JP2010108066A - Wireless communication device and production method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication device enabling wireless communication in a small space near an information processor while adjusting the direction of an antenna, and to provide a production method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless communication device 10 has: a connector 11 removably connected to terminals for transmitting communication data provided in the information processor for wireless communication; a wireless communication part 12 in which a wireless communication circuit element wirelessly communicating with a predetermined wireless apparatus is covered with a high-rigidity material; and a cable part 13 comprising a flexible cable electrically connecting the connector 11 and the wireless communication part 12. The connector 11 can be a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. Each electric component can be covered with a flexible covering material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus for connecting to an information processing apparatus and performing wireless communication, and a method for manufacturing the wireless communication apparatus.

  With the spread of communication networks such as the Internet, opportunities to use various information processing apparatuses such as personal computers connected to the communication network are increasing. For example, in a home equipped with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router (not shown) connected to the Internet, a wireless LAN device that communicates wirelessly with the wireless LAN router is connected to a personal computer, so that browsing of homepages and e-mail can be performed. Transmission and reception are possible.

  A wireless LAN device for wirelessly connecting to a LAN is miniaturized on the assumption that it is used at home. Therefore, it has been proposed as a first related technique of the present invention to incorporate a wireless LAN module into a PC card inserted into a PC card slot of a notebook personal computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the first related technology, when a PC card is inserted into a PC card slot, a home page can be browsed and an e-mail can be transmitted / received using a wireless LAN module incorporated therein. In addition, a USB connector is attached to this PC card. Therefore, an external device for USB connection can be connected to this USB connector.

  However, when the wireless LAN module is arranged on the PC card, the antenna is incorporated in the PC card. For this reason, depending on the location of the laptop or other personal computer, even if the antenna orientation is changed, radio waves cannot be transmitted to the other party's communication device satisfactorily, disconnecting the communication, and ensuring sufficient communication speed. There were many cases that could not be done.

Therefore, a device that incorporates a wireless LAN module into a PC card and allows an antenna cable to be freely pulled out from the PC card has been proposed as a second related technique of the present invention (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to the second related technique, the antenna cable winding portion is arranged on the exposed portion of the PC card when the PC card is mounted in the PC card slot. If the antenna cable is drawn out from the antenna cable winding portion, it can be extended in a desired direction, and the radio wave condition can be improved.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-171158 (paragraph 0021, FIGS. 3 and 4) JP 2007-158596 A (paragraph 0046, paragraph 0047, FIG. 5)

  However, in the second related technique, the PC card protrudes from the personal computer by the amount corresponding to the antenna cable winding portion. Therefore, if an attempt is made to increase the amount of extension of the antenna cable in order to ensure good communication, an increase in the size of the antenna cable take-up portion is inevitable, and personal use in a narrow space such as a home is unavoidable. A new problem has arisen that computers cannot be arranged freely.

  Recently, a wireless LAN device having a USB terminal connected to a USB terminal of a personal computer has been commercialized. Such a product can be connected to a LAN simply by connecting the USB terminal of the wireless LAN device to the USB terminal of an information processing device such as a notebook personal computer.

  However, a wireless LAN device is generally composed of a housing having an antenna on the back. For this reason, for example, when a wireless LAN device is connected to a personal computer with a USB terminal, a space for arranging the personal computer and the wireless LAN device is required, and it is difficult to arrange these devices as in the second related technology. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to secure a work space.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of wireless communication in which the antenna orientation is adjusted in a small space near an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and a method for manufacturing the wireless communication apparatus.

  In the present invention, (b) a communication connector that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in the information processing apparatus, and (b) a predetermined wireless device is wirelessly connected. A wireless communication part in which a wireless communication circuit element for communication is covered with a highly rigid material, and (c) a cable part comprising a flexible cable for electrically connecting the communication connector and the wireless communication part. Are provided in the wireless communication device.

  In the present invention, (a) a communication connector that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in the information processing apparatus, and a predetermined wireless device communicates wirelessly. An electrical component connecting step for electrically connecting a wireless communication circuit element covering a wireless communication circuit element covered with a highly rigid material so as to sandwich a cable portion made of a flexible cable of a predetermined length; The electrical component that has been connected in the component connection process is excluded from the terminal connection portion of the communication connector described above from the object to be covered, and only the portion where the cable portion of the predetermined length is electrically connected to other components. The wireless communication device manufacturing method includes an electrical component coating step of integrally coating with a resin in a state where the wireless communication device is coated.

  FIG. 1 shows a claim correspondence diagram of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention. A wireless communication device 10 according to the present invention includes a communication connector 11 that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in an information processing device, and a predetermined wireless device wirelessly. A wireless communication unit 12 in which a wireless communication circuit element for communication is covered with a highly rigid material, and a cable unit 13 made of a flexible cable for electrically connecting the communication connector 11 and the wireless communication unit 12 are provided. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to a claim of the method for manufacturing a wireless communication apparatus of the present invention. A wireless communication device manufacturing method 20 according to the present invention includes a communication connector that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in an information processing device, and a predetermined wireless device. An electrical component connection step 21 for electrically connecting a wireless communication circuit element that is wirelessly communicated with a wireless communication unit covered with a high-rigidity material so as to sandwich a cable portion made of a flexible cable of a predetermined length; and The electrical component that has been connected in the electrical component connection step 21 is excluded from the terminal connection portion of the communication connector described above and the portion where the cable portion of the predetermined length is electrically connected to another component is excluded. And an electrical component coating step 22 for integrally coating with resin in a state of being coated alone.

  <First Embodiment of the Invention>

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a communication system using the same. The wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment is a cable type wireless LAN apparatus 101, and one end thereof is connected to a USB connection terminal 103 of a personal computer 102 as an information processing apparatus such as a notebook type. The communication system 100 includes a wireless LAN router 105 connected to the Internet 104 at home or office. The wireless LAN router 105 is a broadband router with a built-in wireless LAN access point function. The personal computer 102 is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN router 105 via the cable-type wireless LAN device 101 connected by USB, and communicates with other information processing devices (not shown) connected to the LAN or connected to the Internet 104. can do.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the cable type wireless LAN device of the present embodiment. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The cable type wireless LAN device 101 includes a male USB connector 111, a wireless LAN module 112, a cable 113 made of a stranded wire connecting them, and a built-in antenna 115 connected to the wireless LAN module 112 with a cable 114. And a covering material 116 made of a flexible member integrally covering the USB connector 111, the wireless LAN module 112, the cable 113, the cable 114, and the built-in antenna 115. However, the USB connector 111 has at least a metal terminal portion exposed from the covering material 116. In the covering material 116, the connecting portion A connecting the USB connector 111 and the wireless LAN module 112 is narrower than the other portions.

  The wireless LAN module 112 protects an external force by molding a wireless LAN circuit element (not shown) connected to the cable 113 and the cable 114 with a highly rigid material. The wireless LAN circuit element is supplied with power from the USB connection terminal 103 of the personal computer 102 via the USB connector 111 and wirelessly communicates with the wireless LAN router 105 via the built-in antenna 115. The wireless LAN module 112 modulates the information signal sent from the personal computer 102 into a signal optimal for communication, and demodulates the communication signal sent wirelessly from the wireless LAN router 105 to the original information signal. Or a circuit that realizes a wireless LAN function such as a circuit that converts a baseband signal of several tens of MHz into a radio frequency signal defined by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11b / g or IEEE802.11a. It is an aggregate.

  The signal modulation or demodulation method and data transmission / reception method performed by the wireless LAN module 112 are not directly related to the contents of the present invention. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The wireless LAN module 112 according to the present embodiment is configured by a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) module standardized by IEEE 802.16a and a Bluetooth module standardized by IEEE 802.15.1. Also good.

  The cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the present embodiment inserts the USB connector 111 into the USB connection terminal 103 of the personal computer 102 when used. The cable 113 is made of a flexible material. For this reason, the connecting portion A connecting the USB connector 111 and the wireless LAN module 112 is flexible and can be easily deformed. Moreover, since the cable 113 is a stranded wire, it does not easily deteriorate even if it is repeatedly bent. For this reason, the user of the cable-type wireless LAN device 101 can be arranged by bending the connecting portion A in various directions, so that the built-in antenna 115 can be set in the best orientation even in a narrow space.

  The manufacturing method of such a cable type wireless LAN device 101 is roughly as follows.

  First, the USB connector 111 and the wireless LAN module 112 are electrically connected by a cable 113 made of a stranded wire. The built-in antenna 115 is connected to the wireless LAN module 112 with a cable 114.

  Next, two flexible sheets of the same shape made of a resin serving as a base of the covering material 116 are prepared. On one of these flexible sheets, an electrical component in which the USB connector 111, the wireless LAN module 112, and the built-in antenna 115 are electrically connected by cables 113 and 114, respectively, is arranged. And the remaining flexible sheet | seat is piled up on this electrical component so that the shape of sheets may correspond. In this state, the entire sheet is heated to fuse the two flexible sheets. Instead of fusion, two flexible sheets may be bonded with an adhesive with the electric component sandwiched therebetween.

  Although FIG. 4 shows the connection portion A in a bent state, the cable 113 is arranged in a straight line at the time of manufacture, and the connection portion A of the covering material 116 is not in a meandering shape. Manufactured as. The same applies to the drawings of other embodiments described later.

  By using the cable type wireless LAN apparatus 101 created as described above for the communication system 100, the following effects can be obtained. First, the connecting portion A of the cable type wireless LAN device 101 is flexible. Therefore, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 can be changed into an optimum shape according to the use environment. Accordingly, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 can be used regardless of the type and installation location of the information processing device such as the personal computer 102, and the convenience as the communication system 100 is improved. Further, the overall shape of the cable type wireless LAN device 101 can be adjusted according to the use environment of the communication system 100. Therefore, the user can adjust the overall shape of the cable-type wireless LAN device 101 so that the information processing device can be used in a direction in which the radio LAN radio wave transmission / reception characteristics are favorable.

  <Second Embodiment of the Invention>

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a cable-type wireless LAN device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the cable type wireless LAN device 101A of the second embodiment, and is used for the description in this embodiment as well.

  In the cable type wireless LAN device 101A of the second embodiment, the wireless LAN module 112A corresponds to the connection of the external antenna 121. That is, the wireless LAN module 112 </ b> A is connected to the high-frequency coaxial connector 123 by another cable 122 in addition to being connected by the built-in antenna 115 and the cable 114. The high frequency coaxial connector 123 is covered on the base side with a coating material 116A, and the tip portion is exposed to the outside. An external antenna 121 is detachably attached to the tip portion. The distal end portion of the high-frequency coaxial connector 123 has a cylindrical shape, and the user can attach the external antenna 121 to the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape at an arbitrary rotation angle. In the case of the external antenna 121, it is possible to select one having a desired characteristic from several types.

  Also in the cable type wireless LAN device 101A of the second embodiment, the wireless LAN module 112A modulates the information signal transmitted from the personal computer 102 into a signal optimal for communication, and wirelessly from the wireless LAN router 105. A wireless circuit such as a circuit that demodulates a transmitted communication signal to an original information signal, or a circuit that converts a baseband signal of several tens of MHz into a radio frequency signal defined by IEEE802.11b / g or IEEE802.11a It is a collection of circuits that realize the LAN function. In this embodiment, the user can use the external antenna 121 in addition to the built-in antenna 115. For this reason, the wireless LAN module 112A includes a switching circuit (not shown) that switches between the use of the built-in antenna 115 and the use of the external antenna 121.

  Naturally, the cable type wireless LAN device 101A of the second embodiment may also be configured by a WiMAX module or a Bluetooth module, similarly to the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment. The cable type wireless LAN device 101A according to the second embodiment can be manufactured in the same manner as the cable type wireless LAN device 101 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, description of a manufacturing method is abbreviate | omitted. The same applies to other embodiments described later.

  According to the cable type wireless LAN device 101A of the second embodiment as described above, the external antenna 121 is arranged at a desired angle, so that the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment is compared. Thus, wireless communication with the wireless LAN router 105 can be performed in a better state.

  <Third Embodiment of the Invention>

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a cable-type wireless LAN device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment, and is also used for the description in this embodiment.

  The cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment includes a USB connector 111, female first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132, a USB hub controller 133, and a wireless LAN attached with an antenna 115. The module 112 is integrally covered with the covering material 116B. The USB hub controller 133 has four ports, and a cable 113B made of a stranded wire is connected between the USB upstream port and the USB connector 111. The remaining three USB downstream ports are connected to the first attached USB connector 131 by the cable 135, the second attached USB connector 132 by the cable 136, and the wireless LAN module 112 by the cable 137. The USB connector 111 and the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132 have their metal terminal portions exposed at least from the covering material 116B. The covering material 116B is a connecting portion B connecting the USB connector 111 and the USB hub controller 133, and is narrower than the other portions.

  In such a cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the present embodiment, the USB connector 111 is supplied with power from the personal computer 102, and the USB hub controller 133, the wireless LAN module 112, and the first and second attached USB connectors 131 are supplied. , 132 is powered. Therefore, a USB device such as a USB flash memory (not shown) can be connected to the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132. In addition, the wireless LAN module 112 and devices connected to the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132 can transmit and receive data to and from the personal computer 102 via the USB hub controller 133.

  The covering material 116 </ b> B has a flexible structure at a connecting portion B connecting the USB connector 111 and the USB hub controller 133. For this reason, the shape of the cable type wireless LAN device 101B can be variously changed at the connection portion B according to the use environment such as the type of the personal computer 102 and the installation location.

  Naturally, the cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment may also be configured by a WiMAX module or a Bluetooth module, like the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment.

  The cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment is provided with first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132. Therefore, even if the USB terminal of the information processing apparatus such as the personal computer 102 is used for the cable type wireless LAN apparatus 101B, there is no shortage of the USB terminal on the information processing apparatus side, and one USB terminal is added. The same effect can be obtained.

  <Fourth Embodiment of the Invention>

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a cable-type wireless LAN device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the cable type wireless LAN device 101C of the fourth embodiment, and is also used in the description of this embodiment.

  The cable-type wireless LAN device 101C of the fourth embodiment is the same as the cable-type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment in the types of parts integrally covered with the covering material 116C and their mutual connection relationship. It has become. However, when the cable type wireless LAN device 101C is compared with the cable type wireless LAN device 101B, the USB connector 111 and the USB hub controller 133 are connected by a relatively short cable 141, and the USB hub controller 133 and the wireless LAN module 112 are connected. Are connected by a relatively long cable 113C made of a stranded wire. The connecting portion C connecting the USB hub controller 133 and the wireless LAN module 112 is narrower than the other portions.

  In such a cable type wireless LAN device 101C of the fourth embodiment, the USB connector 111 is supplied with power from the personal computer 102, the USB hub controller 133, the wireless LAN module 112, the first and second attached USBs. Power is supplied to the connectors 131 and 132. Accordingly, similarly to the cable type wireless LAN device 101B of the third embodiment, a USB device such as a USB flash memory (not shown) can be connected to the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132. In addition, the wireless LAN module 112 and devices connected to the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132 can transmit and receive data to and from the personal computer 102 via the USB hub controller 133.

  The covering material 116 </ b> C has a flexible structure at the connecting portion C connecting the USB connector 111 and the USB hub controller 133. For this reason, the shape of the cable type wireless LAN device 101C can be variously changed at the connecting portion C according to the use environment such as the type of the personal computer 102 and the installation location.

  Naturally, the cable type wireless LAN device 101C of the fourth embodiment may also be configured by a WiMAX module or a Bluetooth module, similarly to the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment.

  The cable type wireless LAN device 101C of the fourth embodiment also includes the first and second attached USB connectors 131 and 132. Therefore, even if the USB terminal of the information processing device such as the personal computer 102 is used for the cable type wireless LAN device 101C, there is no shortage of the USB terminal on the information processing device side, and one USB terminal is added. The same effect can be obtained, and a USB device such as a USB flash memory can be additionally connected to improve convenience.

  Next, a specific example of the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the cable type wireless LAN device of this embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In FIG. 3, the cable type wireless LAN device 101 is replaced with the cable type wireless LAN device 101D of the present embodiment, and is also used in the description of the present embodiment.

  In the present example, the basic configuration of the cable type wireless LAN device 101D is the same as that of the cable type wireless LAN device 101 of the first embodiment, but the entire covering material 116D covers the periphery of the cable 113D in a cylindrical shape. It is slim in shape. The cable 113D is coated with vinyl using a stranded wire. Accordingly, the cable 113D can be freely bent in any direction at the connection portion A ′. Further, in the portions 201 and 202 of the covering material 116D adjacent to both ends of the connecting portion A ′, a groove is formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion A ′, thereby providing resistance to bending.

  Such a cable-type wireless LAN device 101D has a size of about 3 cm in length, about 10 cm in width, and about 1 cm in thickness. The length including the USB connector 111 and the connecting portion A ′ is about 15 cm.

  Naturally, the number of ports of the USB hub controller 133 in the third and fourth embodiments described above may be two or more. In the second embodiment, it is natural that the connection of the external antenna 121 is an essential component, and the built-in antenna 115 may be omitted.

  In the embodiment, the information processing apparatus and the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention are connected by USB, but it is needless to say that other connection methods such as a card are possible.

It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of this invention. It is a claim corresponding | compatible figure of the manufacturing method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overview of a wireless communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a communication system using the same. It is a top view showing the structure of the cable type wireless LAN apparatus by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the structure of the cable type wireless LAN apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the structure of the cable type wireless LAN apparatus by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the structure of the cable type wireless LAN apparatus by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the external appearance of the cable type wireless LAN apparatus in the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless communication apparatus 11 Communication connector 12 Wireless communication part 13 Cable part 20 Manufacturing method of wireless communication apparatus 21 Electrical component connection process 22 Electrical component covering process 100 Communication system 101, 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D Cable type wireless LAN apparatus 102 Personal computer 103 (personal computer) USB connection terminal 104 Internet 105 Wireless LAN router 111 USB connector 112, 112A Wireless LAN module 113, 113A, 113B, 113C, 113D Cable 115 Built-in antenna 121 External antenna 131, 132 Attached USB connector 133 USB hub controller A, A ', B, C

Claims (6)

A communication connector that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in the information processing apparatus;
A wireless communication unit that covers a wireless communication circuit element wirelessly communicating with a predetermined wireless device with a highly rigid material;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a cable portion made of a flexible cable for electrically connecting the communication connector and the wireless communication portion.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication connector is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is a wireless local area network (LAN) module.   The main body part excluding the connection terminal part of the communication connector and the wireless communication part are covered with the same flexible covering material together with the cable part, and a built-in antenna is located near the wireless communication part. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is connected to the wireless communication unit, and the built-in antenna is integrally covered with the wireless communication unit by the covering material.   An antenna connector for connecting an external antenna is arranged connected to the wireless communication unit, and the covering material is integrally covered with the wireless communication unit except for a connection terminal portion of the antenna connector. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: A communication connector that is detachably connected to a communication data transmission terminal that is a target of wireless communication provided in the information processing apparatus, and a wireless communication circuit element that wirelessly communicates with a predetermined wireless device are highly rigid. An electrical component connection step of electrically connecting a wireless communication unit covered with a material so as to sandwich a cable portion made of a flexible cable of a predetermined length;
The electrical component that has been connected in this electrical component connection step is excluded from the terminal connection portion of the communication connector from the object to be covered, and except for the portion where the predetermined length of the cable portion is electrically connected to another component. A method of manufacturing a wireless communication device, comprising: an electric component covering step of integrally covering with a resin in a state of being covered with a resin.

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