JP2015119211A - Information terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal device capable of starting wireless communication in a short period of time in performing the wireless communication with a mobile information terminal at short range.SOLUTION: An information terminal device for performing wireless communication with a mobile information terminal comprises: terminal access detection means for detecting access of the mobile information terminal; a switch for allowing a received RF signal to pass through or blocking the RF signal; and reception signal processing means for demodulating the RF signal passing through the switch. The terminal access detection means sets the switch into a blocking state when the mobile information terminal is not close; and sets the switch into a passage state when detecting access of the mobile information terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device that performs wireless data transmission at a short distance from a portable information terminal.

  The 60 GHz band, which can use a wide band of 9 GHz without requiring a radio license in various countries around the world, has been attracting attention for short-range wireless communication using this, and standardization and practical application as a wireless LAN and wireless PAN method is recommended. It has been. As one of its use forms, contactless high-speed wireless transmission in a form in which a large-sized data file is contactlessly transferred between a portable information terminal and an information kiosk apparatus has been studied.

  The most important condition in contactless high-speed wireless transmission is that the time required for establishing a communication link is short. Wireless communication link establishment and data file transmission must be completed within a short period of time when the user is holding the portable information terminal over an information kiosk device. In the IC card system that uses the shortwave band and is used for automatic ticket gates for transportation facilities, a MAC (medium access control) system for carrying out wireless communication in a short time is uniquely developed and implemented.

  Communication LSIs compliant with IEEE 802.11ad and WiGig (Wireless Gigabit), which are 60 GHz band wireless LAN systems, have been developed and sold. As the demand grows in the future, the number of shipments of these communication LSIs is expected to increase and the selling price is expected to decrease. Therefore, not only indoor wireless access but also the adoption of these communication LSIs for manufacturing the wireless communication function of the information kiosk device can reduce the development cost and production cost of the information kiosk device.

  When there is interference that the information kiosk device receives from another 60 GHz band communication system, the kiosk device uses a commercially available LSI for millimeter-wave wireless communication such as IEEE802.11ad communication LSI, and the kiosk device performs medium access control (CSMA / When CA) is employed, it takes time to establish a link due to collision avoidance.

  CSMA / CA is always implemented if the communication LSI on which the IEEE802.11ad MAC is also mounted is used as it is. Therefore, when no RF (radio frequency) signal is received from another 60 GHz band wireless system, It is estimated that it takes 600 msec.

  However, if an RF signal is received from another 60 GHz radio system, that is, if there is interference, the information kiosk device enters a standby state by the CSMA / CA function (see Non-Patent Document 1). The time required to start communication is far longer than the above. As a result, the time from when the user brings the portable information terminal close to the information kiosk device until communication is started increases. For example, when the communication link is established within 1 sec, it is difficult to satisfy this condition.

IEEE Std 802.11-2012, "9.3 DCF", pp.824-844

  When an information kiosk device according to the prior art is used, the following operation is assumed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the information kiosk apparatus according to the prior art. The antenna 102 of the information kiosk apparatus 10 has a structure in which an RF signal received from the antenna 51 of the wireless communication apparatus 5 of another system is directly input to the reception signal processing unit 101. For this reason, an interference RF signal received from the antenna 51 of the wireless communication device 5 of another system using the same frequency band is processed by the received signal processing unit (FIG. 9A).

  When a commercially available wireless LAN communication LSI is used for the reception signal processing unit 101, the reception signal processing unit 101 is in a standby state for a certain time by the CSMA / CA function (FIG. 9B). Even if the user brings the portable information terminal 2 that wants to communicate with the information kiosk device 10 in this state, communication cannot be started until the standby state is canceled (FIG. 9C). Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a long time to transmit the data file using the information kiosk device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an information terminal device capable of starting wireless communication in a short time when performing wireless communication with a portable information terminal at a short distance. Objective.

  The present invention is an information terminal device that performs wireless communication with a portable information terminal, a terminal proximity detection unit that detects proximity of the portable information terminal, a switch that passes or blocks a received RF signal, and a signal that passes through the switch Received signal processing means for demodulating the RF signal, wherein the terminal proximity detecting means detects the proximity of the portable information terminal by setting the switch to a cutoff state when the portable information terminal is not in proximity. In this case, the switch is set to a passing state.

  In the present invention, the terminal proximity detection unit includes an imaging unit that captures an image around the information terminal device, and the portable information terminal approaches by estimating a position of the portable information terminal based on the captured image It is characterized by detecting whether or not.

  In the present invention, the terminal proximity detection unit includes an imaging unit that captures a three-dimensional image around the information terminal device, and estimates a distance from the portable information terminal based on the captured three-dimensional image. Determining that the portable information terminal is not in proximity when the distance is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determining that the portable information terminal is in proximity when the estimated distance is equal to or less than the threshold. Features.

  In the present invention, the terminal proximity detecting means includes distance measuring means for measuring a distance to the portable information terminal around the information terminal device, and the portable information is obtained when the measured distance is equal to or larger than a preset threshold. It is determined that the terminal is not in proximity, and it is determined that the portable information terminal is in proximity when the estimated distance is equal to or less than the threshold.

  In the present invention, the terminal proximity detection means includes reception level detection means for constantly detecting the reception level of the RF signal, and the portable information terminal is in proximity when the reception level is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value. When the reception level is equal to or lower than the threshold, it is determined that the portable information terminal is not in proximity.

  The present invention is characterized in that the antenna for receiving the RF signal provided in the information terminal device and the switch are configured by an antenna for making a gain variable.

  According to the present invention, when the portable information terminal comes close to the portable information terminal, it is possible to prevent the portable information terminal from receiving an RF signal that becomes a shield and interferes with it. An effect is obtained that it is possible to prevent a large amount of time from starting.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus by a prior art.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an information terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, an information kiosk apparatus that functions as an information terminal apparatus will be described. The information kiosk device uploads and loads a data file from the portable information terminal held by the user to the information kiosk device, or downloads the data file from the information kiosk device to the portable information communication terminal held by the user. At that time, the portable information terminal and the information kiosk device are arranged close to each other by the user, and short-range wireless communication is performed.

  In this way, the portable information terminal is close to the information kiosk device when the communication is performed, and the antenna of the information kiosk device is blocked by the casing of the portable information terminal, so that the wireless communication device other than the portable information terminal The line-of-sight channel is blocked. If the information kiosk device has a sufficiently narrow antenna beam width and the information kiosk device cannot receive any RF signal arriving from a direction that cannot be shielded by the portable information terminal (below the reception sensitivity), a wireless device other than the portable information terminal The RF signal transmitted by the communication device is not received. That is, when an RF signal is used as a RF signal and a high-frequency high frequency wave such as a 60 GHz band is used and an antenna having high directivity is used as an antenna of an information kiosk device, an RF signal transmitted by a wireless communication device other than a portable information terminal Is not received, that is, there is no interference.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. The information kiosk apparatus 1 includes a terminal proximity sensor 11 that detects the proximity of a portable information terminal, a reception RF switch 12 that passes or blocks a received RF (radio frequency) signal, and a received signal processor that demodulates the received RF signal. 13 and an antenna 14. For example, other 60 GHz wireless communication devices such as IEEE 802.11ad compatible wireless LAN communication devices, wireless HD compatible communication devices, and other fixed wireless access communication devices are installed in the vicinity, and an RF signal is transmitted to the antenna 14 of the information kiosk device 1. Is in a state that can reach. Assuming that a commercially available IEEE802.11ad-compliant communication LSI is mounted on the reception signal processing unit 13, the information kiosk device 1 is subject to interference by the CSMA / CA function, that is, from other 60 GHz wireless communication devices. When an RF signal is received, a standby state is entered, and after a certain period of back-off (standby time), communication is started.

  Therefore, when the portable information terminal is not close to the information kiosk device, the terminal proximity sensor 11 determines that the portable information terminal is not close to the information kiosk device, and sets the reception RF signal switch 12 to the cutoff state. As a result, the received RF signal is not input to the received signal processing unit 13. On the other hand, when the portable information terminal approaches the information kiosk device 1, the terminal proximity sensor 11 determines that the portable information terminal is in the proximity of the information kiosk device 1, sets the reception RF signal switch 12 to the passing state, and receives the information. The received RF signal is input to the received signal processing unit 13. By such switching of the RF reception signal, it is possible to prevent the interfered RF signal from the other 60 GHz wireless communication apparatus from being input to the reception signal processing unit 13 and the information kiosk apparatus 1 performing the standby operation.

  Next, the operation of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. 2-5 is a figure which shows operation | movement of the information kiosk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. A wireless communication device 3 of another system, for example, a communication device such as an IEEE802.11ad compatible wireless LAN access point or a terminal, is installed in the vicinity, and an RF signal transmitted by them, that is, an interference RF signal is transmitted to the antenna 14 of the information kiosk device 1. Suppose that it is in a state of reaching. In this state, the terminal proximity sensor 11 determines that the portable information terminal 2 is not in proximity and turns off the reception RF signal switch. Here, it is assumed that the portable information terminal 2 corresponding to communication with the information kiosk apparatus 1 approaches the information kiosk apparatus 1 by the user's hand. The terminal proximity sensor 11 determines that the portable information terminal 2 is in proximity and turns on the reception RF signal switch 14 so that the RF signal reaching the antenna 14 is input to the reception signal processing unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

  Since the portable information terminal 2 is installed in close proximity so as to shield the antenna 14 of the information kiosk device 1 from the outside, the interference RF signal reaches the antenna 14 of the information kiosk device 1 when it is sufficiently close. It is not possible. On the other hand, an RF signal transmitted by the portable information terminal 2, that is, a desired RF signal, stably reaches the antenna 14 of the information kiosk apparatus 1. Then, the RF signal is input from the antenna 14 to the reception signal processing unit via the reception RF signal switch 12 that is turned on, and the information kiosk apparatus 1 and the portable information terminal 2 start to establish a communication link. After establishing the communication link, the data file is transmitted (see FIG. 3).

  Next, when the execution of the data file transmission is completed, the user moves the portable information terminal 2 away from the information kiosk device 1. At this time, the terminal proximity sensor 11 detects that the portable information terminal 2 has been released from the proximity state, and changes the reception RF signal switch 14 to the off state (see FIG. 4).

  As described above, even if the state where the interference RF signal is shielded and does not reach the antenna 14 of the information kiosk device 1 is released by operating, any received RF signal reaching the antenna 14 is not received by the reception signal processing unit 13. Since the input is not performed, the information kiosk apparatus 1 does not enter the standby state by the CSMA / CA function even if an interference signal arrives (see FIG. 5).

Second Embodiment
Next, an information terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information kiosk apparatus 1 that functions as an information terminal apparatus in the embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in the apparatus shown in FIG. The apparatus shown in this figure is different from the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in that the terminal proximity sensor 11 includes a camera 111 and an image processing unit 112. The camera 111 captures an image around the antenna 14 constantly or periodically. The image processing unit 112 detects whether the portable information terminal 2 is approaching by processing an image captured by the camera 111. The camera 111 may be a camera capable of taking a three-dimensional image, and the three-dimensional image data detects the distance between the portable information terminal 2 and the information kiosk device 1 by the image processing unit 112 and the movement of the portable information terminal 2 approaching. Then, the approach of the portable information terminal may be determined.

  As a determination criterion at this time, for example, there is a method of determining that the mobile phone is in the proximity state when the distance between the portable information terminal 2 and the information kiosk apparatus 1 is smaller than a preset threshold. Alternatively, a method may be used in which the speed at which the portable information terminal 2 approaches is detected, and the determination is performed by predicting the time when the distance takes a value smaller than the threshold value.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an information terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information kiosk apparatus 1 that functions as an information terminal apparatus in the embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in the apparatus shown in FIG. The apparatus shown in this figure is different from the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in that the terminal proximity sensor 11 includes a distance measuring unit 113 and a signal processing unit 114. The distance measuring unit 113 is configured by means capable of measuring a distance to an object such as a radar, and monitors the portable information terminal 2 close to the information kiosk apparatus 1 constantly or periodically. The signal processing unit 114 processes the distance information (ranging information) of the portable information terminal 2 acquired by the ranging unit 113 to determine whether the portable information terminal 2 is approaching. The distance measuring unit 113 only needs to have a function of measuring a distance from an object such as a sound wave radar or sonar using a sound wave, a radar using an electromagnetic wave, or the like by a wave.

  As a determination criterion at this time, for example, there is a method of determining that the mobile phone is in the proximity state when the distance between the portable information terminal 2 and the information kiosk apparatus 1 is smaller than a preset threshold. Alternatively, a method may be used in which the speed at which the portable information terminal 2 approaches is detected from the Doppler effect or time differential of distance measurement information, and the determination is performed by predicting the time when the detection distance takes a value smaller than the threshold value. Good. In addition to the above, as the distance measuring unit 113, an induction (magnetic field) type, a capacitance type, or an infrared type may be used.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, an information terminal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described. Since the information kiosk apparatus that functions as the information terminal apparatus in the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, detailed description thereof is omitted here. The information kiosk apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment is partially different in configuration of the reception RF signal switch 12. The reception RF signal switch 12 may be a switch that turns on or off a signal in the RF frequency band, or may be a variable gain amplifier. The reception RF signal switch 12 may be integrated with the antenna 14 so as to switch between a state in which the antenna gain is high and a state in which the antenna gain is very low. In this case, a system using a receiving antenna that makes the gain variable may be used. In this way, the reception RF signal switch 12 can be implemented in the same manner as the on / off switching operation.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, an information terminal device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is described. In the above-described embodiment, the interference RF signal reception prevention by the reception RF signal switch 12 is shown. However, in order to more reliably shield the reception of the interference RF signal, the information kiosk apparatus 1 is configured as shown in FIG. It is effective to do. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the information kiosk apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

  The far-field radiation pattern of the information kiosk apparatus 1 is a narrow beam, and a radio wave shielding object (for example, a roof) is installed in the antenna radiation direction to shield the line-of-sight communication path with the other 60 GHz band system 4. Further, in order to prevent a communication path using this reflection from being formed between the information kiosk device 1 and the other surface of the case due to reflection on the case surface or the like, Is installed. Then, antenna directivity is applied such that the far-field radiation pattern of the antenna is a narrow beam and the beam direction is tilted toward the inner wall surface of the housing.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, an information terminal device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is described. Since the configuration of the information terminal device according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, detailed description thereof is omitted here. However, some of the functions are different as described below. The terminal proximity sensor 11 constantly detects the reception level of an RF signal such as a beacon signal transmitted from the mobile information terminal 2, and when the reception level is equal to or higher than a preset threshold, the mobile information terminal 2 is connected to the information terminal device 1. If it is determined that the mobile information terminal 2 is close, and the reception level is equal to or lower than the threshold, it may be determined that the mobile information terminal 2 is not close to the information terminal device 1.

  As described above, the information kiosk apparatus 1 has a CSMA / CA function because the mobile information terminal 2 does not receive an RF signal that becomes a shield and interferes when the mobile information terminal 2 approaches. Even when the communication LSI is mounted and manufactured, it can be prevented that it takes a long time to start communication.

  Also, with this configuration, interference can be prevented and high-speed link establishment can be realized. In addition, even if the device is configured using a commercially available IEEE802.11 wireless LAN communication LSI, there is no problem of waiting for communication and the link can be established in a short time. Therefore, an information kiosk device is developed and produced at low cost. can do.

  The information kiosk device 1 in the above-described embodiment may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included and a program held for a certain period of time. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. It may be realized using hardware such as PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described with reference to drawings, the said embodiment is only the illustration of this invention, and it is clear that this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. is there. Therefore, additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the components may be made without departing from the technical idea and scope of the present invention.

  When performing wireless communication with a portable information terminal at a short distance, it can be applied to an application indispensable to start wireless communication in a short time.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information kiosk apparatus, 2 ... Portable information terminal, 11 ... Terminal proximity sensor, 12 ... Reception RF signal switch, 13 ... Reception signal processing part, 14 ... Antenna, 111. ..Camera, 112 ... Image processing unit, 113 ... Distance measuring unit, 114 ... Signal processing unit

Claims (6)

An information terminal device that performs wireless communication with a portable information terminal,
Terminal proximity detection means for detecting the proximity of the portable information terminal;
A switch that passes or blocks the received RF signal;
Receiving signal processing means for demodulating the RF signal that has passed through the switch,
The terminal proximity detection means includes
An information terminal device, wherein the switch is set in a blocking state when the portable information terminal is not in proximity, and the switch is set in a passing state when proximity of the portable information terminal is detected. The terminal proximity detection means includes
An image pickup means for picking up an image around the information terminal device is provided, and it is detected whether the portable information terminal is close by estimating a position of the portable information terminal based on the picked-up image. The information terminal device according to claim 1. The terminal proximity detection means includes
An imaging unit that captures a three-dimensional image around the information terminal device, estimates a distance from the portable information terminal based on the captured three-dimensional image, and the estimated distance is equal to or greater than a preset threshold 2. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the portable information terminal is not in proximity and the portable information terminal is determined to be in proximity when the estimated distance is equal to or less than the threshold value. apparatus. The terminal proximity detection means includes
Ranging means for measuring the distance to the portable information terminal around the information terminal device, and determining that the portable information terminal is not in proximity when the measured distance is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and estimating The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal is determined to be close when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold. The terminal proximity detection means includes
A reception level detecting means for constantly detecting the reception level of the RF signal; when the reception level is equal to or higher than a preset threshold value, it is determined that the portable information terminal is in proximity, and the reception level is equal to or lower than the threshold value 2. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal is determined not to be in proximity when   The information terminal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna that receives the RF signal provided in the information terminal apparatus and the switch are configured by an antenna that makes a gain variable.

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