JPH08149035A - Card type radio communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain the transfer of information through a radio communication network by providing an input operating means and a display means of information together with the hard and soft interface means connected to an information terminal, an antenna and a radio transmitting/receiving circuit. CONSTITUTION: A projecting part 301 is formed at one of both ends of a casing 300 of a communication card, and a communication circuit is built into this part 301. The other end part 302 of the casing 300 can be put into an extension slot of a portable information terminal PDA. A connector is provided on an end face 303 of the flat part 302, and an antenna 31 is attached onto the side face 303 of the part 302. The part 302 includes an opening 311 where a subscriber identification module SIM is loaded. Plural elastic contactors are provided on a printed wiring board included in the part 302 so that the electrical connection is secured between the module SIM and the printed wiring board.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card type wireless communication device suitable for an information terminal which cannot be connected to a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic notebooks have been widely used as personal information devices, but PDA (Pe
A portable information terminal device called rsonal Digital Assist) is also known.

This PDA has a keyboard and a touch panel for input and control, and has a function of schedule management and a telephone directory, as well as a function of creating a message using a keyboard or a pen, and a function of storing the message. Further, by installing a modem function, it is possible to perform data communication such as facsimile via a telephone line.

On the other hand, for example, GSM (Global System for
Since the mobile phone system such as a mobile communication system has a high degree of freedom of use place,
Usage for business is expanding. Such a mobile phone is connected to the nearest base station via a UHF band wireless line and can move in a relatively wide range. Then, in the mobile phone, the audio signal is digitally processed, and the time axis and the data amount are compressed and transmitted.

First, a portable information terminal and a portable telephone system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the mobile phone system, the base stations 1a and 1b installed in different areas, respectively.
Is connected to the base station link 2 and is also connected to the general telephone station 3 through the link 2 so that the line can be set.

10a, 10b and 10p are P as described above.
DA, each equipped with a modem function, PDA
10p is connected to the telephone station 3 through the wired link 4. Also, 30a and 30b are mobile phones, which are connectable to the base stations 1a and 1b through the wireless links 5a and 5b, respectively, and the modem links 6a and 6b, respectively.
PDA 10a, 10b is connected through 6b. Furthermore, the in-vehicle terminal 7 and the base station 1b are connected through the wireless link 5m.
And can be connected.

Reference numerals 39a and 39b denote authentication modules (Subscr) delivered to individual subscribers of the GSM system.
iber Identify Module (hereinafter abbreviated as SIM), which is configured as an IC card having a built-in CPU, and stores contract status such as networks available to subscribers, a personal identification number, and the like. The authentication module also provides communication encryption and a telephone directory function.

When the subscriber inserts the SIM 39a into the terminal of the GSM system, for example, the mobile phone 30a and inputs the personal identification number, the personal identification number is verified in the SIM 39a. When another GSM terminal is used at the place of destination, the terminal performs location update to the base station according to the contents of the inserted SIM.

As shown in FIG. 9, the PDA 10 is
Liquid crystal display 1 as a machine interface
1, the touch panel 12 is mounted on the display 11 so as to be overlaid on the display 11 so that handwriting input and a menu displayed on the display 11 can be selected.
Further, the input by the keyboard 13 is also possible.

The PDA 10 can usually register a personal name, an address, a telephone number, etc. in the form of an address book, and displays this on the display 11 to retrieve the telephone number of the other party. You can also do it.

As shown in FIG. 9, the data processing system 20 of the PDA 10 includes a CPU 21 and its basic program (Op
R that stores processing programs such as erating System)
It is configured to include an OM 22 and a RAM 23, and is connected through a bus 25 together with a timer 24 for time management. In this embodiment, a part of the RAM 23 is made non-volatile by backing up the battery, and the data such as the user's schedule and the telephone directory as described above is stored in this non-volatile area. The remaining area of the RAM 23 is used as a work area.

The bus 25 has an interface (I /
F) 26, touch panel 12 and keyboard 13
Is connected and through the interface 27,
A liquid crystal display 11 is connected for data input and control by handwriting and key operation, and a CPU
The results such as the data processed in 21 are displayed on the display 11
Displayed above.

A PCMCIA interface 28 is connected to the bus 25, and the function of the PDA 10 can be expanded by inserting an IC card equipped with a memory and an arbitrary application into a predetermined slot. By the way, "PCMCIA (Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association) "is a standard for IC cards used in personal computers and the like, and has pin arrangements for basic connections, signal lines,
Control commands and the like are defined, and many are adopted in PDAs.

As is apparent from FIG. 9, this PD
Since A10 does not have a modem function, it cannot be directly connected to a telephone line.

As shown in FIG. 10, a mobile phone 30 includes an antenna 31 for wireless transmission and reception, a receiver (speaker) 32 and a transmitter (microphone) 33, operation keys 34 such as dial keys, and a liquid crystal display 35. A wireless transmission / reception circuit 40, a reception signal processing system 50, a transmission signal processing system 60, and a control system 70.

The received signal from the antenna 31 is supplied to the mixing circuit 42 through the RF amplifier 41 of the transmission / reception circuit 40 and mixed with the output of the PLL 43 to obtain the intermediate frequency (I
F) is converted to a signal. The PLL 43 includes, for example, a signal within the reception band of 935 to 960 MHz and a signal of 890 to 9
A control signal for channel setting within the transmission band of 15 MHz is supplied from the control system 70. Although not shown, the IF signal from the mixing circuit 42 is supplied to a detection circuit through an amplifier and is subjected to, for example, quadrature detection and converted into a baseband.

In the radio transmission / reception circuit 40, the signal converted to the base band is supplied to the data demodulation circuit (DEM) 52 through the AD converter 51 of the reception signal processing system 50. The output of the demodulation circuit 52 is multiplexed with data and voice, and a voice decoder (VC-DEC) 53 is provided.
And the data decoder (DT-DEC) 54 in common.

The audio decoder 53 performs audio conversion processing, and the output thereof is supplied to the speaker 32 through the DA converter 55. Further, the data decoder 54 performs a decoding process on the data, the output is supplied to the control system 70, is processed by the CPU 71, and the data for the user is displayed on the display 35.

On the other hand, the audio signal from the microphone 33 is passed through the A / D converter 61 of the transmission signal processing system 60,
The data is supplied to the audio encoder (VC-ENC) 62, converted into audio data, and supplied to the data modulation circuit (MOD) 63, and the data from the control system 70 is transferred via the data encoder (DT-ENC) 64 to the data. The baseband digital signal of the data modulation circuit 63, which is supplied to the modulation circuit 63, is converted into a baseband analog signal by the DA converter 65, and the wireless transmission / reception circuit 40
Is supplied to.

In the radio transmission / reception circuit 40, a baseband analog signal is converted into a carrier signal of an appropriate frequency by, for example, quadrature modulation in a modulation circuit (not shown). The carrier wave signal is supplied to the mixing circuit 44, mixed with the output of the PLL 43, converted into a high frequency signal of a predetermined channel, and radiated from the antenna 31 through the output amplifier 45.

The control system 70 comprises a CPU 71, a ROM 72 in which a processing program is stored, and a RAM 73 as a work area, and a timer 74 for time management.
Together, they are connected through the bus 75.

In this embodiment, a partial area of the RAM 73 is made non-volatile by backing up the battery, and data set by the user is stored in this non-volatile area, and the remaining area of the RAM 73 is also stored. Is used as a work area.

A keyboard 34 and a liquid crystal display 35 are connected to the bus 75 through an interface 76 for data input and control by key operation, and results such as data processed by the CPU 71 are displayed on the display 35. Is displayed. In addition, the PDA 10 is connected to the bus 75 through the interface 77, and the SIM 39 is connected when the mobile phone is a GSM system digital cellular phone.

[0025]

By the way, since the PDA 10 as shown in FIG. 9 does not have a modem function, it cannot be directly connected to a telephone line. Further, even if the modem function is installed, when it is connected by the wired link 4p like the PDA 10p shown in FIG. 8 above, the place of use is restricted and the usability is not good.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 mentioned above, the PDA 10a, 10b equipped with the modem function is connected to the mobile phones 30a, 30 through the modem links 6a, 6b, respectively.
By connecting to b, for example, the data line of the network can be used through the wireless links 5a, 5b and the like, data transfer becomes possible, and the above-mentioned inconvenience is solved.

Since the mobile phone itself is mainly used for voice communication, the part related to the man-machine interface is insufficient in terms of data transfer, but by using the PDA together,・ The problem of the machine interface is also solved.

However, since a mobile phone has a plurality of systems, even if a communication device corresponding to a particular system is built in a PDA, there are many restrictions on use due to differences in service areas and the like. Further, there arises a problem that it is necessary to change the structure of the PDA.

In view of the above point, an object of the present invention is to provide a card type wireless communication device capable of adding a wireless data communication function to an information terminal which cannot be connected to a communication line without any change. There is a place to do it.

[0030]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the card type wireless communication device according to the present invention, when the reference numerals of the embodiments described later are made to correspond, the information input operation means 1
A card-type wireless communication device 30C that includes the wireless communication devices 2 and 13 and the display unit 11 and does not include a connection unit for a communication line and that can be inserted into a predetermined expansion slot 102 of the information terminal 10. And an antenna 31 and a wireless transmission / reception circuit 40 so that the information of the information terminal can be exchanged through a predetermined wireless communication network.

[0031]

According to this structure, the information terminal which cannot be connected to the communication line does not change itself,
Information can be exchanged with the outside through a wireless communication network corresponding to a subscriber authentication module attached to a wireless communication device inserted in the expansion slot.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a card type wireless communication device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the mechanical structure of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 300 denotes a communication card housing, one end portion 301 of which is formed in a convex shape, and a communication circuit (see FIG. 3 below) substantially the same as that of the above-described mobile phone is built therein. Together with the other end 3 of the housing 300
02 is formed in a flat plate shape, and as shown in FIG.
It can be inserted into the expansion slot 102 of the housing side surface 101 of A10. Then, the end surface 303 of the flat plate portion 302
Is provided with a PCMCIA-compliant connector 304.

The antenna 31 is attached to the side surface 305 of the convex portion 301 of the housing 300 of the communication card. In this embodiment, the base 31b of the antenna 31 is configured to be rotatable, and when the antenna 31 is used, for example, due to the elasticity of a spring (not shown), as shown by the solid line, the flat plate of the housing 300 is used. The standing state is vertical to the shape portion 302.
When the antenna 31 is not used, the side edge 30 is engaged with the antenna holding portion 307 formed on the side edge 306 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 300 as shown by the broken line in FIG.
It is in a lying state parallel to 6.

In this laid-down state, as shown in FIG. 2, the flat plate portion 302 of the communication card housing is connected to the housing side surface 1 of the PDA.
Even if you try to insert it into the expansion slot 102 of 01, the PD
The tip 31t of the antenna 31 comes into contact with the housing side surface 101 of A and cannot be inserted into the expansion slot 102.

In addition, the end surface 3 of the convex portion 301 of the housing 300
08, a jack 36 for connecting an earphone microphone (not shown) for inputting / outputting a voice signal is provided.

In this embodiment, the flat plate-shaped portion 302 of the housing 300 has an opening 31 for mounting the SIM 39.
1 is provided. The opening 311 is formed slightly larger than the SIM 39, and a pair of overhanging portions (tabs) 312 is provided on the long edge thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of elastic contact pieces 3 are attached to the printed wiring board 313 in the flat plate portion 302 of the housing 300.
14 is provided, and by this contact piece 314, the SIM 39
And the printed wiring board 313 are electrically connected and S
The IM 39 is supported so as to abut the tab 312.

Also, in this embodiment, the communication card 30C
The position of the opening 311 is set so that when the card is inserted into the expansion slot 102 on the side surface 101 of the housing of the PDA 10, the opening 311 is set so as to be entirely hidden in the slot 102. Lost,
Alternatively, it prevents damage.

Next, the electrical construction of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, an external earphone microphone (not shown) is connected for voice input / output in place of the speaker and microphone of the conventional mobile phone 30 as shown in FIG. Is provided with a jack 36 for connecting the output side of the amplifier 55 to one terminal 36s thereof, and the input side of the amplifier 61 is connected to the other terminal 36m thereof.

Further, the communication card 30C of this embodiment is
Since it is assumed that the PDA 10 is connected to operate as described above, a man-machine interface such as a keyboard and a display, and an I / O for that purpose.
Not equipped with F and. Further, in this embodiment, since the SIM 39 is mounted on the communication card 30C as described above,
There is no need to make any changes on the PDA 10 side.
The rest of the configuration is similar to that shown in FIG.

The communication card 30C as described above is the PDA1.
0 directly into the expansion slot 102 of 0, as shown in FIG. 8 above, for example, the PDA 10a and the mobile phone 30a connected by the modem link 6a, through the wireless link 5a, for example, of the network. The data line can be used to enable data communication with other mobile phones and other terminals.

The communication card 30C has a PDA 10
Since the hardware and software interfaces with and are installed, it is not necessary to make any changes on the PDA side, and by exchanging the software interface,
It can also be applied to PDAs with different OSs.

Next, the start-up process (preparation operation) of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication card 30C as shown in FIG.
If you install it in the expansion slot of A10 and operate it, PD
An interface, a so-called driver, which connects the OS installed in A10 and the communication program installed in the communication card 30C by software is required. In this embodiment, a driver corresponding to the OS on the PDA side is required. However, with the communication program, R on the card 30C side
It is stored in the OM 72.

When the communication card 30C is inserted into the expansion slot of the PDA 10 and the power is turned on, first, in step 201, the CPU 21 of the PDA 10 makes the PCM
Recognizing that the CIA-compliant communication card 30C has been installed, the communication card 3 executes the communication program as described above.
Read from 0C.

In the next step 202, the communication card 30
According to the contents of the SIM 39 attached to C, location update is performed to the GSM base station as shown in FIG. 8 through a wireless link. As a result, the location of the specific SIM 39 is registered in the base station, and the preparation for starting communication is completed.

Then, a personal identification number input request is displayed on the display of the PDA (step 203) and the user waits for the personal identification number to be input (step 204). When the personal identification number is input, the process proceeds to step 205, A check is made to see if it is the correct PIN. If the entered personal identification number is correct, the process proceeds to step 206, the display of the PDA indicates that communication is possible, and the start-up process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 205 that the entered personal identification number is incorrect, step 20
It moves to 7 and it is checked whether the input of the personal identification number is three consecutive errors. If it is not three consecutive errors,
Returning to step 202, the above-described processing is repeated.

If there is an error in inputting the personal identification number three times in a row, the process proceeds to step 208, and the SIM3
9 is closed, the fact is displayed on the display of the PDA, and the start-up process ends. In addition,
If the SIM 39 is closed, then no service will be available through the GSM network.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 as well, the data communication processing of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, when the startup process of FIG. 4 is completed, the data communication process is started.

First, in step 211, for example,
When a communication program such as FAX communication software is activated and the user waits for data input (step 212) and data is input, the process proceeds to steps 213 and 114, where the PDA-side telephone directory is saved. , SIM
The 39-side telephone directory is searched.

In the next step 215, it is checked whether or not these searches are successful. If the searches are successful, the process proceeds to step 216, where the search contents including the telephone number are PD.
When it is displayed on the display of A and the user waits for a selection operation (step 217) and a specific telephone number is selected by inputting an index number or a touch pen, the process proceeds to step 218 and is selected. The input data is transmitted to the other party, and the data communication process ends.

On the other hand, if the search is not successful in step 215, the process shifts to step 221, the failure of the search is displayed on the display of the PDA, and the manual telephone number input waiting state is set (step 222). ),
When the telephone number is input, the process proceeds to step 218, the input data is transmitted, and the process ends. If the telephone number is not input within the predetermined time, the process ends as it is.

In this embodiment, in the above-mentioned data communication process, the input screen 11T as shown in FIG. 6 or the output screen 11 as shown in FIG. 7 is selected according to the selection by the user.
R is displayed on the display 11 of the PDA 10.

The input screen 11T shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of entry fields 111 to 115 and a plurality of control function areas 120 to 125.
Are set, and in the output screen 11R of FIG. 7, entry fields 117 and 118 and a plurality of control function areas 120 and 126 are set.
~ 129 are set. In addition, each entry column 111-1
15; operation areas 131 to 135 adjacent to 117 and 118, respectively, for scrolling and displaying the marginal contents;
137 and 138 are provided.

These entry fields, control function areas, and operation areas can be selected by the touch panel 12 mounted on the display 11 or by the keyboard 13.

On the input screen 11T of FIG. 6, the destination column 111, the reference distribution column 112, the sender column 113, the header column 114, and the body column 115 are sequentially selected by the user's touch operation or the like.

In the first destination column 111, the destinations to which data etc. are to be distributed, for example, "Alpha", "Bravo", "Char"
"lie" is entered in three places, and in the next reference distribution field 112, the recipients who need to be notified of the existence of data, for example, "Delta" and "Echo" are entered. Alternatively, when the reference distribution field 112 is selected, the “D List” area 125 becomes available, and by touching the “D List” area 125, the result of the above-mentioned telephone directory search is displayed as the submenu 116. , Is displayed on a part of the input screen 11 T. Then, the user selects the index number or the telephone number of the sub-menu 116 to enter the desired telephone number in the destination column 111 or the reference distribution column 112. To be done.

On the other hand, in the case of manually inputting the telephone number, when the destination column 111 or the reference distribution column 112 is selected, the cursor is displayed in that column and the PDA 10
Input from the keyboard 13 of, for example, "xxxx xxx
The phone number of "x" is the reference distribution field 112 as shown.
Is displayed in.

In the next sender field 113, a sender, for example, "Foxtrot" is entered, but at the time of selecting the input screen 11T, the preset PDA owner name is automatically entered. You can also

Then, the header column 114 is filled with the headline of the body, and the body column 115 is filled with the body by a keyboard or handwriting. To link separately prepared data after this text, for example, touch the “Data” area 121 of the touch panel 12,
Data linking is performed by selecting the data file to be displayed. Also, when the voice data is linked, the same is done by touching the "Voice" area 121.

When it is desired to cancel all the input contents, the input screen 11T is initialized by touching the "Clear" area 123. When it is confirmed that all the input contents are correct, by touching the "Send" area 124, the input data is transferred to the network side, the data communication process ends, and the normal screen is displayed from the input screen 11T. When returning to the PDA screen, touching the “Quit” area 120 completes all operations.

On the other hand, the output screen 11 shown in FIG.
When R is selected and data is received, the reception list as shown in the figure is displayed in the sender field 117 of the output screen 11R, and the selection is made by the cursor indicated by ">>". Caller, for example, “Foxtrot
The data from the FAX communication from "
It is displayed in the body column 118.

If the user wants to see the received data file, he can touch the "Ind." Area 126
A header is displayed in the sender field 117. Furthermore, if you want to see other received data in the list in the sender column 117,
By touching the "Next" area 127 or the "Prev" area 128, the cursor moves up and down in the sender field 117, and for example, the received data from "Killo" or "Juliet" is displayed in the body field 118. To be done.

When a printer is connected to the PDA 10, by touching the "Print" area 129, the contents displayed in the text box 118 are printed. Then, when returning from the output screen 11R to the screen of the normal PDA, all the operations are finished by touching the “Quit” area 120, as described above.

In the above embodiments, the case where the digital mobile phone system is the GSM system has been described. However, by changing the hardware of the communication card 30C or the communication protocol, for example, PDC (Personal Digital Cellular)
It is also possible to support digital telephone systems other than the GSM system, such as the () system and the North American system.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, the information input operation means and the display means are provided, and
A card-type wireless communication device is formed so that it can be inserted into a predetermined expansion slot of an information terminal that does not have a function of connecting to a communication line, and hardware and software interface means with the information terminal, an antenna, and By mounting the wireless transmission / reception circuit, it is possible to send and receive information through the wireless communication network without making any changes to the information terminal itself, and the man-machine interface is shared to reduce the cost. A card type wireless communication device can be obtained.

When the wireless communication network requires a predetermined subscriber authentication module, the authentication module mounting portion for mounting this authentication module is at least partially hidden when it is inserted into the expansion slot. By providing such a position, it is possible to prevent the authentication module from falling off or being damaged during operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mechanical configuration of an embodiment of a card-type wireless communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining another operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) 11 Liquid Crystal Display 12 Touch Panel 20 Data Processing System 21 CPU 28 PCMCIA Interface 30 Mobile Phone (Digital Cellular Phone) 30C Communication Card 31 Antenna 36 Earphone Microphone Jack 39 Subscriber Authentication Module (SIM) 40 Wireless Transmission / Reception Circuit 102 Expansion slot (PCMCIA compliant) 200 Startup routine 210 Data communication routine 300 Communication card housing 311 Authentication module mounting opening

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location H04B 7/26

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A card-type wireless communication device which is provided with an information input operation means and a display means and which is not provided with a connection means for a communication line and which can be inserted into a predetermined expansion slot of an information terminal. A card-type wireless communication device comprising interface means for the information terminal, an antenna and a wireless transmission / reception circuit, and capable of exchanging information of the information terminal through a predetermined wireless communication network. 2. The card type wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication module mounting portion for mounting an authentication module of the predetermined wireless communication network. 3. The card type wireless communication according to claim 2, wherein the authentication module mounting portion is provided at a position at least partially concealed in the expansion slot when inserted into the expansion slot of the information terminal. apparatus. 4. The antenna is erected when in use,
The card type wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the card type wireless communication device is in a laid state when not in use, and the antenna in the laid state prevents insertion of the information terminal into the expansion slot. 5. The card type wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting means for inputting / outputting an audio signal. 6. The card type wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the interface means includes a program corresponding to a basic program installed in the information terminal. 7. The card type wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein information such as a telephone directory mounted on the authentication module is made available to the information terminal side through the interface means.