JP6316718B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device having a function of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods, a control method for the communication device, and a control program for the communication device.

  Conventionally, there is a communication apparatus having a function of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods. As an example of such a communication apparatus, there is a communication apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this communication device, when another device is a partner of wireless communication by the first method and power supply for the other device is interrupted, the communication possible distance is longer than the wireless communication by the first method. Preparations for performing long wireless communication with the second method with other devices are started, and communication using the second method is started instead of the first method using this preparation.

  Although not related to a communication device that selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods, Patent Document 2 discloses that when a user performs a gesture operation such as flipping a finger through a touch panel, There is disclosed a communication terminal that recognizes a specified direction, specifies a peripheral terminal instructed by a user based on the direction and the positional relationship between the peripheral terminals, and transmits data to the specified peripheral terminal.

JP 2014-22811 A (published February 3, 2014) JP2011-96102A (released on May 12, 2011)

  However, the communication device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that a desired communication method according to the user's intention cannot be selected. For example, in the communication device described in Patent Document 1, the communication method is selected with the interruption of power supply to another device as a trigger. Whether or not the power supply is interrupted is determined depending on the power supply possible distance between apparatuses regardless of the user's intention. For this reason, in the technique described in the same document, no consideration is given to the point that the user's intention is interposed in the selection of the communication method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to select a desired communication method according to the user's intention through an intuitive operation that is easy for the user to understand. And so on.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a distance specifying unit that specifies a distance from a detection surface to a detection target, and a plurality of communication devices according to the distance specified by the distance specifying unit. And a communication method selection means for selecting a specific communication method from the above communication methods.

  In order to solve the above problem, a method for controlling a communication device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a distance specifying step for specifying a distance from a detection surface to a detection target, and the distance specified in the distance specifying step. And a communication method selection step of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication device control program according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication device control program for causing a computer to execute processing in a communication device that communicates with another device. , A process for specifying the distance from the detection surface to the detection target, and a process for selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance specified in the process for specifying the distance. A control program to be executed by a computer.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a desired communication method according to a user's intention through an intuitive operation that is easy for the user to understand.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Regarding the above communication device, the relationship between the distance from the detection surface of the sensor panel to the detection target (hand or finger) and the detection space (layer), the relationship between the structure of the sensor panel and the detection resolution, and the characteristics of each detection space are explained. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the distance from a detection surface to a detection target, and detection space, (b)-(d) is the structure and detection of a sensor panel. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship with resolution, (e) is a figure for demonstrating the characteristic of each detection space. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the various table information stored in a memory | storage part regarding the said communication apparatus, (a) shows the specific example of an antenna radiation direction setting table, (b) is contained in a sector memory | storage part. (C) shows a specific example of the table information included in the layer information storage unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between input operation with the finger | toe with respect to a sensor panel, and operation | movement of the said communication apparatus, (a) shows the relationship between input operation with the finger | toe with respect to a sensor panel, and operation | movement of the said communication apparatus, b) shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit when the detection target exists in the detection space II, and (c) shows an example of the image displayed on the display unit when the detection target exists in the detection space III. An example of the displayed image is shown, and (d) and (e) are diagrams showing a state of data communication to the peripheral terminal based on the direction of the input operation by the user. It is a state transition diagram for demonstrating the flow of characteristic operation | movement (antenna directivity control) of the said communication apparatus, (a) is a display part when input operation with a finger | toe is performed in the detection space II An example of the displayed image is shown. (B) shows a state when a plurality of sectors are set around the communication device according to the input operation. (C) shows the antenna directivity. The state when it is pointed at the peripheral terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the method of detecting the position of the object (detection target) on the detection surface of a sensor panel regarding the said communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement which concerns on Embodiment 1 of the said communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement which concerns on Embodiment 2 of the said communication apparatus.

  The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the specific embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

[Configuration of Communication Device 10]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the communication device 10 includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 2, a sensor panel 3, a display unit 4, a wireless communication unit (transmission means) 5, and a GPS reception unit 6. GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. The control unit 1 performs overall control of each unit included in the communication device 10. The control unit 1 includes a sensor panel control unit 11, a display control unit 12, a wireless communication control unit 13, and a GPS control unit 14. The sensor panel control unit 11 performs overall control of the operation of the sensor panel 3. The sensor panel control unit 11 includes a position detection unit 111, a detection resolution setting unit 113, a detection sensitivity adjustment unit 114, and a movement direction identification unit (movement direction identification unit) 115.

  The position detection unit 111 detects the position of a detection target (for example, a finger or a pen tip) that contacts the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 or the position of a detection target that faces (or faces) the detection surface of the sensor panel 3. To do. More specifically, when the detection target is in contact with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, the position detection unit 111 detects the coordinates (x, y coordinates) of the position (contact point) on the two-dimensional plane. It has become. On the other hand, when the detection target is not in contact with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, the position detection unit 111 positions on the two-dimensional plane when the position of the detection target is projected in the normal direction of the detection surface of the sensor panel 3. The coordinates (x, y coordinates) of (projection point) are detected.

  Further, the position detection unit 111 further includes a distance specifying unit (distance specifying unit) 112, and can specify the distance from the projection point to the detection target (hereinafter referred to as a confrontation distance). Thereby, the z coordinate can also be specified. Here, the two-dimensional coordinates set on the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 are x and y coordinates, and the direction orthogonal to the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 is the z-axis direction.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the distance of the detection target (hand or finger) from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 and the detection space (layer), the relationship between the structure of the sensor panel 3 and the detection resolution, and each detection space. It is a figure for demonstrating the characteristic of. (A) of FIG. 2 is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the distance from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 of a detection target, and detection space. As shown in the figure, when the facing distance z between the detection target and the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 exceeds L2, the detection target belongs to the dead zone. Next, when the facing distance z exceeds L1 and is equal to or less than L2, the detection target belongs to the detection space I (layer I). Further, when the facing distance z exceeds 0 and is equal to or less than L1, the detection target belongs to the detection space II (layer II). Further, when the facing distance z = 0 (contact), the detection target belongs to the detection space III (layer III).

  When the detection target approaches the detection space I from the dead zone, the threshold of the detection level when moving from the dead zone to the detection space I is defined as (reference value 1). Here, the detection level is a voltage level corresponding to the capacitance value. When the detection level exceeds the reference value 1, it is determined that the detection target has entered the detection space I. Next, when the detection target approaches the detection space II from the detection space I, the threshold of the detection level when moving from the detection space I to the detection space II is defined as (reference value 2). When the detection level exceeds the reference value 2, it is determined that the detection target has entered the detection space II.

  Next, when the detection target approaches the detection space III from the detection space II, the threshold of the detection level when moving from the detection space II to the detection space III is set to (reference value 3). When the detection level exceeds the reference value 3, it is determined that the detection target has entered the detection space III (contacted with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3).

  Next, FIG. 2B to FIG. 2D are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the structure of the sensor panel 3 and the detection resolution. As shown in FIG. 2B, the sensor panel 3 holds a plurality of vertical electrodes (wire electrodes) arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction of the paper and a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. A plurality of lateral electrodes (wire electrodes) arranged in a large number, and has a two-dimensional electrode structure arranged in a matrix so that these intersect.

  In this embodiment, the sensor panel 3 is described as having a two-dimensional electrode structure in which a plurality of wire electrodes are arranged as described above, but the structure of the sensor panel 3 is not limited to this. For example, the sensor panel 3 may have a two-dimensional electrode structure in which a plurality of point electrodes are two-dimensionally arranged. The sensor panel 3 is a so-called capacitance type sensor and functions as a proximity detection type sensor. That is, by bringing a finger or the like into contact with the sensor panel 3, the coordinates of the contact point can be specified from the capacitance values of the horizontal electrode and the vertical electrode at the contact point.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), when a certain facing distance L2 from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 is exceeded, a dead zone space (non-detecting space) is formed, but when the facing distance L2 or less, the position of the detection target can be sensed. It becomes a sensitive zone space (detection space). Whether or not it is a space that can be detected is determined by whether or not the presence of a confronting detection target can be detected as a change in capacitance. If the detection sensitivity with respect to the capacitance is high, the facing distance L2 can be set larger.

  The detection space differs depending on the interval between the detection electrodes. If the electrode interval that actually contributes as the detection electrode is wide, a detection space wide as much can be detected. This electrode interval varies depending on the application. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that a confronting distance of 5 to 10 cm is a detection space.

  It is preferable that the spatial position of the detection target can be continuously measured as long as it is between the contact point where the detection target contacts the detection surface of the sensor panel 3. In the present embodiment, for convenience, this detection space is classified into several according to the facing distance. The detection space I indicates a space having an opposite distance exceeding L1 and not more than L2. For example, when the facing distance L2 = 10 cm, the facing distance L1 is selected to be about 5 cm.

  Next, a spatial position from the facing distance L1 to immediately before zero is defined as a detection space II. In this example, a contact point with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 is a detection space III (detection point). Now, the spatial position to be detected is determined by the detection resolution of the sensor panel 3. The detection resolution is generally determined by the distance between the detection electrodes. As the interval between the detection electrodes becomes smaller, the detection resolution becomes higher.

  In the present embodiment, the spatial position to be detected is a position in the space on the sensor panel 3 including within the detection surface of the sensor panel 3. In the case of a space, it is often sufficient to project the spatial position onto a two-dimensional plane of the sensor panel 3 and detect an area of a certain size including the projection point, but on the other hand, actually to the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 In many cases, it is preferable that the detection resolution is high in order to detect the contact point.

  In consideration of this, it is preferable that the detection resolution corresponding to the spatial position can be selected. In such a case, the detection resolution corresponding to each spatial position as shown in FIGS. 2B to 2D may be switched. In other words, it is sufficient that the detection resolution can be adjusted step by step. In the example shown in the figure, the detection resolution can be switched in three stages according to the detection spaces I to III.

  The detection resolution setting unit 113 switches the detection resolution by thinning out the number of horizontal electrodes and vertical electrodes constituting the sensor panel 3. The highest detection resolution is obtained when the interval between adjacent detection electrodes can be detected. In this case, the minimum detection area is the electrode spacing of the detection electrodes, and the coordinate points (indicated by black circles) to be detected are the most dense as shown in FIG.

  Next, the detection resolution is high when several detection electrodes are electrically thinned out. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the sensor panel 3 is composed of every other horizontal electrode and vertical electrode. In this case, the minimum detection area is expanded four times, and the detection resolution is lowered accordingly. Note that the thinning of the number of detection electrodes that contribute as detection electrodes can be realized by electrical processing.

  Further, the number of detection electrodes to be thinned out is further increased. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), the sensor panel 3 is configured by only every third detection electrode, so that the detection panel 3 can be further reduced. The minimum detection area is expanded. As a result, the detection resolution becomes the lowest. Therefore, when the detection target gradually approaches the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, the minimum detection area is set by sequentially switching the detection resolution from the lowest detection resolution to the highest detection resolution according to the facing distance of the target object. It can be gradually narrowed. The detection resolution setting unit 113 adjusts the detection resolution by detecting a change in capacitance between the detection resolution setting unit 113 and the detection target.

  As described above, the detection resolution setting unit 113 sets the detection resolution of the sensor panel 3 to be lower as the distance (opposite distance) from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 specified by the distance specifying unit 112 to the detection target increases. It is like that. Thereby, it is possible to reliably detect the movement of the detection target from a position in contact with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 to a position away from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 to some extent.

  Adjustment of the detection sensitivity (gain) of the sensor panel 3 is controlled by the detection sensitivity adjustment unit 114 of the sensor panel control unit 11. The detection sensitivity adjustment unit 114 sets the detection sensitivity of the sensor panel 3 to be higher as the distance (opposite distance) from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 specified by the distance specification unit 112 to the detection target increases. .

  The movement direction identification unit 115 identifies the movement direction (two-dimensional movement direction) of the detection target from the change in the position of the detection target detected by the position detection unit 111. Specifically, when the detection target is in contact with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, the movement direction specifying unit 115 specifies the movement direction from the change in the position (contact point) on the two-dimensional plane. On the other hand, when the detection target is not in contact with the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, the movement direction specifying unit 115 is on a two-dimensional plane when the position of the detection target is projected in the normal direction of the detection surface of the sensor panel 3. The direction of movement is specified from the change in position (projection point).

  The distance specifying unit 112 and the moving direction specifying unit 115 of the present embodiment specify the moving direction together with the distance when a movement in a direction parallel to the detection surface of the detection target sensor panel 3 is detected. It is like that.

(Detection method of the object position on the detection surface of the sensor panel)
Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a method for detecting the position of an object (detection target) on the sensor panel 3. In step S (hereinafter, “step” is omitted) 101, the detection resolution setting unit 113 checks whether or not the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1> shown in FIG. If the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>, the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand, when the electrode interval is not set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>, the process proceeds to S108. In S108, the detection resolution setting unit 113 sets the electrode interval to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>, and proceeds to S102.

  In S102, the detection resolution setting unit 113 determines whether or not the detection level exceeds the reference value 1, and if the detection level exceeds the reference value 1, the process proceeds to S103. On the other hand, if the detection level does not exceed the reference value 1, the operation of S102 is repeated from the beginning. In S103, the detection resolution setting unit 113 determines whether or not the detection level exceeds the reference value 2, and when the detection level exceeds the reference value 2, the process proceeds to S104. On the other hand, if the detection level does not exceed the reference value 2, the process proceeds to S109. In S109, the detection resolution setting unit 113 confirms whether or not the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>. If the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>, the process proceeds to S110. move on. On the other hand, when the electrode interval is not set to the electrode interval of the pattern <1>, the process returns to S101. In S110, the trajectory of the object is traced. That is, the moving direction of the object is specified, and the process returns to S101.

  In S104, the detection resolution setting unit 113 checks whether the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2> shown in FIG. 2C, and the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>. If set, the process proceeds to S105. On the other hand, when the electrode interval is not set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>, the process proceeds to S111. In S111, the detection resolution setting unit 113 sets the electrode interval to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>, and proceeds to S105.

  In S105, the detection resolution setting unit 113 determines whether or not the detection level exceeds the reference value 3, and when the detection level exceeds the reference value 3, the process proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if the detection level does not exceed the reference value 3, the process proceeds to S112. In S112, the detection resolution setting unit 113 confirms whether or not the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>. If the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>, the process proceeds to S113. move on. On the other hand, when the electrode interval is not set to the electrode interval of the pattern <2>, the process returns to S103. In S113, the trajectory of the object is traced. That is, the moving direction of the object is specified, and the process returns to S103.

  In S106, the detection resolution setting unit 113 confirms whether or not the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <3> shown in FIG. 2B, and the electrode interval is set to the electrode interval of the pattern <3>. If set, the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, when the electrode interval is not set to the electrode interval of the pattern <3>, the process proceeds to S114. In S114, the detection resolution setting unit 113 sets the electrode interval to the electrode interval of the pattern <3>, and proceeds to S107. In S107, the trajectory of the object is traced. That is, the moving direction of the object is specified, and the process returns to S105.

  In particular, the display control unit 12 performs control to change the image displayed on the display unit 4 depending on which of the detection spaces I to III the user's finger is in and in which direction the finger moves. Is. For example, a liquid crystal panel is used as the display unit 4. However, the display panel used for the display unit 4 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may be an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel, an inorganic EL panel, a plasma panel, or the like. Further, it is assumed that the display unit 4 and the sensor panel 3 of the present embodiment are laminated and integrated.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an input operation with a finger on the sensor panel 3 and an image displayed on the display unit 4. The user goes to the space on the sensor panel 3 with his hand and moves his / her hand up and down along the z direction. Next, the user stops the hand or finger in the detection space selected by the user while viewing the display on the display unit 4. Next, the user moves his / her hand in the x and y directions so as to select the arrow displayed in the image. Next, when the user moves the hand, the instructed position is highlighted and the radiation direction is designated (in the case of the detection space I, the radiation direction is not displayed because it is non-directional).

  Specifically, when the finger is in the detection space II and the direction of the input operation by the finger is the direction of the right-pointing white arrow shown in FIG. 4A, the display control unit 12 displays the figure on the display unit 4. Control for displaying an image as shown in FIG. Further, when the finger is in the detection space III (contact) and the direction of the input operation by the finger is the direction of the right-pointing white arrow shown in FIG. 4A, the display control unit 12 displays the figure on the display unit 4. Control for displaying an image as shown in (c) of FIG.

  The wireless communication control unit 13 performs overall control of the operation of the wireless communication unit 5. The wireless communication control unit 13 includes a communication method selection unit (communication method selection unit) 131, a positional relationship identification unit (positional relationship identification unit) 132, and an instruction device identification unit (instruction device identification unit) 133.

  The communication method selection unit 131 selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods determined in advance for each detection space in accordance with the distance from the detection surface specified by the distance specifying unit 112 to the detection target. This makes it possible to select a desired communication method using the touch panel hover (in conjunction with finger movement in the air).

  Next, allocation of the above-described plurality of layers and communication methods will be described. First, according to the difference in the distance (z) from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, a plurality of layers are set, and a communication method is assigned to each layer. In the layer information storage unit 23 of the storage unit 2, correspondence information between a plurality of layers and the communication method assigned to each layer is recorded in advance. In addition, the distance specifying unit 112 supplies information on the distance of the position of the operator's hand from the detection surface of the sensor panel 3 to the communication method selection unit 131, for example.

  The communication method selection unit 131 acquires the layer information from the layer information storage unit 23 and determines in which layer of the plurality of layers the operator's hand or fingertip is located. The communication method selection unit 131 determines that the communication method assigned to the determined layer has been selected by the user. That is, the communication method selection unit 131 selects the communication method assigned with reference to the layer information storage unit 23 and controls the wireless communication unit 5 with respect to the function.

  In this embodiment, a wireless communication standard used for the following wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is used as a communication method. However, the communication method is not limited to the wireless communication standard of such a wireless LAN, and other wireless communication is used. A standard may be used. In the present embodiment, a plurality of wireless communication standards belonging to so-called IEEE 802.11 are used as the communication method. Specifically, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE802.11ad, and the like are included. Hereinafter, “IEEE802.” In the notation of these wireless communication standards is omitted. 11a is a radio communication standard using 5 GHz band radio waves, and 11b and 11g are radio wave standards using 2.4 GHz band radio waves. 11n is a wireless communication standard that uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band.

  Next, 11ac is a wireless communication standard that uses radio waves in the 5 GHz band, and realizes a data transmission rate of a maximum of 6.9 Gbit / sec in the highest performance configuration. Since the 5 GHz band is used, the communication range is as wide as several tens of meters. Therefore, it is suitable for the purpose of exchanging multimedia contents in a wide range in the home.

  On the other hand, 11ad is a standard that uses a very high frequency of 60 GHz, and the communication range is as narrow as about 10 m at the maximum. However, the frequency band that can be used without a license is very wide, and it is easy to increase the data transmission speed compared to 11ac. The maximum value of the data transmission speed according to the standard is 6.8 Gbit / second, and even the type introduced on the market reaches 4.6 Gbit / second. It is suitable for applications such as transmitting high-definition video uncompressed in one room and moving a large amount of content at a relatively short distance.

  The above 11a, 11b, 11g, and 11n are non-directional communication systems, 11ac and 11ad are communication systems having directivity, and 11ad has a sharper directivity than 11ac and has a large capacity. Communication is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the communication method selection unit 131 detects the detection specified by the distance specification unit 112 when a specific communication method (for example, any one of IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, and 11n) is selected. When the distance from the target detection surface exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold, another communication method (for example, 11ac) is selected instead of the specific communication method. According to the above configuration, the user can easily understand and intuitively adjust the distance from the detection surface to the detection target by determining the relationship between the distance from the detection surface of the detection target and each communication method in advance. This makes it possible to select a communication method having a desired communication distance.

  Next, the details of the characteristics of each detection space described above will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, in the detection space I (layer I), the distance between the finger and the sensor panel 3 is farther than the detection space II, and the communication method is an omnidirectional communication method (11a, 11b, 11g, 11n). Any one of these) is selected, and the communication terminal selected by the flick operation is omnidirectionally communicated. The communication speed is the lowest among the communication methods assigned to the detection space, and the communication distance is the longest. Further, the detection sensitivity of the sensor panel 3 set for detecting a finger in the detection space I is the highest of the detection sensitivities set in each detection space, and the detection resolution of the sensor panel 3 is in each detection space. The lowest detection resolution that can be set.

  In the detection space II (layer II), the distance between the finger and the sensor panel 3 is smaller than that in the detection space I, and the communication method (11ac) having directivity is selected as the communication method. Communicate with directivity. In the figure, with respect to directivity, an example is shown in which the radiation directions are eight directions that are slanted vertically and horizontally.

  In the detection space III (layer III), the finger and the sensor panel 3 are in contact with each other, and a communication method (11ad) using a radio wave of 60 GHz band (millimeter wave) is selected. And high-capacity communication is possible. 11ad has a shorter communication distance (radio wave reachable distance) than the other communication methods described above.

  The storage unit 2 stores a program for operating the communication device 10 and various data referred to by each control block of the communication device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 2 has recording areas of a sector storage unit 22 and a layer information storage unit 23 in addition to the antenna radiation direction setting table 21 and communication method setting information 24 being recorded in advance. ing.

  The antenna radiation direction setting table 21 is table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the detection space (or layer), the flick direction, and the radio wave radiation direction. The communication method setting information 24 is information necessary for setting a communication method according to the communication methods IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, and 11ad. The sector storage unit 22 stores table information indicating the correspondence between the detection space (or layer), the flick direction, and the communication area (or sector). In the layer information storage unit 23, information related to the characteristics of the layers I to III (detection spaces I to III) is recorded. In the following, it is assumed that the communication device 10 can perform communication using n (n is an integer of 2 or more) directional antennas.

  A specific example of the antenna radiation direction setting table 21 is shown in FIG. In the detection space I (layer I), since communication is performed omnidirectionally, the radiation direction is omnidirectional. Here, it is assumed that the number of directional antennas is n as described above. However, the number of divisions in the radial direction and the number of divisions in the flick direction are not limited to the number of directional antennas being n. For example, for controlling the directivity of the antenna, a combined directivity pattern, which is a combination of directivity patterns respectively set for the directional antenna; the first antenna to the n-th antenna (see FIG. 1), is used. . Therefore, the settable number of divisions in the radiation direction is set to m (where n <m).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the detection space III has a larger number of divisions in the radial direction and a division number in the flick direction than the detection space II. For example, in the example of the detection space II, an example in which the radial direction and the flick direction are divided into eight directions is shown. Here, since 8 <m, the number of divisions in the flick direction (the first direction to the eighth direction) and the number of divisions in the radial direction (the 2-1 direction to the 2nd to 8th directions) coincide with each other. ing.

  Next, in the detection space III, display is performed so as to correspond to an arbitrary flick direction. However, since the radiation direction that is actually possible is less than or equal to m, the number of divisions in the radiation direction is smaller than the number of divisions in the flick direction. In FIG. 3A, as an example in the detection space III, the division number in the radial direction is m (the 3-1 direction to the 3-m direction), and the division number in the flick direction is 2 m (the first direction to the second m). An example of setting to (direction) is shown.

  Next, FIG. 3B shows a specific example of table information included in the sector storage unit 22. As shown in FIG. 3B, the detection space III has a larger number of divisions in the flick direction and a division number of the communication area than the detection space II. For example, in the example of the detection space II, the flick direction and the communication area are divided into 8 directions (first direction to 8th direction) and 8 areas (2-1 area to 2-8 area), respectively. Show. Here, since 8 <m, the number of divisions in the flick direction (the first direction to the eighth direction) and the number of divisions of the communication area (the 2-1 area to the 2nd to 8th areas) are equal to 8. ing.

  Next, in the detection space III, the actual number of communication area divisions is m or less, so the communication area division number is smaller than the flick direction division number. In FIG. 3B, as an example in the detection space III, the division number of the communication area is m (3-1 area to 3-m area), and the division number in the flick direction is 2 m (first direction to second m). An example of setting to (direction) is shown.

  Next, FIG. 3C shows a specific example of the table information included in the layer information storage unit 23. According to the table information, the facing distance z at the boundary between the detection space II and the detection space III is set to L1, and the facing distance z at the boundary between the detection space I and the dead zone is set to L2.

  For example, when the wireless communication unit 5 includes Bluetooth (registered trademark), the positional relationship specifying unit 132 uses a Bluetooth broadcast or the like and is present in the vicinity of the local terminal capable of short-range wireless communication. The terminal is searched, and control for specifying the positional relationship between the searched peripheral terminal and the own apparatus is performed.

  Note that the positional relationship between each peripheral terminal and its own terminal is specified using the current position information acquired by each terminal by the GPS (Global Positioning System) function and the direction of the own terminal with respect to a predetermined reference direction. Can do. The GPS control unit 14 acquires the current position information indicating the current position of the communication device 10 (own terminal) via the GPS receiving unit 6. In addition, each of the peripheral terminals acquires its current position information by its own GPS function. Current position information acquired by the GPS function is transmitted and received between the terminal and each peripheral terminal through short-range wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 5.

  The positional relationship specifying unit 132 specifies the orientation of each peripheral terminal when the terminal is centered on the basis of the current position information of each of the peripheral terminals received from the peripheral terminal and the current position information of the terminal. The instruction device specifying unit 133 is instructed by the user from the moving direction of the detection target specified by the moving direction specifying unit 115 and the positional relationship between the own device specified by the positional relationship specifying unit 132 and each of the plurality of peripheral devices. Identify peripheral equipment.

  Specifically, when the user performs a flick operation as shown in FIG. 4D and FIG. 4E, the movement direction specifying unit 115 specifies the flick direction of the finger. Next, the pointing device specifying unit 133 determines the finger flick direction specified by the moving direction specifying unit 115 and the positional relationship between the own device specified by the positional relationship specifying unit 132 and each of the plurality of peripheral devices. Identify the designated peripheral terminal. Next, the wireless communication control unit 13 transmits data to the peripheral terminal specified by the instruction device specifying unit 133 as shown in (d) of FIG. 4 and (e) of FIG. According to the above, it is possible to perform data communication with a specific peripheral device by a user-friendly and intuitive operation.

  The wireless communication unit 5 includes n (n is a natural number) directional antennas (first antenna, second antenna,..., Nth antenna for performing short-range wireless communication; Are simply referred to as “directional antennas”). The wireless communication unit 5 includes a modulator, an amplifier, an antenna, and the like. The wireless communication unit 5 is configured to be compatible with wireless communication using a plurality of methods. The plurality of systems includes short-range wireless communication based on the Bluetooth standard or the wireless LAN standard. The wireless communication unit 5 includes a directivity control unit (directivity control unit) 51 and a communication state detection unit (communication state detection unit) 56.

  The directivity control unit 51 controls the directivity by setting the direction of the beam radiated from the directional antenna (radiation direction of radio waves) according to the moving direction of the finger specified by the moving direction specifying unit 115. Is. The directivity control unit 51 includes a beam direction division number setting unit 52, a sector setting unit 53, and a beam control unit 54.

  The beam direction division number setting unit 52 sets the number of divisions in the direction of the beam radiated from the directional antenna. In the present embodiment, when the user's finger is present in the detection space I, the beam direction division number setting unit 52 does not set the division number in the radiation direction because communication is performed in a non-directional manner. Further, the beam direction division number setting unit 52 sets the number of divisions in the radial direction in eight directions of up / down / left / right, right diagonal, and left diagonal with respect to the paper surface when the user's finger is present in the detection space II. To do. In addition, when the user's finger is present in the detection space III, it is possible to increase the number of radial divisions depending on the number of directional antennas provided. That is, when the user's finger exists in the detection space III, an arbitrary direction can be designated.

  The sector setting unit 53 sets a plurality of sectors that are candidates for directing the direction of the beam radiated from the directional antenna according to the moving direction of the detection target specified by the moving direction specifying unit 115. Specifically, the communication area around the terminal is divided into a plurality of sector sectors according to the moving direction of the detection target.

  The beam control unit 54 controls the direction of the beam emitted from the directional antenna in the flicking direction of the finger. As described above, if communication is performed with a directional antenna after recognizing the positional relationship with the counterpart device, mutual interference with other wireless devices can be reduced, and power required for communication can be suppressed. As an antenna directivity control system using a directional antenna, an adaptive array antenna system can be exemplified, but various systems have been proposed for this adaptive array antenna system.

  Specifically, a plurality of antennas having small outputs are installed side by side, and the radio waves transmitted from these antennas are combined waves (beams) of outputs from the individual antennas. By adjusting the phase (oscillation timing) of radio waves transmitted from a plurality of antennas, the traveling direction of the combined wave (beam) is controlled. Thereby, since a radio wave can be directed in a specific direction, a trouble that the radio wave interferes can be avoided. It is also possible to increase the reach of radio waves. As described above, according to the directivity control unit 51, a good route can be selected as the communication route.

  The communication state detection unit 56 detects the state of the communication environment [for example, reception sensitivity or RSSI]. Here, the reception sensitivity is the minimum reception input power that can ensure reception quality necessary for communication. RSSI is a received signal strength index value and is a signal strength of a received radio wave.

  The communication method selection unit 131 selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the state of the communication environment detected by the communication state detection unit 56. Thereby, it becomes possible to select an appropriate communication method according to the state of the communication environment by predetermining a communication method suitable for the state of the communication environment.

(About antenna directivity control)
Next, FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram for explaining the flow of characteristic operation (control of antenna directivity) of the communication apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the situation where the user's hand is present in the detection space II (the number of selectable radio wave emission directions is eight), the hover operation is performed rightward with respect to the paper surface. Suppose it was done. At this time, the sector setting unit 53 divides the right half area into a plurality of sectors as shown in FIG. 5B (four divisions of areas a1 to a4). Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the beam control unit 54 selects the area a3 that is the flicking direction of the finger among the areas a1 to a4, and directs the antenna in the direction of the area a3 ( (Direction of beam direction) is controlled.

Embodiment 1 Characteristic Operation of Communication Device 10 (Part 1)
Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of characteristic operations of the communication apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, when the communication mode (short-range wireless communication mode) is turned on, the process starts and proceeds to S201. In S201, short-range wireless communication is activated, the positional relationship specifying unit 132 (positional relationship specifying means) is started, and the process proceeds to S202. In S202, the positional relationship specifying unit 132 searches for a nearby terminal capable of short-range wireless communication existing around the terminal by broadcast or the like of short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth), and recognizes the searched peripheral terminal. The process proceeds to S203.

  In S203, a signal (current position information) for detecting a mutual positional relationship with the peripheral terminal is received, and the process proceeds to S204. In S204, the positional relationship specifying unit 132 recognizes (specifies) the positional relationship (direction, distance, etc.) between the terminal itself and other peripheral terminals, and proceeds to S205.

  In S205, the position detection unit 111 detects the position of the object (detection target) on the detection surface of the sensor panel 3, and proceeds to S206. In S206, the movement direction identification unit 115 monitors whether or not the user has performed a transmission gesture operation for moving the hand (or finger) sideways. As a result, if there is a gesture operation, the process proceeds to S207. On the other hand, if there is no gesture operation, the process returns to S205.

  In S207, the movement direction identification unit 115 analyzes the gesture operation, identifies (acquires) the user instruction direction and the like, and proceeds to S208. In S208, the instruction device specifying unit 133 specifies the peripheral terminal of the communication partner based on the user's instruction direction and the like, and the process proceeds to S209.

  In S209, the communication method selection unit 131 determines whether the detection target belongs to the detection space I or the detection space II or III. As a result, when it is determined that the detection target belongs to the detection space I, the process proceeds to S211 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the detection target belongs to either of the detection spaces II and III, the process proceeds to S210.

  In S210, the communication direction is set using a directional antenna. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sector setting unit 53 divides the communication area into a plurality of sectors, and the beam control unit 54 applies a directional antenna to the sector in the flicking direction of the finger. Control is performed to direct the direction of the emitted beam, and the process proceeds to S211. In S211, the wireless communication control unit 13 transmits content data to the partner communication terminal via the short-range wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 5, and the process proceeds to S212.

  In S212, the user examines whether or not to end the communication mode. As a result, if it is determined to end the communication mode, the end (END) is set. On the other hand, if it is determined in S212 that the communication mode is not terminated, the process returns to S202.

(Effect of communication device 10)
As described above, according to the communication device 10, the communication method selection unit 131 selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance from the detection surface specified by the distance specification unit 112 to the detection target. Select the communication method. For this reason, for a user who adjusts the distance from the detection surface to the detection target by predetermining the relationship between the detection surface and the detection target (for example, the user's hand or finger) and each communication method. A desired communication method according to the user's intention can be selected by an easy-to-understand and intuitive operation. In the communication device 10, a plurality of layers (detection spaces) are set according to the distance between the finger and the sensor panel 3, and boundary values of the distances between the layers are stored in the layer information storage unit 23. In addition, a communication method is assigned in advance to each layer. Thus, the desired communication method can be easily selected by changing the layer on which the hand or finger is positioned.

Moreover, the communication apparatus 10 also has the following effects.
(1) Since the communication method and the radiation direction can be arbitrarily controlled without contacting the sensor panel 3, the operability is improved.
(2) Deterioration of antenna characteristics due to covering the antenna with a hand can be avoided.
(3) Since the radiation direction becomes narrow, power consumption is suppressed.
(4) Through an intuitive operation, the communication method can be switched according to the amount of data to be transmitted.

[Embodiment 2; Characteristic Operation of Communication Device 10 (Part 2)]
Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a characteristic operation flow of the communication apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The communication method selection unit 131 illustrated in FIG. 1 may select a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the state of the communication environment detected by the communication state detection unit 56. Thereby, it becomes possible to select an appropriate communication method according to the state of the communication environment by predetermining a communication method suitable for the state of the communication environment.

  For example, when communication is performed using the communication method of 11ad (60 GHz), there is a high possibility that communication will be interrupted depending on the state of the communication environment. For example, when the reception sensitivity or RSSI is lower than the reference value, Switch the communication method to continue communication. Hereinafter, the flow of the communication method selection process described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following, the total number of sectors in the detection space II <the total number of sectors in the detection space III (for example, the total number of sectors in the detection space III is set to be twice the total number of sectors in the detection space II). It will be explained as a thing.

  In S301, if reception is performed in the 11ad communication method in the detection space III, the process proceeds to S302. On the other hand, in the detection space III, when reception is not performed using the 11ad communication method, the process returns to the beginning of the flow.

  In S302, the communication state detection unit 56 measures reception sensitivity or RSSI, and proceeds to S304. In S304, when the measurement value of the reception sensitivity or RSSI is equal to or smaller than a predetermined reference value a, the process proceeds to S305. On the other hand, when the reception sensitivity or RSSI measurement value exceeds the reference value a, the process returns to the beginning of the flow.

  In S305, the communication method selection unit 131 refers to the sector storage unit 22, identifies the sector (1) of the detection space III that has been communicating with the 11ad communication method, and proceeds to S306. In S306, the communication method selection unit 131 identifies the sector (2) including the sector (1) from the plurality of sectors in the detection space II, and the process proceeds to S307.

  In S307, the communication method selection unit 131 selects the 11ac communication method instead of the 11ad communication method, causes the wireless communication unit 5 to continue communication in 11ac in the sector (2), and proceeds to S308. In S308, the communication method selection unit 131 notifies the display control unit 12 that the communication method has been switched to 11ac, and the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 4 to display a display corresponding to the notification and sets the END. .

[Embodiment 3; Implementation by software]
The control blocks of the communication device 10 (in particular, the sensor panel control unit 11, the wireless communication control unit 13, the directivity control unit 51, and the communication state detection unit 56) are logic circuits (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. Hardware), or software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the communication device 10 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU), or A storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The communication device (10) according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a distance specifying unit (distance specifying unit 112) for specifying the distance from the detection surface to the detection target, and a plurality of the distances specified by the distance specifying unit. Communication system selection means (communication system selection unit 131) for selecting a specific communication system from among the above communication systems. According to the above configuration, the communication method selection unit selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance from the detection surface specified by the distance specifying unit to the detection target. For this reason, for a user who adjusts the distance from the detection surface to the detection target by predetermining the relationship between the detection surface and the detection target (for example, the user's hand or finger) and each communication method. A desired communication method according to the user's intention can be selected by an easy-to-understand and intuitive operation.

  Further, the communication device according to aspect 2 of the present invention is the above-described aspect 1, in which the movement direction specifying means for specifying the movement direction of the detection target from the change in the position of the detection target in the detection surface and the space on the detection surface. And directivity control means for controlling the directivity of the directional antenna according to the movement direction of the detection target specified by the movement direction specifying means, and the directivity control means is controlled by the communication method selection means. The directivity control may be performed when a communication method in which the directivity control is performed is selected.

  According to the above configuration, the directivity of the directional antenna is set according to the direction in which the detection target (for example, the user's hand or finger) has moved. For this reason, the directivity of the antenna can be directed to the user's desired direction by an easy-to-understand and intuitive operation for the user to change the position of the detection target in the space on the detection surface.

  In addition, the communication device according to aspect 3 of the present invention includes the communication state detection unit that detects the state of the communication environment in the above aspect 1 or 2, and the communication method selection unit is detected by the communication state detection unit. A specific communication method may be selected from the plurality of communication methods according to the state of the communication environment. According to the above configuration, it is possible to select an appropriate communication method according to the state of the communication environment by determining a communication method suitable for the state of the communication environment in advance.

  Moreover, the control method of the communication apparatus according to the aspect 4 of the present invention includes a distance specifying step for specifying the distance from the detection surface to the detection target, and a plurality of communication methods according to the distance specified in the distance specifying step. A communication method selection step of selecting a specific communication method from among them. According to the above method, it is possible to select a desired communication method according to the user's intention by an intuitive operation that is easy for the user to understand.

  The communication apparatus according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the communication apparatus is a control program for causing the computer to execute processing in the communication apparatus that communicates with other apparatuses. A process for identifying a distance from the detection surface to a detection target, a process for selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods, according to the distance specified in the process for specifying the distance, A control program for causing a computer to execute and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[Another expression of the present invention]
The present invention can also be expressed as follows. That is, in the communication device according to one aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the communication method selection unit is configured such that the distance specified by the distance specification unit has a predetermined threshold value when a specific communication method is selected. If it exceeds or falls below, another communication method may be selected instead of the specific communication method. According to the above configuration, the user can easily understand and intuitively adjust the distance from the detection surface to the detection target by predetermining the relationship between the distance from the detection surface to the detection target and each communication method. This makes it possible to select a communication method having a desired communication distance.

  Further, in the communication device according to another aspect of the present invention, in the above aspect, the distance specifying unit and the moving direction specifying unit may detect the movement of the detection target in a direction parallel to the detection surface. The moving direction may be specified together with the distance. According to the above configuration, the distance from the detection surface to the detection target and the moving direction of the detection target can be simultaneously specified only by giving the detection target a movement in a direction parallel to the detection surface.

  The communication device according to still another aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the above aspect, wherein the position of the device and each of the plurality of peripheral devices is determined from the current position information of the plurality of peripheral devices and the current position information of the device. From the positional relationship specifying means for specifying the relationship, the moving direction of the detection target specified by the moving direction specifying means, and the positional relationship between the own device specified by the positional relationship specifying means and each of the plurality of peripheral devices In addition, there may be provided instruction device specifying means for specifying a peripheral device to be radiated radio wave, and transmission means for transmitting data to the peripheral device specified by the instruction device specifying means. According to the above configuration, data communication with a specific peripheral device can be performed by a user-friendly and intuitive operation of changing the position of the detection target.

[Additional Notes]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  The present invention can be used for a communication apparatus having a function of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook PC, a portable game machine, and the like.

5 Wireless communication unit 10 Communication device 51 Directivity control unit (directivity control means)
56 Communication state detection unit (communication state detection means)
112 Distance identification part (distance identification means)
115 Movement direction identification part (movement direction identification means)
131 Communication system selection unit (communication system selection means)

Claims (5)

Distance specifying means for specifying the distance from the detection surface to the detection target;
A communication apparatus comprising: a communication method selection unit that selects a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance specified by the distance specifying unit. A moving direction specifying means for specifying a moving direction of the detection target from a change in position of the detection target in the detection surface and a space on the detection surface;
Directivity control means for controlling the directivity of the directional antenna according to the moving direction of the detection target specified by the moving direction specifying means,
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the directivity control unit performs the directivity control when the communication method in which the directivity control is performed is selected by the communication method selection unit. . Communication state detection means for detecting the state of the communication environment,
3. The communication method selection unit selects a specific communication method from the plurality of communication methods according to the state of the communication environment detected by the communication state detection unit. The communication apparatus as described in. A distance specifying step for specifying the distance from the detection surface to the detection target;
A communication method control method comprising: a communication method selection step of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance specified in the distance specifying step. A control program for the communication device for causing a computer to execute processing in a communication device that communicates with another device,
Processing to identify the distance from the detection surface to the detection target;
A control program for causing a computer to execute a process of selecting a specific communication method from a plurality of communication methods according to the distance specified in the process of specifying the distance.

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