JP2008118625A - Wireless control device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless control device for a notebook personal computer that prevents a human body from being brought as close as possible to or touching an antenna that is an electromagnetic wave generation source even in a tablet computer.
A tablet computer 10 that communicates with other wireless devices via a plurality of antennas (AT1, AT2), wherein a wireless communication control unit transmits a position farthest from an operator among the plurality of antennas when transmitting, Alternatively, the plurality of antennas are switched so that radio waves are transmitted using one antenna ([B] AT1) arranged at a position where the operator is least likely to touch a part of the human body. With such an operation, even if it is a tablet computer, the hand or part of the body of the computer operator is kept as close as possible to the antenna that is a source of electromagnetic waves harmful to the human body, or is not touched.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless control device that performs switching control of a wireless communication antenna of a portable information processing apparatus (hereinafter collectively referred to as a notebook personal computer) such as a notebook personal computer having wireless communication means.

  In recent years, when connecting to a network such as the Internet from the portability of a notebook personal computer, network communication by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN convenient for movement has become common. In addition, for connection between a notebook computer and an external device, data by wireless communication such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) is used rather than using a wired cable such as USB or IEEE1394. Those who make communication connections are increasing.

  The conventional personal computer will be described below.

  6A to 6C are external views of a conventional notebook computer. 6A, a notebook computer 100 includes a notebook computer main body 101 and a display unit 102 (liquid crystal panel or the like). In addition, the display unit 102 has functions such as a touch panel and a digitizer using a pressure sensor. These functions play the same role as the keyboard 103 and the touch pad 104 as input devices. In many cases, the input operation position of the touch panel also serving as a display unit indicates a very narrow range. Therefore, it is more convenient to perform input work using the touch pen 105 attached with a thin and sharp tip. is there.

  The operation of the conventional notebook personal computer configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, a conventional notebook computer normally uses a keyboard 103, a mouse, and a touch pad 104 as input devices. Further, not only can the display unit 102 be tilted back and forth, but the display unit 102 can be rotated 180 degrees or more about the rotation shaft 106 as shown in FIG. 6B. Therefore, it is possible to direct only the display unit 102 in a direction that is easy for the user to view without moving the notebook personal computer main body 101. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the display unit 102 can be rotated 180 degrees around the rotation shaft 106 and folded so as to overlap the notebook personal computer main body 101. The display unit 102 has a touch panel function, and can be used as a tablet computer as shown in FIG. 6C. Therefore, the display unit 102 is highly portable and highly convenient for the user.

  7A and 7B are diagrams showing a conventional notebook computer and a wireless communication antenna.

  In FIG. 7A, as in FIG. 6A, the notebook personal computer 100 includes a notebook personal computer main body 101 and a display unit 102 (liquid crystal panel or the like). Diversity antennas 71 and 72 for wireless communication are arranged above display unit 102 and at both left and right ends. These antennas 71 and 72 are arranged so that they are arranged as far away from the operator as possible in consideration of the influence of electromagnetic waves on the human body of the notebook personal computer operator.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the wireless communication antennas 71 and 72 pass signals to a printed wiring board 31 in which a copper foil is printed on an insulator and a high-frequency signal transmission unit or reception unit (both not shown). The cable 32 is simply configured. In FIG. 7A, the personal computer casing is partially removed and displayed. However, since it is actually mounted inside the housing, it cannot be confirmed from the outside. Here, the diversity antenna connects a plurality of antennas and receives antennas with good reception conditions while switching. Therefore, although two antennas 71 and 72 are used in FIG. 7A, only one antenna is actually received and used.

  In a device that generates an electromagnetic wave, a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value is defined. The SAR value is a reference value determined based on scientific grounds so that electromagnetic waves do not affect human health. The SAR value is a measure of the amount of electromagnetic waves absorbed by a living body and is called “specific absorption rate” or “local absorption rate”. The SAR value indicates the amount of electromagnetic wave energy absorbed by a given tissue in a certain period of time when a living body is exposed to the electromagnetic wave. SAR tolerance varies by country. In order to clear this allowable value, it is important that the human body is kept as close as possible to the source of electromagnetic waves or is not touched.

When the notebook personal computer is used in the form as shown in FIG. 6A, the antennas for wireless communication are arranged at the left and right ends above the display unit 102. Assuming that the operator is facing the display unit 102 in front of the notebook personal computer main body 101 (the position of the dashed ellipse in FIG. 6A), these arrangements are positioned farthest from the operator's human body. Considered. That is, the position is as far as possible from the operator in consideration of the influence of the electromagnetic wave on the human body of the notebook computer operator.
JP 2001-358802 A JP 2001-358514 A JP 2003-283393 A JP 2003-163958 A JP 2002-290544 A

  However, when used as a tablet computer as shown in FIG. 6C, since the notebook personal computer main body 101 and the display unit 102 overlap each other, the notebook personal computer main body 101 and the display unit 102 are directly held by one hand. Therefore, there is a high possibility that a hand or a body touches portions near the antenna for wireless communication arranged at both ends of the display unit 102.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless control device for a notebook computer that prevents a human body from being brought as close as possible to or touching an antenna that is an electromagnetic wave generation source even if it is a tablet computer.

  A wireless control device according to the present invention is a wireless control device for a portable information device having a wireless communication function for communicating with another wireless device using a plurality of antennas, and wirelessly transmits / receives to / from another wireless device. A communication module; and a radio communication control unit configured to perform radio wave transmission / reception of the radio communication module, stop operation, and switch to an optimum antenna among a plurality of antennas. In the wireless communication control unit, when the wireless communication module transmits, the position farthest from the operator operating the portable information device among the plurality of antennas, or the operator is most likely to touch a part of the human body. A plurality of antennas are switched so that radio waves are transmitted using antennas arranged at low positions. With such an operation, even in the case of a tablet computer, the hand or part of the body of the computer operator can be kept as close as possible to the antenna, which is a source of electromagnetic waves harmful to the human body, or prevented from touching.

  As described above, the present invention is a wireless control in which a computer operator's hand and a part of the body are kept as close as possible or not to an antenna that is a source of electromagnetic waves harmful to the human body even in a tablet computer. An excellent effect that an apparatus can be provided is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(Embodiment 1)
1A and 1B are diagrams showing the relationship between a personal computer main body and transmission of two antennas when used as a tablet computer of the present invention. 1A and 1B, a notebook computer 10 includes a notebook computer body 11 and a display unit 12 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like. When used in the form of a tablet computer, the display unit 12 is folded and used so as to overlap the notebook computer body 11.

  An antenna 171 (hereinafter referred to as “AT1”) and an antenna 172 (hereinafter referred to as “AT2”) are diversity antennas for wireless communication, and are arranged at both left and right ends above the display unit 12 in FIG. 1A. These antennas AT1 and AT2 are arranged so that they are arranged as far as possible from the operator in consideration of the influence of electromagnetic waves on the human body of the notebook personal computer operator.

  Note that the diversity antenna is a mechanism for connecting multiple antennas and switching while switching antennas with good reception conditions as needed. In FIG. 1A, two antennas are used, but only one is actually received. It is. AT1 and AT2 are arranged inside the casing of the notebook personal computer display unit 12.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a radio control apparatus that controls switching of radio communication antennas. The wireless control device of the present invention is provided in the notebook computer 10. In FIG. 2, the wireless control device 20 of the present invention includes a wireless module 21 and a wireless communication control unit 22. The wireless module 21 transmits and receives high-frequency signals from the wireless communication antennas AT1 and AT2. The wireless communication control unit 22 delivers transmission data before modulation and reception data after demodulation to the wireless communication module 21. In addition, it controls which antenna (AT1, AT2) to switch so that the SAR value is minimized for the operator during operation, stop, particularly during transmission, during transmission, reception, and stop.

  The operation of the wireless control device configured as described above will be described.

  In FIG. 1A, when the notebook computer 10 is placed horizontally as a tablet computer, that is, when the long side in the longitudinal direction of the display unit 12 is used in front of the operator, the wireless communication antennas AT1, AT2 are used. Both are located farthest away from the operator, and the possibility of directly touching that portion is low. Therefore, for such a notebook personal computer configuration, the SAR value becomes the minimum value in this case (hereinafter referred to as “case 1”).

  In the case of receiving a radio wave in case 1, the system is configured to switch to the antenna having the better reception status among the two antennas for communication with the wireless device to be communicated. Therefore, it is preferable to perform transmission with the antenna having the better reception condition to the wireless device to be communicated during radio wave transmission.

  In FIG. 1B, when the notebook PC 10 is placed vertically as a tablet computer, that is, when the short side in the longitudinal direction of the display unit 12 is used in front of the operator, the AT 1 AT2 is located in front of the operator although it is in a remote position. Therefore, in this case (hereinafter referred to as “Case 2”), the SAR allowable value and the influence of electromagnetic waves on the human body are taken into consideration, and the transmission is forcibly switched to transmission by AT1 when transmitting radio waves.

  It should be noted that AT 1 is used for a wireless device to communicate at the time of radio wave transmission in case 2. In addition, since no radio wave is emitted when radio waves are received, one of the two antennas is switched to the antenna with the better reception status for the wireless device to communicate.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the display unit 12 of the notebook computer of the case 2 in which the notebook computer 10 of the case 1 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction, the characters or images are in a direction that is easy for the operator to see. A system that can be switched is adopted. This may be arbitrarily switched by the operator, or may be a system that automatically switches with an angle sensor.

  In FIG. 2, the wireless communication control unit 22 uses the notebook PC 10 in the usage mode (usual notebook computer usage mode and tablet computer usage mode) and the usage angle in the tablet computer usage mode (case 1, case 2). The wireless communication module 21 is controlled to transmit, receive, and stop.

  In addition, the wireless communication module 21 performs transmission of transmission data before modulation at the time of transmission and reception data after demodulation at the time of reception to other data processing blocks in the notebook computer 10.

  Further, the wireless communication control unit 22 determines the transmission / reception, the usage pattern of the normal / tablet type computer, and the usage angle of the tablet type, and sets the antenna so as to minimize the SAR value for the operator. Controls switching between AT1 and AT2.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the switching control of the wireless communication antenna of the present invention at each angle when used as a tablet computer.

  1A and 1B (Case 1 and Case 2), in addition to the usage mode (hereinafter referred to as “Case 3”) in the case where the case 1 is rotated by 90 degrees in the clockwise counterclockwise direction and 180 degrees from the case 1 This is an expanded form of use in the case of rotation (hereinafter referred to as “case 4”).

  In case 3 in FIG. 3A, AT2 is located away from the operator, but AT1 is located in front of the operator. Therefore, in the case 3, contrary to the case 1, the influence of the SAR allowable value and the electromagnetic wave on the human body is taken into consideration, and the wireless transmission is forcibly switched to the transmission by the antenna AT2.

  In case 4 in FIG. 3A, both AT1 and AT2 are in front of the operator. Therefore, at the time of transmission, radio wave transmission is stopped (OFF) in the usage mode of the tablet computer. In this case 4, the wireless communication module is operated only for reception. Note that it is possible to perform personal computer operations such as normal character input and image processing.

  Further, in this case 4, instead of stopping the transmission of radio waves, it is possible to restrict the use in this case by preventing the display direction from being changed to a direction that is easy for the operator to see.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating antenna switching control in a usage form of a tablet computer during transmission. In addition, at the time of reception, reception is performed while switching antennas with good reception conditions as needed. However, generally, when the antenna approaches the human body, the reception condition of radio waves deteriorates, so in cases 1 and 3, the transmission antenna and the reception antenna match.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, even in the case of a tablet computer, the computer operator's hand or part of the body is kept as close as possible to the antenna, which is a source of electromagnetic waves harmful to the human body, or is not touched. It is possible to provide a radio control apparatus configured as described above.

  3A, two antennas are arranged at the left and right ends above the display unit 12. However, the antennas may be arranged at the lower ends, the center of the left and right ends, or four corners. Radio waves can be transmitted even in the case 4 if they are arranged at the center of the left and right ends or at the four corners.

  Furthermore, in the case of a wireless module that transmits with only one antenna, a method of stopping the transmission of radio waves when the antenna approaches the human body or preventing the use of the antenna approaching the human body is also considered. It is done.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the switching control of the wireless communication antenna of the present invention at each angle when used as a form of a tablet computer when only one antenna is AT1. The difference from FIG. 3A is that only one antenna AT1 is mounted.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating antenna switching control in the usage mode of the tablet computer during transmission. The difference from FIG. 3B is that the radio wave transmission of the antenna is also stopped in the case 3 as in the case 4.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a restriction on displayable directions when used as a tablet computer in the case where only one antenna is AT1. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating antenna switching control in a usage form of a tablet computer during transmission.

  In FIG. 5A, the display unit operates only when the display is in the directions of 0 degrees and 90 degrees, and display in the directions of -90 degrees and 180 degrees is prohibited. Thereby, the display unit is not displayed in the direction in which the antenna approaches the operator, and the antenna AT1 is prevented from being used in the direction in which the operator approaches the operator.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state of the antenna in the usage pattern of the tablet computer at the time of transmission. In FIG. 5B, the display unit operates in cases 1 and 2, but the display unit stops operating in cases 3 and 4. Thus, by prohibiting the display direction in the direction in which the antenna approaches the human body, the antenna AT1 can always transmit. By doing so, the operator can be restricted from using the computer in the case 3 and the case 4 without suddenly stopping the radio wave transmission in the direction in which the antenna AT1 approaches the operator.

  The wireless control device according to the present invention prevents a computer operator's hand or part of the body from being brought as close as possible to or touching an antenna that is a source of electromagnetic waves harmful to the human body even in a tablet computer. Therefore, it is useful as a wireless control device or the like that performs switching control of a wireless communication antenna of a portable information processing device having a wireless communication function.

[A] is a diagram showing the relationship between a personal computer main body when used as a tablet computer of the present invention and two antenna transmissions, and [B] is a personal computer main body when used as a tablet computer of the present invention. And figure showing the relationship between the transmission of two antennas Configuration diagram of radio control device for controlling switching of radio communication antenna [A] is a diagram for explaining switching control of the wireless communication antenna of the present invention at each angle when used as a form of a tablet computer, and [B] is an antenna switching in a use form of the tablet computer at the time of transmission. Diagram showing control [A] is a diagram for explaining switching control of the wireless communication antenna of the present invention at each angle when used as a form of a tablet computer, and [B] is an antenna switching in a use form of the tablet computer at the time of transmission. Diagram showing control [A] is a diagram for explaining a display direction permitted and prohibited for use when used as a form of a tablet computer, and [B] is a diagram showing an antenna state in a use form of the tablet computer at the time of transmission. External view of a conventional laptop Figure showing a conventional laptop computer and wireless communication antenna

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Notebook personal computer 11 Notebook personal computer main body 12 Display part 171,172 Antenna 20 Wireless control apparatus 21 Wireless module 22 Wireless communication control part

Claims (12)

A wireless control device for a portable information device having a wireless communication function for communicating with another wireless device using one or more antennas,
A wireless communication module that performs wireless transmission and reception with the other wireless devices;
A wireless communication control unit for controlling radio wave transmission and reception and operation stop of the wireless communication module;
With
In the wireless communication control unit,
A radio control apparatus for controlling to stop radio wave transmission by the antenna disposed at a position where an operator is likely to touch a part of a human body. The antenna is a plurality of antennas;
In the wireless communication control unit,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein radio transmission is performed using an antenna arranged at a position farthest from an operator who operates the portable information device among the plurality of antennas. The antenna is a plurality of antennas;
In the wireless communication control unit,
2. The radio wave transmission according to claim 1, wherein, when the wireless communication module transmits, radio waves are transmitted using an antenna disposed at a position where the operator is least likely to touch a part of the human body among the plurality of antennas. Wireless control device. The portable information device includes:
A tablet type with an input function in a rectangular display unit, or a portable type that has an input function in a rectangular display unit and can be used as a tablet type by folding the display unit over the portable information device body. Type information equipment,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of antennas are arranged in a casing at a corner of the display unit. The portable information device having a rectangular display unit,
A display direction conversion function that can change the display direction to an easy-to-see direction regardless of the long side or short side of the display unit in front of the operator,
Among the plurality of antennas arranged in the casing at the corner of the display unit,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein radio waves are transmitted to the side of the display unit close to the operator by switching to an antenna disposed near the side facing the side. The portable information device includes:
Instead of stopping transmission from an antenna arranged near the side of the display unit close to the operator, the display direction of the display unit is limited so that it cannot be changed to a direction that is easy for the operator to view. The radio control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the radio control apparatus cannot be used in the direction. The antenna is a single antenna,
In the wireless communication control unit,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein transmission of radio waves is stopped when the one antenna is closest to a part of a human body of an operator who operates the portable information device. The portable information device includes:
It further comprises a rectangular display,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one antenna is arranged in a casing at a corner of the display unit. The portable information device having the display unit includes:
A display direction conversion function that can change the display direction to an easy-to-see direction regardless of the long side or short side of the display unit in front of the operator,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein radio wave transmission is stopped when the one antenna is located on a side of the display unit close to the operator. The antenna is a single antenna,
In the wireless communication control unit,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one antenna prevents an operation in a direction closest to a part of a human body of an operator who operates the portable information device. The portable information device includes:
It further comprises a rectangular display,
The radio control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the one antenna is disposed in a casing at a corner of the display unit. The portable information device having the display unit includes:
A display direction conversion function that can change the display direction to an easy-to-see direction regardless of the long side or short side of the display unit in front of the operator,
When there is the one antenna inside the side of the display unit close to the operator, the display direction is restricted so that it cannot be changed to an easy-to-see direction so that the operator cannot use in this direction. The radio control apparatus according to claim 11.

Images