JP2008306385A - Portable equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide portable equipment capable of using a contactless communication function by accurately estimating the state of a user in any user's operation mode without operating an operation unit of the portable equipment. <P>SOLUTION: A storage unit 12 stores a tilt of an equipment body during contactless communication, a tilt detection unit 9 detects the tilt of the equipment body when a request signal for contactless communication is input from a reader writer 90, and a control unit 4 controls answering operation of contactless communication to the request signal from the reader/writer 90 by referring to the detection result of the tilt detection unit 9 and the stored information stored in the storage unit 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device having a non-contact communication function for performing non-contact communication with an external device.

  In recent years, mobile phones have been equipped with various functions such as a TV viewing function and a music listening function in addition to the original call function, and the functions have been advanced. Among the functions installed in mobile phones, contactless communication, in particular, is a convenient function that provides services that can replace cash and credit cards and services that replace train tickets and commuter passes. is there. Therefore, the number of mobile phones equipped with a non-contact function is increasing.

  On the other hand, a service using contactless communication may be seriously damaged if it is abused by a third party. Therefore, in many mobile phones, it is possible to place restrictions on the use of important functions in order to prevent third parties from using them easily. Even in the non-contact communication function, if non-contact communication is set to the communication prohibited state, and it is set to cancel the communication prohibited state when using non-contact communication, it can be easily abused by a third party. Absent. However, since mobile phones have many functions, it is very difficult to select and confirm the desired information from the hierarchical structure of the setting screen in order to set or cancel non-contact communication in the communication prohibited state. Complicated and cumbersome. For example, when setting or canceling the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication, after sliding the upper part of the housing to expose the operation key part in the slide-type mobile phone, input of a password, selection of the setting and confirmation It is necessary to perform the operation, and the operation is troublesome.

  As these countermeasures, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The mobile phone of Patent Document 1 has a function of determining the status of the user of the mobile phone and automatically setting and canceling the operation mode. The mobile phone disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes an acceleration sensor and a vibration sensor, and the acceleration sensor detects acceleration applied to the mobile phone body and outputs a signal indicating whether the acceleration is large or small to positive or negative. The vibration sensor detects a vibration received by the mobile phone body and outputs a signal representing a vibration state to the control unit. The control unit reads the signal input from the acceleration sensor and the signal input from the vibration sensor at a predetermined timing as appropriate, performs signal evaluation, comparison with a reference value, and other necessary processing, and signals necessary for operation mode switching. Is generated.

JP 2003-47062 A

  However, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is configured to detect acceleration and vibration and generate a signal necessary for operation mode switching, the acceleration is detected when detecting the acceleration and vibration. When the operation mode is less likely to occur or the operation mode is less likely to generate vibration, there is a problem that the sensor is difficult to detect acceleration or vibration, and it is difficult to determine the situation of the user of the mobile phone. In addition, when using a non-contact communication function with a conventional mobile phone, the user needs to release the non-contact communication disabled state by operating the operation unit. In addition to hindering ease, there is a problem that the operation procedure in selecting operation from the selection of the setting screen is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and accurately determines the user's situation in any operation mode of the user without operating the operation unit of the portable device. An object is to provide a portable device that can use a contact communication function.

  The portable device according to the present invention includes a non-contact communication unit that performs non-contact communication with an external device, a storage unit that stores an inclination of the device main body when performing the non-contact communication, and a non-contact from the external device When a communication request signal is input, the inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the device main body, the detection result by the inclination detection means, and the stored information stored in the storage means are referred to, and the non-response to the request signal is detected. Control means for controlling the response operation of the contact communication.

  According to the present invention, the response operation of the non-contact communication is controlled with reference to the detected tilt of the mobile device body and the tilt stored in advance, so that the operation unit of the mobile device is not used. The communication prohibition state of non-contact communication can be automatically released, and operability can be improved.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of a mobile device.
The cellular phone 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a telephone antenna 2, a radio unit 3, a control unit (control means) 4, a speaker 5, a display unit 6 including a liquid crystal, an operation unit 7, a microphone 8, an inclination detection unit ( It is comprised of a non-contact communication unit (non-contact communication unit) 10, a non-contact communication antenna 11 and a storage unit (storage unit) 12. Further, the mobile phone 1 is disposed so as to face a reader / writer (external device) 90. The telephone antenna 2 is connected to the wireless unit 3 and transmits and receives telephone radio waves. The wireless unit 3 communicates with the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 operates the connected speaker 5, display unit 6, operation unit 7, and microphone 8, so that the user of the mobile phone can perform a call and Internet connection service. Can be used.

  The inclination detection unit 9 measures the inclination of the mobile phone 1 with respect to the ground, and the mobile phone 1 indicates whether the mobile phone 1 is used in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or the diagonal direction. 1 usage status is detected. The non-contact communication unit 10 performs non-contact communication with a reader / writer 90 that is an external device through the non-contact communication antenna 11. The non-contact antenna 11 for performing non-contact communication avoids the vicinity of the display unit 6 and the operation unit 7 in consideration of the visibility of the display unit 6 and the operability of the operation unit 7, for example. It is often provided on the opposite side of the operation unit 7. The storage unit 12 stores the tilt of the mobile phone 1 detected by the tilt detection unit 9.

  Among services provided by using a non-contact communication function mounted on a mobile phone, there is a service that performs settlement with electronic money instead of cash or a credit card. In the electronic money settlement service, generally, a stationary reader / writer 90 is often used as an external device. The stationary reader / writer 90 normally includes an antenna unit (not shown) on the upper part of the main body of the reader / writer 90 in order to perform non-contact communication in a stable state, and the mobile phone 1 is connected to the reader / writer 90. It is supposed to be placed or held over the body of the. FIG. 1 shows a state where the mobile phone 1 is held over a reader / writer 90.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, an operation when the user uses the electronic money settlement service as a non-contact communication function using the mobile phone 1 will be described.
First, before using the non-contact communication function, the user of the mobile phone 1 tilts the mobile phone 1 in a use state corresponding to a desired non-contact communication service (electronic money settlement service in this embodiment). Is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. For example, the mobile phone 1 is placed on a flat desk, and the tilt of the main body of the mobile phone 1 is detected by the tilt detection unit 9 in a state where the mobile phone 1 is level with respect to the ground, and the detection result is stored via the control unit 4. Store in the unit 12. Alternatively, the mobile phone 1 is placed on a stationary reader / writer 90 that is actually used in the electronic money settlement service, and the tilt detector 9 detects the tilt of the main body of the mobile phone 1 in a state where it is level with respect to the ground. The detection result is stored in the storage unit 12 via the control unit 4.

  Next, the operation when using the electronic money settlement service will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The mobile phone 1 uses the non-contact communication function to pay when the main body is maintained in a horizontal state with respect to the ground, and the non-contact communication function when the main body is not maintained in a horizontal state with respect to the ground. It is assumed that payment cannot be made as unavailable.

  First, the mobile phone 1 controls the non-contact communication unit 10 via the control unit 4 so that the non-contact communication is set to a communication prohibited state (step ST1). When an electronic money settlement payment request signal, which is a contactless communication request signal, is input from the reader / writer 90 (step ST2), the tilt detection unit 9 detects the tilt of the main body of the mobile phone 1, and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit 4. (Step ST3). The control unit 4 determines whether or not the inclination detection result input in step ST3 matches the inclination stored in advance in the storage unit 12 (step ST4).

  In step ST4, when it is determined that the detection result and the inclination stored in the storage unit 12 match, and the inclination of the main body of the mobile phone 1 is in a horizontal state, the control unit 4 controls the non-contact communication unit 10 to The communication prohibition state of non-contact communication is canceled (step ST5). The non-contact communication unit 10 executes electronic money settlement that is a response operation to the request signal from the reader / writer 90 via the control unit 4 (step ST6). Thereafter, the sequence returns to step ST3 and repeats the above-described processing. On the other hand, in step ST4, when it is determined that the detection result and the inclination stored in the storage unit 12 do not coincide with each other and the inclination of the main body of the mobile phone 1 is not in the horizontal state, the request signal from the reader / writer 90 is The response becomes impossible, and the sequence returns to the process of step ST1 and repeats the above process.

  When the user of the mobile phone 1 places the mobile phone 1 on the upper part of the main body of the reader / writer 90 that is a stationary external device, or when the user holds the mobile phone 1, the tilt of the main body of the mobile phone 1 becomes horizontal with respect to the ground. In step ST4 described above, it is determined that the detection result matches the inclination stored in the storage unit 12. Further, when the use of the electronic money settlement service is finished, the user of the mobile phone 1 moves the mobile phone 1 from the upper part of the main body of the reader / writer 90. In step ST4 described above, it is determined that the inclination detection result and the inclination stored in the storage unit 12 do not match. Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1 described above, and the non-contact communication unit 10 is controlled via the control unit 4 so that the non-contact communication is set to the communication prohibited state. Note that the threshold value and the reference value relating to the inclination of the mobile phone 1 main body can be appropriately set according to the conditions of the target device.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the inclination detection unit that detects the inclination of the mobile phone is provided and the communication prohibition state of the non-contact communication is canceled based on the inclination detection result. However, the non-contact communication prohibition state can be automatically canceled without using the operation unit of the mobile phone, and the operability can be improved.

  In the first embodiment described above, the electronic money settlement service is shown as an example of the service provided by the non-contact communication function installed in the mobile phone, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, an example using a stationary reader / writer has been shown. For example, when the mobile phone is embedded in a wall, the usage state of the mobile phone is perpendicular to the ground. In this case, the mobile phone body is tilted. Can be accommodated by storing as a vertical direction to the ground. Further, the inclination detection unit may be configured using an acceleration sensor or the like.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
This mobile phone is configured by adding a contact detection unit to the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. In the following, the same or corresponding parts as those of the cellular phone according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted or simplified. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact detection unit (contact detection means) 21 is provided on the surface of the casing of the mobile phone 1 where the user touches. When the user touches the contact detection unit 21, the contact is detected and a contact detection signal is output to the connected control unit 4. When using the non-contact communication function, the user tilts the main body of the mobile phone 1 so as to have the inclination stored in advance in the storage unit 12 while touching the contact detection unit 21.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 2 are assigned to the steps for performing the same processes as those of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.
If it is determined in step ST4 that the inclination detection result matches the inclination stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 4 determines whether or not a contact detection signal is input from the contact detection unit 21 (step ST11). If it is determined in step ST11 that a contact detection signal has been input, the process proceeds to step ST5, where the control unit 4 controls the non-contact communication unit 10 to cancel the non-contact communication disabled state. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST11 that the user is not in contact with the contact detection unit 21, the process returns to step ST1. As described above, the communication prohibition state of the non-contact communication is canceled only when the inclination of the mobile phone 1 matches the inclination stored in the storage unit 12 and the user is in contact with the contact detection unit 21. The

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the inclination detection unit that detects the inclination of the mobile phone and the contact detection unit that detects the contact of the user of the mobile phone are provided, and the inclination detection result and the contact detection of the inclination detection unit are provided. Since the mobile phone has a predetermined inclination based on the contact detection signal of the mobile phone and the user is in contact with the touch detection unit, the non-contact communication prohibition state is canceled. The communication prohibition state of contact communication can be further restricted and released. Therefore, the risk of abuse by a third party can be suppressed. Further, when the user does not intend to use the non-contact communication function, it is possible to prevent the communication prohibited state of the non-contact communication from being automatically released.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and shows a control unit, a plurality of contact detection units, and a storage unit. FIG. 7 is a front view of a mobile phone according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
This mobile phone is configured by adding a plurality of contact detection units to the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. In the following, the same or corresponding parts as those of the cellular phone according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of contact detection units 31-38 are provided at locations where the user touches the surface of the casing of the mobile phone 1. When the user touches the contact detection unit 31-38, the contact is detected and a contact detection signal is output to the connected control unit 4.
In the second embodiment described above, since the single contact detection unit is provided, the user's contact may not be detected depending on how the user holds the mobile phone 1, but FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of contact detection units 31-38 are distributed on both surfaces of the mobile phone 1 and used by touching any one of the plurality of contact detection units 31-38. By configuring so as to detect the user's contact, the user's contact can be reliably detected. Moreover, when performing such control, since the control part 4 should just detect that any of the some contact detection parts 31-38 is contacting, it can comprise the control part 4 more simply. it can.

  Further, as a different usage pattern of the third embodiment, each of the plurality of contact detection units 31-38 can be configured to have a function of independently detecting a user's contact. In this case, it can be configured to perform different control depending on which contact detection unit detects the user's contact. As an example, before a user uses the non-contact communication function, an arbitrary contact detection unit is selected from a plurality of contact detection units 31-38 as a password for canceling the communication prohibited state of non-contact communication in advance. The data is stored in the storage unit 12. For example, the contact detection unit 31, the contact detection unit 35, and the contact detection unit 36 are selected from the contact detection units 31-38 and stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. When using the non-contact communication function, the user selects and touches the contact detection unit 31, the contact detection unit 35, and the contact detection unit 36 stored in advance in the storage unit 12 so that the inclination is stored in advance. Tilt the mobile phone 1 body.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 2 are assigned to the steps for performing the same processes as those of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.
If it is determined in step ST4 that the inclination detection result matches the inclination stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 4 determines whether or not a contact detection signal is input from the contact detection unit 31-38 (step ST21). ). If it is determined in step ST21 that no contact detection signal is input, the process returns to step ST1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST21 that a contact detection signal is input, a contact detection unit that detects a user's contact with reference to the input contact detection signal is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. It is determined whether or not it matches the combination of the contact detection unit 31, the contact detection unit 35, and the contact detection unit 36 (step ST22).

  If it is determined in step ST22 that the combination of the contact detection unit that detects the user's contact and the contact detection unit stored in the storage unit 12 matches, the process proceeds to step ST5, and the control unit 4 The contact communication part 10 is controlled and the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication is cancelled | released. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST22 that the combination of the contact detection unit that has detected the user's contact and the contact detection unit stored in the storage unit 12 does not match, the process returns to step ST1. As described above, only when the inclination of the mobile phone 1 matches the inclination stored in the storage unit 12 and the user is in contact with the combination contact detection unit registered in the storage unit 12 in advance. The communication prohibition state of contact communication is released.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the inclination detection unit that detects the inclination of the mobile phone and the plurality of contact detection units that detect the contact of the user of the mobile phone are provided. Based on contact detection signals input from a plurality of contact detection units, the mobile phone has a predetermined inclination and is configured to cancel the communication prohibition state for non-contact communication only when the mobile phone is in contact with the contact detection unit Therefore, the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication can be further restricted and released more reliably. Therefore, the risk of abuse by a third party can be suppressed. Further, when the user does not intend to use the non-contact communication function, it is possible to prevent the communication prohibited state of the non-contact communication from being automatically released.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the contact detection unit that detects the user's contact is a combination stored in advance, and the user contacts the combination contact detection unit stored. Because it is configured to cancel the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication only when the user is using, the combination of the contact detection unit that the user is in contact as a password to cancel the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication It can be used, and the communication prohibition state of non-contact communication can be further restricted and released.

  In addition, the contact detection part shown in Embodiment 2 and 3 mentioned above can be comprised using a touch sensor etc.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-3 mentioned above, although the mobile telephone was shown as an example as a portable apparatus, it is not limited to this.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mobile telephone which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a front view of the mobile phone which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a front view of the mobile phone which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mobile telephone which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone, 2 Telephone antenna, 3 Radio | wireless part, 4 Control part, 5 Speaker, 6 Display part, 7 Operation part, 8 Microphone, 9 Tilt detection part, 10 Non-contact communication part, 11 Non-contact communication antenna, 12 Storage unit 21, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 Contact detection unit, 90 Reader / writer.

Claims (3)

Non-contact communication means for performing non-contact communication with an external device;
Storage means for storing the inclination of the device body when performing the contactless communication;
When a request signal for non-contact communication is input from the external device, tilt detection means for detecting the tilt of the device main body,
A portable device comprising: control means for controlling a response operation of non-contact communication with respect to the request signal with reference to a detection result by the tilt detection means and stored information stored in the storage means. Provide contact detection means to detect that a person is in contact with the device body,
2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a response operation of non-contact communication with respect to the request signal based on the contact detection signal input from the contact detection unit.   The portable device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of contact detection means are provided.

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