JP2009200637A - Mobile terminal, and communicating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal and a communication method, which can prevent leakage of information such as user ID while suppressing power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 10 includes a human body communication receiving section 12 for receiving a contact decision signal indicating the fact that a portion of a human body has touched or approached closely to an external device 20 from the external device 20 through the human body, a human body communication transmitting section 15 for transmitting a signal to the external device 20 through the human body, and a contact decision section 13 for deciding a contact method, i.e. a method for touching or bringing close a portion of a human body to the external device 20 based on a contact decision signal. The human body communication transmitting section 15 transits to a state capable of transmitting a signal to the external device 20 through the human body according to the contact method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a communication method for controlling an external device via a human body.

  In general, the human body has good conductivity in the frequency band of several kHz to several tens of kHz. Therefore, the human body can be used as a transmission medium depending on the frequency band (carrier frequency band) used for communication. In connection with this, the communication system which uses a human body as a transmission medium is proposed (for example, patent document 1 and nonpatent literature 1).

  Specifically, the transmission device modulates a signal to a carrier wave having a frequency band that is easy to transmit to the human body, and outputs the modulated signal to the human body. An electric field is generated in the human body by the modulated signal. On the other hand, the receiving device detects an electric field generated in the human body, and acquires a signal modulated by the detected electric field. Subsequently, the receiving apparatus demodulates the modulated signal.

Moreover, the utilization example which applies the communication system which uses a human body as a transmission medium to action control of a pet robot is proposed (for example, patent document 2). Specifically, the user ID is transmitted to the pet robot from a portable terminal attached to the user's arm or the like via the human body. While the mobile terminal is worn on the user's arm or the like, the user ID is repeatedly transmitted from the mobile terminal to the pet robot. The pet robot acquires the user ID received from the portable terminal, and the behavior of the pet robot is controlled according to the reception history of the user ID.
T.A. G. Zimmerman, “Personal Area Networks: Near-Field Intrabody Communication”, IBM System Journal Vol. 35, No 3 & 4, 1996-MIT Media Laboratory JP 2001-298425 A JP2002-127059

  By the way, it is preferable that the portable terminal attached to the human body is driven by electric power supplied from a battery. Moreover, it is preferable that the portable terminal with which a human body is mounted | worn is small. Therefore, it is difficult to mount a large-capacity battery on a portable terminal.

  In the usage example described above, an external device such as a pet robot is controlled by a user ID transmitted from a portable terminal attached to a human body. Therefore, a signal indicating a user ID or the like needs to be transmitted regularly or periodically from a portable terminal attached to the human body to an external device (such as a pet robot).

  Thus, when the mobile terminal transmits a signal regularly or regularly, the power consumption of the mobile terminal increases. In particular, when it is difficult to mount a large-capacity battery, it is highly important to suppress power consumption of the mobile terminal.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal and a communication method that can suppress power consumption.

  The mobile terminal according to the first feature communicates with an external device via a human body. The mobile terminal includes a receiving unit (human body communication receiving unit 12) that receives a contact determination signal indicating that a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device from the external device, and the human body. And a contact method for transmitting a signal to the external device via the communication device (human body communication transmitter 15) and a contact method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device based on the contact determination signal. A determination unit (contact determination unit 13) for determination. The transmission unit transitions to a transmittable state, which is a state in which a signal can be transmitted to the external device via the human body, according to the contact method.

  According to this feature, the mobile terminal determines a contact method that is a method in which a part of a human body comes into contact with or approaches the external device based on a contact determination signal transmitted from the external device. Further, the mobile terminal transitions to a transmittable state according to the contact method.

  Therefore, since it is not necessary for the mobile terminal to periodically transmit a signal, the power consumption of the mobile terminal can be suppressed. In addition, the mobile terminal can be changed to a transmittable state at a timing desired by the user (human body).

  In addition, it is preferable that an external apparatus transmits the signal for contact determination to a portable terminal regularly or regularly. On the other hand, it is assumed that the external device is driven by the power supplied from the AC power source. It is also assumed that the external device does not need to be small. Therefore, even if the power consumption of the external device is increased, it is considered that there is no restriction as in the portable terminal.

  In the first feature, the mobile terminal stores, as a condition for transitioning to the transmittable state, a transmittable state transition condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device ( A storage unit 16) is further provided. The transmitting unit transitions to the transmittable state when the contact method matches the transmittable state transition condition.

  In the first feature, the portable terminal stores, as a condition for transmitting a determination result signal indicating the contact method, a determination result signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device. (Storage part 16) is further provided. The transmission unit transmits the determination result signal via the human body when the contact method matches the determination result signal transmission condition.

  In the first feature, the mobile terminal transmits a unique signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device as a condition for transmitting a unique signal indicating the unique information assigned to the own terminal. A storage unit (storage unit 16) is further provided. The transmission unit transmits the specific signal via the human body when the contact method matches the specific signal transmission condition.

  In the first feature, the portable terminal stores, as a condition for transmitting an operation instruction signal indicating the operation of the external device, an operation instruction signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device. A storage unit (storage unit 16). The transmitter transmits the operation instruction signal via the human body when the contact method matches the operation instruction signal transmission condition.

  In the first feature, a part of the human body is connected to the external device as a condition for transitioning to a transmission restriction state in which a mobile terminal is restricted from transmitting a signal to the external device via the human body. It further includes a storage unit (storage unit 16) that stores a transmission restriction state transition condition that is a method of contacting or approaching. The transmission unit transitions to the transmission restricted state when the contact method matches the transmission restricted state condition.

  1st characteristic WHEREIN: The said receiving part receives the response signal with respect to the signal transmitted to the said external device via the said human body from the said external device via the said human body. When the response signal is received, the transmission unit transits to a transmission restriction state in which transmission of a signal to the external device via the human body is restricted.

  1st characteristic WHEREIN: The said transmission part is a transmission restriction | limiting which is in the state where transmission of the signal to the said external device via the said human body was restrict | limited when the said signal for contact determination was not received over a fixed period Transition to the state.

  In the first feature, the transmission unit retransmits a signal to the external device via the human body when a response signal to the signal transmitted to the external device via the human body is not received within a predetermined period. .

  In the communication method according to the second feature, the mobile terminal and the external device communicate via the human body. In the communication method, the portable terminal receives a contact determination signal indicating that a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device from the external device, and the portable terminal Determining a contact method that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device based on the contact determination signal; and the portable terminal determines the human body according to the contact method. Transition to a transmittable state, which is a state in which a signal can be transmitted to the external device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable terminal and communication method which can aim at suppression of power consumption can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of communication system)
The configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a mobile terminal 10 and an external device 20.

  The mobile terminal 10 is a terminal (such as a mobile phone or a PDA) that communicates with the external device 20 via a human body (here, user A). The portable terminal 10 is preferably small and is preferably driven by electric power supplied from a battery. The mobile terminal 10 is preferably configured to be mountable to the user A.

  The external device 20 is a device that communicates with the mobile terminal 10 via a human body (here, user A). The external device 20 does not need to be particularly small and is preferably driven by power supplied from an AC power source.

  When a part of the human body (such as a hand) contacts or approaches the external device 20, the external device 20 transmits a contact determination signal indicating that a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device 20 via the human body. To the mobile terminal 10. Here, the external device 20 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 regularly or periodically while a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device 20.

  The external device 20 is controlled by various signals received from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body. An example of control of the external device 20 will be described later (see the second to sixth embodiments).

(Configuration of mobile device)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the mobile terminal 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 10 includes a contact unit 11, a human body communication reception unit 12, a contact determination unit 13, a control unit 14, and a human body communication transmission unit 15.

  The contact part 11 contacts or approaches a human body (here, user A). The contact part 11 detects an electric field generated in the human body.

  The human body communication receiving unit 12 receives a contact determination signal from the external device 20 by the electric field detected by the contact unit 11. The human body communication receiving unit 12 demodulates the contact determination signal modulated in a frequency band (several kHz to several tens of kHz) that is easy to transmit to the human body.

  The contact determination unit 13 determines a method (hereinafter referred to as a contact method) in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20 based on the contact determination signal. Here, the contact method is a contact period length, a combination of a contact period length and a non-contact period length, or the like. The contact period is a period in which a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external apparatus 20, and the non-contact period is a period in which a part of the human body is not in contact with or in close proximity to the external apparatus 20.

  However, the contact method is not limited to the content described above. Specifically, the contact method may be a contact pressure. Further, the contact method may be a combination of a contact period length and a contact pressure, a combination of a contact period length, a non-contact period length and a contact pressure. The contact pressure is a pressure applied to the external device 20 when a part of the human body contacts the external device 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the contact determination unit 13 determines a period during which the contact determination signal is received (that is, a period during which voltage is applied to the human body) as the contact period. On the other hand, the contact determination unit 13 determines a period in which the contact determination signal is not received (that is, a period in which no voltage is applied to the human body) as a non-contact period. Thereby, the contact determination part 13 determines a contact method.

  The control unit 14 controls each configuration of the mobile terminal 10. For example, the control unit 14 determines whether to cause the human body communication transmission unit 15 to transition to a transmittable state according to the contact method determined by the contact determination unit 13. Here, the transmittable state is a state in which a signal can be transmitted to the external device 20 via a human body.

  Specifically, the control unit 14 instructs the human body communication transmission unit 15 to transition to the transmittable state when the contact method matches the transmittable state transition condition. The transmittable state transition condition is a condition for causing the human body communication transmitting unit 15 to transition to the transmittable state, and is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20.

  The human body communication transmitting unit 15 transmits various signals to the external device 20 via the human body (here, user A). The human body communication transmitting unit 15 modulates various signals in a frequency band (several kHz to several tens of kHz) that is easy to transmit to the human body.

  The human body communication transmitting unit 15 is basically in a state where transmission of a signal to the external device 20 via the human body is restricted (hereinafter, “transmission restricted state”). As described above, when it is determined by the control unit 14 to transition to the transmittable state, the human body communication transmitting unit 15 transitions to the transmittable state.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. As described above, it should be noted that the external device 20 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 regularly or periodically while a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device 20. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step 10, the mobile terminal 10 monitors a contact determination signal received from the external device 20 via a human body.

  In step 11, the mobile terminal 10 determines a method (contact method) in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20.

  In step 12, the mobile terminal 10 determines whether or not the contact method matches the transmittable state transition condition. If the contact method matches the transmittable state transition condition, the mobile terminal 10 proceeds to the process of step 13. On the other hand, the portable terminal 10 returns to the process of step 10 when the contact method does not match the transmittable state transition condition.

  In step 13, the mobile terminal 10 transitions to a transmittable state in which a signal can be transmitted.

(Function and effect)
According to the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 determines a contact method that is a method in which a part of a human body contacts or approaches the external device 20 based on a contact determination signal transmitted from the external device 20. Moreover, the portable terminal 10 changes to a transmission possible state according to a contact method.

  Therefore, since it is not necessary for the portable terminal 10 to transmit a signal regularly, the power consumption of the portable terminal 10 can be suppressed. Moreover, the portable terminal 10 can be changed to a transmission possible state at the timing which a user (human body) desires.

  Note that the external device 20 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 regularly or regularly. However, the external device 20 is driven by the power supplied from the AC power source. Further, the external device 20 does not need to be small. Therefore, even if the power consumption of the external device 20 increases, it is considered that there is no restriction as with the portable terminal 10.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described. Specifically, in the second embodiment, a control example of the external device 20 will be described by taking a case where the external device 20 has a plurality of doors (door A and door B) as an example.

(Configuration of mobile device)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the mobile terminal according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the mobile terminal 10 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 10 includes a storage unit 16 in addition to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 16 stores information that associates contact conditions with operation contents. The contact condition is a condition for causing the mobile terminal 10 to execute the operation content, and is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20. Here, the contact condition includes a transmittable state transition condition and a determination result signal transmission condition. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the mobile terminal 10 (human body communication transmission unit 15) when the contact condition is satisfied.

  The determination result signal is a signal indicating the contact method determined by the contact determination unit 13. The determination result signal transmission condition is defined as a condition for transmitting the determination result signal.

  For example, a contact condition of “0.1 second contact” is defined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmission unit 15 to execute the operation content “transition to transmittable state”. Similarly, a contact condition of “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact” is determined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmitter 15 to execute the operation content “transmission of determination result signal”. It has been.

  The control unit 14 described above refers to the storage unit 16 and determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the contact method determined by the contact determination unit 13 is defined. When the operation content corresponding to the contact method is defined, the control unit 14 executes the operation content corresponding to the contact method.

  For example, the control unit 14 instructs the human body communication transmitting unit 15 to transition to the transmittable state when the contact method matches a transmittable state transition condition (for example, “0.1 second contact”). In addition, the control unit 14 determines the determination result signal (for example, if the contact method matches the determination result signal transmission condition (for example, “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact”)). , A signal indicating “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact”) is transmitted to the human body communication transmitter 15. In addition, when the human body communication transmission part 15 is a transmission restriction | limiting state, it is preferable that the control part 14 instruct | indicates transmission of a determination result signal, after instruct | indicating the transition to a transmission possible state.

(External device)
The configuration of the external device according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the external device 20 according to the second embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the external device 20 includes a door knob 21, a human body communication reception unit 22, a storage unit 23, a control unit 24, an operation unit 25, and a human body communication transmission unit 26.

  The door knob 21 detects the contact of a human body (here, user A). The door knob 21 detects an electric field generated in the human body.

  The human body communication receiving unit 22 receives various signals from the mobile terminal 10 by the electric field detected by the door knob 21. Here, the human body communication receiving unit 22 demodulates various signals modulated in a frequency band (several kHz to several tens of kHz) that easily transmits the human body.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the storage unit 23 stores information that associates the determination result signal with the operation content. As described above, the determination result signal is a signal indicating a method (a contact method determined by the mobile terminal 10) in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the external device 20 (operation unit 25) according to the determination result signal.

  For example, when a determination result signal indicating “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact” is received, the operation unit 25 displays the operation content “unlock door A”. Execute. Similarly, when a determination result signal indicating “2 seconds contact” is received, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “locking door A”.

  The control unit 24 controls each configuration of the external device 20. For example, the control unit 24 refers to the storage unit 23 and determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (contact method) received by the human body communication reception unit 22 is defined. When the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (contact method) is defined, the control unit 24 executes the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal.

  For example, when receiving a determination result signal indicating “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact”, the control unit 24 instructs the operation unit 25 to unlock the door A. To do. In addition, when the control unit 24 receives the determination result signal indicating “2 second contact”, the control unit 24 instructs the operation unit 25 to lock the door A.

  The operation unit 25 performs unlocking and closing of the door A and the door B in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 24.

  The human body communication transmitting unit 26 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 via a human body (here, user A). Here, the human body communication transmitting unit 26 modulates the contact determination signal into a frequency band (several kHz to several tens kHz) that is easy to transmit the human body.

  The human body communication transmitting unit 26 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 regularly or periodically while a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the door knob 21. The human body communication transmission unit 26 transmits a response signal to the mobile terminal 10 via the human body in response to the signal received from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

(External device)
The operation of the external device according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external device 20 according to the second embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, in step 20, the external device 20 receives a determination result signal from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

  In step 21, the external device 20 determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (contact method) is defined. When the operation content is defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 22. On the other hand, when the operation content is not defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 23.

  In step 22, the external device 20 executes the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (contact method).

  In step 23, the external device 20 notifies the user A that the operation content is undefined. For example, the external device 20 displays on the display (not shown) that the operation content is undefined. The external device 20 may transmit a signal indicating that the operation content is undefined to the mobile terminal 10 via the human body. The external device 20 may notify that the operation content is undefined by an alarm sound.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences between the second embodiment and the third embodiment will be mainly described. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the external device 20 receives a determination result signal indicating the contact method determined by the mobile terminal 10 from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the external device 20 receives an operation instruction signal indicating the operation of the external device 20 from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

(Mobile device)
Hereinafter, information stored in the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 16 according to the third embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the storage unit 16 stores information that associates the contact condition with the operation content. The contact condition is a condition for causing the mobile terminal 10 to execute the operation content, and is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20. Here, the contact condition includes a transmittable state transition condition and an operation instruction signal transmission condition. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the mobile terminal 10 (human body communication transmission unit 15) when the contact condition is satisfied.

  The operation instruction signal is a signal indicating the operation of the external device 20. Examples of the operation instruction signal include an unlocking signal for instructing unlocking of the door A, an unlocking signal for instructing locking of the door A, and the like. The operation instruction signal transmission condition is defined as a condition for transmitting the operation instruction signal.

  For example, a contact condition of “0.1 second contact” is defined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmission unit 15 to execute the operation content “transition to transmittable state”. Similarly, a contact condition of “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact” is determined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmitting unit 15 to execute the operation content “transmission of unlocking signal”. It has been.

(External device)
The information stored in the external device according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 23 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the storage unit 23 stores information that associates the operation instruction signal with the operation content. The operation instruction signal is a signal for controlling the operation of the external device 20 as described above. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the external device 20 (operation unit 25) in response to the operation instruction signal.

  For example, when the unlocking signal is received as the operation instruction signal, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlocking the door A”. Similarly, when the lock signal is received as the operation instruction signal, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “lock door A”.

(External device)
The operation of the external device according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external device 20 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in step 30, the external device 20 receives an operation instruction signal from the mobile terminal 10 via a human body.

  In step 31, the external device 20 determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the operation instruction signal is defined. If the operation content is defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 32. On the other hand, if the operation content is not defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 33.

  In step 32, the external device 20 executes the operation content corresponding to the operation instruction signal.

  In step 33, the external device 20 notifies the user A that the operation content is undefined.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, differences between the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be mainly described. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the external device 20 receives a determination result signal indicating the contact method determined by the mobile terminal 10 from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the external device 20 receives a unique signal indicating unique information assigned to the mobile terminal 10 from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

(Mobile device)
Hereinafter, information stored in the mobile terminal according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 16 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the storage unit 16 stores information that associates contact conditions with operation contents. The contact condition is a condition for causing the mobile terminal 10 to execute the operation content, and is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20. Here, the contact condition includes a transmittable state transition condition and a specific signal transmission condition. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the mobile terminal 10 (human body communication transmission unit 15) when the contact condition is satisfied.

  The unique signal is a signal indicating unique information assigned to the mobile terminal 10. The unique information is, for example, user information (ID) that identifies the user A, terminal information (IMSI; International Mobile Subscriber Identity) that identifies the mobile terminal 10, and the like. Here, the case where the unique information is the user A ID is illustrated. The unique signal transmission condition is defined as a condition for transmitting the unique signal.

  For example, a contact condition of “0.1 second contact” is defined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmission unit 15 to execute the operation content “transition to transmittable state”. Similarly, the contact condition of “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact” is a condition for causing the human body communication transmission unit 15 to execute the operation content “transmission of user A's ID”. It has been established.

(External device)
The information stored in the external device according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 23 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the storage unit 23 stores information that associates the unique signal with the operation content. The unique signal is a signal indicating unique information assigned to the mobile terminal 10 as described above. The operation content is the content of the operation performed by the external device 20 (operation unit 25) in response to the operation instruction signal.

  For example, when the ID of the user A is received as the unique signal, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlock door A” or “lock door A”. Specifically, when the user A's ID is received as the unique signal while the door A is locked, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlocking the door A”. On the other hand, when the ID of the user A is received as the unique signal in the state where the door A is unlocked, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “locking the door A”.

(External device)
Hereinafter, operations of the external device according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external device 20 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in step 40, the external device 20 receives a unique signal from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

  In step 41, the external device 20 determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the unique signal is defined. If the operation content is defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 42. On the other hand, when the operation content is not defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 43.

  In step 42, the external device 20 executes the operation content corresponding to the unique signal.

  In step 43, the external device 20 notifies the user A that the user A is not a regular user.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 5th Embodiment demonstrates the combination of 2nd Embodiment-4th Embodiment. Of course, only the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment may be combined, or only the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment may be combined.

(Mobile device)
Hereinafter, information stored in the mobile terminal according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 16 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the storage unit 16 stores information that associates contact conditions with operation contents. The contact condition is a condition for causing the mobile terminal 10 to execute the operation content, and is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20. Here, the contact condition includes a transmittable state transition condition, a determination result signal transmission condition, an operation instruction signal transmission condition, and a unique signal transmission condition. Furthermore, the contact condition includes a transmission restriction state transition condition.

  As described above, the transmission restricted state is a state where transmission of a signal to the external device 20 via the human body is restricted. The transmission restriction state transition condition is defined as a condition for making a transition to the transmission restriction state.

  For example, a contact condition of “0.1 second contact, 0.1 second non-contact, two second contact” is defined as a condition for causing the human body communication transmission unit 15 to execute the operation content “transition to transmission limit state”. .

(External device)
Hereinafter, information stored in the external device according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage unit 23 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the storage unit 23 stores information that associates the unique signal, the determination result signal / operation instruction signal, and the operation content.

  For example, as in the second embodiment, when a determination result signal indicating “0.2 second contact, 0.5 second non-contact, 0.2 second contact” is received, “unlock door A” The operation unit 25 executes the operation content.

  However, when the unique signal is not received, the external device 20 may execute the operation content “waiting for input of user ID”. In such a case, the external device 20 preferably notifies the user A that the user ID is prompted. For example, the external device 20 displays on the display (not shown) to prompt the user ID input. The external device 20 may transmit a signal indicating that the input of the user ID is prompted via the human body.

  In response to this, the mobile terminal 10 preferably transmits a unique signal indicating the unique information to the external device 20 via the human body. The user A may input specific information using an operation unit (not shown) provided in the external device 20.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, when the unlocking signal is received as the operation instruction signal, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlocking the door A”. However, when the unique signal is not received, the external device 20 may execute the above-described operation content “waiting for user ID input”.

  When the ID of the user A is received as the unique signal, the external device 20 may execute the operation content “wait for operation instruction”. Specifically, the external device 20 notifies the user A that the user is prompted to instruct the operation of the operation unit 25. For example, the external device 20 displays on the display (not shown) a message that prompts the user to instruct the operation of the operation unit 25. The external device 20 may transmit a signal indicating that the external device 20 prompts to instruct the operation of the operation unit 25 via a human body.

  In response to this, the mobile terminal 10 preferably transmits a determination result signal (or an operation instruction signal) to the external device 20 via a human body. The user A may instruct the operation of the operation unit 25 using an operation unit (not shown) provided in the external device 20.

  When the ID of the user A is received as the unique signal and the determination result signal indicating “0.5 second contact” is received, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlocking the door A”. . Similarly, when the ID of the user A is received as the unique signal and the unlocking signal is received as the operation instruction signal, the operation unit 25 executes the operation content “unlocking the door A”.

(External device)
The operation of the external device according to the fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external device 20 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in step 50, the external device 20 receives a unique signal and a determination result signal (or an operation instruction signal) from the mobile terminal 10 via the human body.

  In step 51, the external device 20 determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the unique signal is defined. If the operation content is defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 53. On the other hand, when the operation content is not defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 52.

  In step 52, the external device 20 notifies the user A that the user A is not a regular user.

  In step 53, the external device 20 determines whether or not the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (or the operation instruction signal) is defined. If the operation content is defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 54. On the other hand, when the operation content is not defined, the external device 20 proceeds to the process of step 55.

  In step 54, the external device 20 executes the operation content corresponding to the determination result signal (or operation instruction signal).

  In step 55, the external apparatus 20 notifies the user A that the operation content is undefined.

  In the fifth embodiment, the unique signal and the determination result signal (or the operation instruction signal) are illustrated as separate signals. However, these signals may be combined into one.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The sixth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Below, operation | movement of the portable terminal 10 is demonstrated in detail.

(Mobile device operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal 10 according to the sixth embodiment. As described above, it should be noted that the external device 20 transmits a contact determination signal to the mobile terminal 10 regularly or periodically while a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device 20. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in step 60, the mobile terminal 10 monitors a contact determination signal received from the external device 20 via a human body.

  In step 61, the mobile terminal 10 determines a method (contact method) in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device 20.

  In step 62, the mobile terminal 10 determines whether or not the contact method matches the contact condition. If the contact method matches the contact condition, the mobile terminal 10 proceeds to the process of step 63. On the other hand, when the contact method does not match the contact condition, the mobile terminal 10 returns to the process of step 60.

  In step 63, the mobile terminal 10 executes the operation content corresponding to the contact condition. Here, consider a case where the mobile terminal 10 transmits one of a determination result signal, an operation instruction signal, and a unique signal.

  In step 64, the mobile terminal 10 determines whether or not a response signal to the signal transmitted to the external device 20 via the human body has been received from the external device 20 via the human body. When the portable terminal 10 receives the response signal, the portable terminal 10 proceeds to the process of step 66. On the other hand, when the portable terminal 10 has not received the response signal, the portable terminal 10 proceeds to the process of step 65.

  In step 65, the mobile terminal 10 determines whether or not the signal transmitted in step 63 has been retransmitted a predetermined number of times. If the mobile terminal 10 has retransmitted a predetermined number of times, the mobile terminal 10 proceeds to the process of step 66. On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 10 has not performed retransmission a predetermined number of times, the mobile terminal 10 waits for a certain period, retransmits the signal transmitted in step 63, and returns to the processing in step 64.

  In step 66, the mobile terminal 10 transitions to a transmission restriction state in which transmission of a signal to the external device 20 via the human body is restricted.

  As described above, when the mobile terminal 10 receives the response signal from the external device 20, the mobile terminal 10 transitions to the transmission restricted state. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 10 transitions to a transmission restricted state when a response signal cannot be received even after performing a predetermined number of retransmissions.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In the embodiment described above, the mobile terminal 10 collates the contact condition and the contact method stored in the storage unit 16, but is not limited to this. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 may determine whether or not the contact method matches the contact condition using a predetermined algorithm.

  The contact condition is not limited to the transmittable state transition condition, the transmission restriction state transition condition, the determination result signal transmission condition, the operation instruction signal transmission condition, and the unique signal transmission condition. The contact condition may be set as a condition for performing the operation content of the mobile terminal 10.

  The portable terminal 10 may cause the human body communication transmission unit 15 to transition to the transmission restricted state when the contact determination signal is not received over a certain period. Further, it may be considered that the transmission restriction state transition condition is that the contact determination signal is not received over a certain period.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile terminal 10 according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the contact method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the portable terminal 10 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the external apparatus 20 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the external device 20 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the external device 20 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the external device 20 which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 16 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the external device 20 which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable terminal 10 which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable terminal, 11 ... Contact part, 12 ... Human body communication receiving part, 13 ... Contact determination part, 14 ... Control part, 15 ... Human body communication transmission part, 16 ... Storage unit 20 ... External device 21 ... Door knob 22 ... Human body communication receiving unit 23 ... Storage unit 24 ... Control unit 25 ... Operation unit 26 ...・ Human body communication transmitter

Claims (10)

A portable terminal that communicates with an external device via a human body,
A receiving unit that receives a contact determination signal indicating that a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device from the external device;
A transmitter for transmitting a signal to the external device via the human body;
A determination unit that determines a contact method based on the contact determination signal, which is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device;
The mobile terminal changes to a transmittable state in which a signal can be transmitted to the external device via the human body according to the contact method. As a condition for transitioning to the transmittable state, further comprising a storage unit that stores a transmittable state transition condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device,
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transitions to the transmittable state when the contact method matches the transmittable status transition condition. As a condition for transmitting a determination result signal indicating the contact method, a storage unit is further provided that stores a determination result signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device,
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the determination result signal via the human body when the contact method matches the determination result signal transmission condition. As a condition for transmitting a unique signal indicating unique information assigned to the terminal itself, the storage device further stores a unique signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device,
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the specific signal via the human body when the contact method matches the specific signal transmission condition. As a condition for transmitting an operation instruction signal indicating the operation of the external device, the image processing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores an operation instruction signal transmission condition that is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device,
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the operation instruction signal through the human body when the contact method matches the operation instruction signal transmission condition. A transmission restriction state in which a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device as a condition for transitioning to a transmission restriction state in which transmission of a signal to the external device via the human body is restricted A storage unit for storing the transition condition;
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transitions to the transmission restricted state when the contact method matches the transmission restricted state condition. The receiving unit receives a response signal to the signal transmitted to the external device via the human body from the external device via the human body;
2. The transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein when the response signal is received, the transmission unit transits to a transmission restriction state in which transmission of a signal to the external device via the human body is restricted. The portable terminal as described in.   The transmission unit transitions to a transmission restriction state in which transmission of a signal to the external device via the human body is restricted when the contact determination signal is not received for a certain period. The portable terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The transmission unit retransmits a signal to the external device via the human body when a response signal to the signal transmitted to the external device via the human body is not received within a predetermined period. Item 2. The mobile terminal according to Item 1. A communication method in which a mobile terminal and an external device communicate with each other via a human body,
The portable terminal receives a contact determination signal indicating that a part of the human body is in contact with or close to the external device from the external device;
The portable terminal determining a contact method based on the contact determination signal, which is a method in which a part of the human body contacts or approaches the external device;
The mobile terminal includes a step of transitioning to a transmittable state in which a signal can be transmitted to the external device via the human body according to the contact method.

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