JP2606611B2 - Telescopic antenna for IC memory card wireless modem - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telescopic antenna for a radio, and more particularly to a telescopic antenna for an IC memory card radio modem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a telescopic antenna of this kind of IC memory card wireless modem has been disclosed in, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 04 (Reference 1), a wireless modem
The antenna is configured to automatically start up when inserted into a personal computer.

[0003] That is, in the description of Document 1, an expansion / contraction structure by a mechanical mechanism of an antenna is employed, and the computer includes a detection unit for detecting insertion of a wireless modem.

[0004]

However, in the above-described telescopic antenna of the conventional IC memory card wireless modem, when the wireless modem is inserted into a computer,
Since the configuration in which the antenna is automatically started is employed, the antenna is always started when the wireless modem is inserted into the computer, and the situation that the antenna is obstructed frequently occurs.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide an extendable antenna of an IC memory card wireless modem in which an antenna is expanded and contracted according to a received electric field strength of a wireless signal received by the wireless modem.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method for connecting a wireless modem to a computer.
When the connection is continued, the electric field strength of the received
And outputs an antenna signal in response to the electric field strength detection signal.
Control the expansion and contraction of

[0007]

According to the present invention, the control means expands the antenna when the predetermined electric field intensity is greater than the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal. Can be contracted when is greater than a predetermined electric field strength,
The extension of the antenna can be minimized.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IC memory card wireless modem and a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IC memory card wireless modem 10 includes a telescopic antenna 16 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The antenna 16 is contracted when the modem 10 is not mounted on the personal computer 29.
The radio unit 14 modulates a transmission signal from the computer 20 and demodulates a reception signal received by the antenna 10. The IC memory card unit 12 controls operations of the wireless unit 14 and the computer 20.

The computer 20 has a slot 22 into which the modem 10 is inserted.

The modem 10 and the computer 20
Will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the modem 10 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the antenna 16 is automatically expanded when the electric field strength of a received signal described below is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and is not expanded when the electric field strength is equal to or more than the predetermined value.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing internal circuits of modem 10 and computer 20 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, a modem 10 modulates a transmission signal output from a first control unit 2 and transmits a signal to an antenna 1.
6 includes a transmission / reception unit 16 for demodulating a reception signal received by the reception unit 6. The electric field strength detection unit 8 receives the reception signal from the transmission unit 6, detects the electric field strength of the reception signal, and outputs an electric field strength signal. The analog / digital (A / D) converter 30 converts the electric field strength signal into a digital signal. Integration circuit 32
Integrates a digital signal and outputs the integration result as an electric field strength detection signal. The antenna driving unit 18 extends the antenna 16 when the antenna expansion / contraction signal output from the first control unit is at a high level, and contracts the antenna 16 when the antenna expansion / contraction signal is at a low level. The storage unit 4 stores a predetermined electric field strength and an expanded / contracted state of the antenna 16. In addition, the storage unit 4
An antenna expansion / contraction control mode of the antenna 16, which includes an automatic control mode and a manual control mode described later, is stored. The first control unit 2 compares a predetermined electric field intensity with an electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal. Further, the first control unit 2 outputs an antenna extension signal based on the comparison of the electric field strength and the antenna expansion / contraction control mode stored in the storage unit 4. The antenna extension signal is set to a low level when the expansion / contraction control mode is set to the automatic control mode and the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal is higher than a predetermined electric field intensity. On the other hand, when the predetermined electric field intensity is higher than the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal, the electric field intensity is set to the high level.

The computer 20 includes a second controller 24 connected to the first controller via an interface 34.
Is provided. Further, the second control unit 24 outputs the expansion / contraction control mode signal and the transmission signal to the modem 16 via the interface unit 34, and inputs a reception signal from the modem 16 via the interface unit 34. The input received signal is displayed on a display unit (not shown). The key operation unit 26 sets the antenna expansion / contraction control mode and the transmission signal, and outputs them to the second control unit 24. When the antenna operation mode is set to the manual control mode, the key operation unit 26 drives the antenna driving unit 18 via the second control unit 24, the interface 34, and the first control unit 2, The expansion and contraction of the antenna 16 is directly controlled by the key input.

Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG.
The expansion and contraction control of the antenna 16 when the antenna expansion and contraction control mode is set to the automatic control mode will be described.

In FIG. 4, first, the modem 10 is inserted into the slot 22 of the computer 20, and
Is attached to the computer 20 (S101). Next, the first control unit 2 detects the antenna expansion / contraction control mode stored in the storage unit 4 (S102). In this detection, when the manual control mode is detected, the antenna 1
The processing of the expansion / contraction control 6 ends (end). On the other hand, when the automatic control mode is detected, the received signal is input to the electric field intensity detection unit 8 via the antenna 16 and the transmission / reception unit 6, and the electric field intensity of the received signal is detected (S103). The detected electric field intensity is input to the A / D converter 30 as an electric field intensity signal, and is converted into a digital signal (S104). The digital signal is input to the integration intermediary circuit 32, integrated for a predetermined time t1, and output as an electric field strength detection signal (S105). The electric field intensity detection signal is input to the first control unit 2 and compared with a predetermined electric field intensity stored in the storage unit 4 (S106). Note that the predetermined electric field strength is desirably set to the minimum value among electric field strengths within a range in which the transmitting and receiving unit 6 can demodulate a received signal without error. In the comparison of the electric field strength in S106, when the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal is larger than a predetermined electric field strength, the first control unit 2 sets the antenna expansion / contraction signal to a low level. By inputting the low-level antenna expansion / contraction signal, the antenna driving unit 18 holds the antenna 16 in a contracted state (S107). On the other hand, when the predetermined electric field intensity is higher than the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal, the first control unit 2 sets the antenna expansion / contraction signal to a high level. By inputting the high-level antenna expansion / contraction signal, the antenna driving unit 18 controls the antenna 16 to be in the expanded state (S10).
8). The expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 expanded / contracted under the control of the antenna driving unit 18 is stored in the storage unit 4 (S10).
9).

When a predetermined time t2 elapses after the storage unit 4 stores the expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 (S
110), the electric field strength detecting section 8 detects the electric field strength of the received signal input via the antenna 16 and the transmitting / receiving section again (S111). The detected electric field intensity is input to the A / D converter 30 as an electric field intensity signal, and is converted into a digital signal (S1112). The digital signal is input to the integration circuit 32, integrated for a predetermined time t1, and output as an electric field strength detection signal (S111).
3). When the first control unit 2 receives the electric field strength detection signal, the first control unit 2 detects the current expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 from the storage unit 4 (S114). In S114, when the first control unit 2 detects the contracted state of the antenna 6, the first control unit 2 determines the predetermined electric field strength stored in the storage unit 4 and the electric field indicated by the electric field detection signal. The strength is compared (S116). In the comparison of the electric field intensity in S116, when the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal is larger than the electric field intensity indicated by the predetermined electric field detection signal, the antenna 16 holds the contracted state, and performs the control processing. Returns to S110. On the other hand, in comparison with the electric field intensity in S115, when the predetermined electric field intensity is higher than the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field detection signal, the first control unit 2 sets the antenna expansion / contraction signal to a high level. By inputting the high-level antenna expansion / contraction signal, the antenna driving unit 18 controls the antenna 16 to be in the expanded state (S116). The expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 expanded / contracted under the control of the antenna driving unit 18 is stored in the storage unit 4 (S117). When the first control unit 2 detects the extension state of the antenna 6 in S114, the first control unit 2 determines the predetermined electric field strength stored in the storage unit 4 and the electric field detection signal. The electric field strength is compared with the indicated electric field strength (S118). In the comparison of the electric field strength in S118, when the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal is higher than a predetermined electric field strength, the first control unit 2 sets the antenna expansion / contraction signal to a low level.
By inputting low-level antenna expansion and contraction signals,
The antenna driving unit 18 controls the antenna 16 to be in a contracted state (S119). Antenna driver 18
The contracted state of the antenna 16 contracted by the above control is stored in the storage unit 4 (S117). On the other hand, in comparison with the electric field strength in S118, when the predetermined electric field strength is larger than the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal, the antenna 16 keeps the extended state, and the control process proceeds to S110. Return to

In the above-described operation, the electric field intensity detection of the received signal, which is started when a predetermined time t2 elapses, is performed by the first control unit 2 via the transmission / reception unit 6 by the electric field intensity detection unit. 8 is started by outputting a detection start signal.

Next, the change of the setting of the predetermined electric field intensity and the manual control mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The operation of the key operation unit 26 determines the antenna expansion / contraction control mode, and the first control signal indicating the antenna expansion / contraction control mode is transmitted via the second control unit 24 and the interface 34 to the first control unit. 2 (S201). When the input first control signal indicates the manual control mode (S202), the key operation unit 26
The extension or the expansion and contraction of the antenna 16 is determined, and the second control signal indicating the expansion and contraction of the antenna 26 is transmitted to the second control unit 24.
And the first control unit 2 via the interface 34
(S203). When the input second control signal indicates the extension of the antenna 16 (S204), the first control unit 2 detects the expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 stored in the storage unit 4 (S205). When the detected expansion / contraction state is in extension (S206), the first control unit 2
The antenna extension signal is set to a high level, and the antenna driver 1
8, the antenna 16 is expanded by inputting the high-level signal (S207). The extension state of the antenna 16 is stored in the storage unit 4 (S208). Further, the storage unit 4 stores the manual control mode (S20).
9). On the other hand, when the second control signal indicates the contraction of the antenna 16 in S204, the first control unit 2 detects the expansion / contraction state of the antenna 16 stored in the storage unit 4 (S210). When the detected expansion / contraction state is expansion (S211), the first control unit 2 sets the antenna expansion signal to a low level, and the antenna driving unit 18 inputs this low level signal, so that the antenna 16 It is contracted (S212). The contracted state of the antenna 16 is stored in the storage unit 4.
(S208). Further, the storage unit 4 stores the manual control mode (S209).

When the first control signal indicates the automatic control mode in S202, the first control unit 2 detects a predetermined electric field intensity at the present time from the storage unit 4 (S213). . At this time, a third control signal requesting a change in a predetermined electric field intensity is generated by operating the key operation unit 26 and the second control unit 24 and the interface 3
4 and is input to the first control unit 2 (S21).
4), the changed electric field strength indicated by the third control signal is stored in the storage unit 4 (S215). Further, the storage unit 4
The automatic control mode is stored.

Further, when the antenna 16 is in the extended state in S211, the storage unit 4 stores the manual control mode.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the telescopic antenna.

In FIG. 6A, the antenna 16 has a projection 46 on its upper surface, and is extended with respect to the radio unit 14. The spring 40 includes the protrusion 46 and the wireless unit 14.
It is connected to the bottom surface. The wire 40 has a protrusion 46
Connected to the motor 44 via the bottom surface of the wireless unit 14. The case 48 forms an outer shell of the antenna 16 which can be expanded and contracted in two steps. The motor 44 is connected to and controlled by the antenna driving unit 18.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the antenna 16 is contracted. The case 48 is accommodated in the radio unit 14 and contracted in a two-stage manner.

Here, a method of expanding and contracting the antenna 16 will be described. When the antenna 16 is in the contracted state and is extended, the antenna driving unit 18 controls the motor 44,
The support of the wire 43 by the motor 44 is released. When the support of the wire 42 by the motor 43 is released, the antenna 16 is extended by the spring stress of the spring 40. On the other hand, when the antenna 16 is in the extended state and is to be expanded or contracted, the antenna driving unit 18 controls the motor 44, and the motor 44 winds the wire 43. At this time, the motor 43 winds the wire 42 against the spring stress of the spring 40, and the antenna 16 expands and contracts.

[0030]

As described above, the IC according to the present invention is used.
The telescopic antenna of the memory card wireless modem employs a configuration that expands and contracts the antenna by detecting the electric field strength of the received signal, so that the antenna can be extended only when the antenna needs to be extended. At the time of communication, the situation where the antenna is in the way can be minimized.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the detection of the electric field strength,
Since the configuration in which the antenna is expanded and contracted by the direct operation of the user is adopted, the versatility of the expansion and contraction control of the antenna can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a wireless modem and a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state when the wireless modem shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into a computer;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing an internal circuit of the wireless modem and the computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when the antenna of the wireless modem shown in FIG. 1 is expanded and contracted by automatic control.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when the antenna of the wireless modem shown in FIG. 1 is expanded and contracted by manual control, and a control method when changing the predetermined electric field strength described with reference to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary sectional view showing the structure of the antenna of the wireless modem shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 first control unit 4 storage unit 6 transmission / reception unit 8 electric field strength detection unit 10 IC memory card wireless modem 18 antenna drive unit 12 IC memory card section 14 Radio section 16 Telescopic antenna 20 Personal computer 22 Slot 24 Second control section 30 A / D conversion section 32 Integration Circuit 34 Interface 40 Spring 42 Wire 44 Motor 46 Projection 48 Case

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication system comprising a wireless modem and a computer.
Is, the wireless modem detects an electric field strength of a received signal, comprising: a field strength detection means for outputting a field strength detection signal, and a control means for controlling the expansion and contraction of the antenna in response to said field strength detection signal , Mu said at the time of connection to the computer of the wireless modem
The line modem controls the expansion and contraction of the antenna according to the detected electric field strength.
Retractable antenna radios and performs control. 2. The control means, when a predetermined electric field intensity is greater than an electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal, extends the antenna, and the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal is set to the predetermined electric field intensity. The telescopic antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is contracted when the electric field strength is larger than the electric field strength. 3. An electric field intensity detecting means for measuring an electric field intensity of a received signal, a converting means for converting a measurement result of the measuring means into a digital signal, Time integration,
The telescopic antenna for a wireless device according to claim 2, further comprising an integrating means for outputting the electric field strength detection signal. 4. A comparison means for comparing the predetermined electric field strength with the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal, wherein the control means compares the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal with the electric field strength detection signal. Antenna driving means for expanding the antenna when the electric field strength is larger than the indicated electric field strength, and contracting the antenna when the electric field strength indicated by the electric field strength detection signal is larger than the predetermined electric field strength. The telescopic antenna for a wireless device according to claim 3. 5. The telescopic antenna according to claim 4, wherein said control means has a storage means for storing a telescopic state of said antenna after said antenna driving means expands and contracts said antenna. 6. A telescopic antenna according to claim 4, wherein said control means operates for a predetermined second time. 7. The extendable antenna according to claim 6, wherein the wireless device has rewriting means for rewriting the predetermined electric field intensity value. 8. The extendable antenna of a wireless device according to claim 4, wherein said wireless modem comprises an IC memory card wireless modem for a personal computer. 9. When a wireless modem is connected to a computer
The electric field strength of the received signal and detect the electric field strength detection signal.
Output and extend the antenna in response to the electric field strength detection signal.
A telescopic antenna for a wireless device, which controls compression . 10. The antenna driving unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an antenna expansion / contraction control signal from the personal computer.
The telescopic antenna according to claim 4, wherein the antenna is extended and contracted. 11. An antenna driving means for receiving said antenna expansion / contraction control signal indicating either expansion or contraction of said antenna, an expansion / contraction state of said antenna stored in said storage means, and said antenna The expansion / contraction antenna for a wireless device according to claim 10, further comprising an antenna expansion / contraction unit that controls expansion / contraction of the antenna based on an expansion / contraction control signal. 12. The control means according to claim 2, wherein
The telescopic antenna of a wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the antenna operates only for a period of time. 13. The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit configured to set expansion / contraction control of the antenna of the antenna driving unit to control based on a comparison result of the electric field strength or control based on the antenna expansion / contraction control signal. The telescopic antenna for a wireless device according to claim 10. 14. A predetermined electric field intensity and said electric field intensity
And compares it with the electric field strength indicated by the
The obtained electric field intensity is higher than the electric field intensity indicated by the electric field intensity detection signal.
The antenna is extended and the electric field strength
The electric field strength indicated by the detection signal is equal to the predetermined electric field strength.
The antenna is contracted when it is larger than
The telescopic antenna for a wireless device according to claim 9. 15. An antenna driving means for receiving the antenna expansion / contraction control signal indicating either expansion or contraction of the antenna, an expansion / contraction state of the antenna stored in the storage means, 14. The telescopic antenna for a wireless device according to claim 13, further comprising an antenna expanding / contracting means for controlling expansion / contraction of the antenna based on an antenna expansion / contraction control signal.