 to invalid (step S13). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the flip-open detection switch 25 is ON, and if not (that is, if the display-side housing 2 is closed), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S11 (NO in step S14).

  If the flip open detection switch 25 is ON (step S14: YES), or if the flip open detection switch 25 is OFF in step S12 (step S12: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S12 until the power is turned off. (Step S15: NO). When the power button is pressed (step S15: YES), the CPU 11 ends the process and turns off the power.

  With the configuration and operation described above, the user can cause the reader device 30 to read a barcode using the mobile phone 1a or perform non-contact communication with the non-contact IC 23. When reading the barcode, the display-side housing 2 needs to be opened, and the opening operation invalidates the non-contact IC 23 and allows the reader device 30 to reliably read the barcode. . That is, it is possible to avoid a situation where an error occurs due to non-contact communication with the non-contact IC 23 even though the barcode is desired to be read.

  Note that the above-described first and second embodiments may be combined so that the non-contact IC 23 is disabled when the flip-open detection switch 25 is turned on and the display surface of the LCD 15 has a predetermined angle. In this case, even if the display surface of the LCD 15 is directed downward, the non-contact IC 23 can be validated if the LCD 15 is folded inward, and even if the LCD 15 is exposed in the open state, the LCD 15 If the display surface is not inclined at a predetermined angle, the non-contact IC 23 can be made effective. Therefore, the opportunity to invalidate the non-contact IC 23 can be reduced to the minimum necessary.

In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The portable terminal of the present invention corresponds to the cellular phone 1, 1a of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The folding opening / closing part corresponds to the hinge 5,
The non-contact data transmission prohibiting means corresponds to the CPU 11 that executes steps S3 and S13,
The display means corresponds to the LCD 15,
Non-contact data transmission means corresponds to the non-contact IC 23,
The posture detection means corresponds to the posture detection switch 24 or the flip open detection switch 25,
The image used for data reading corresponds to the barcode,
The predetermined posture corresponds to a posture in which the display surface of the LCD 15 is inclined by 45 ° from vertically downward, or a posture in which the mobile phone 1a is in an open state.
The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

Explanatory drawing of a mobile phone and a reader device. The block diagram of a mobile telephone. The flowchart of operation | movement of a mobile telephone. Explanatory drawing of a mobile phone and a reader device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a ... Mobile phone, 5 ... Hinge, 11 ... CPU, 15 ... LCD, 23 ... Non-contact IC, 24 ... Attitude detection switch, 25 ... Flip open detection switch

Claims (3)

Display means capable of displaying an image used for data reading on a display surface;
Non-contact data transmission means for transmitting data in a non-contact manner using an antenna;
Posture detection means for detecting one's posture;
A portable terminal comprising non-contact data transmission prohibiting means for prohibiting data transmission by the non-contact data transmitting means when the posture detecting means detects a predetermined posture. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined posture is a posture in which the display surface faces downward or obliquely downward. A folding opening / closing portion that exposes the display surface when open, and folds the display surface inside when closed;
The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined posture is a posture in which the display surface is exposed in the open state.

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