JP2016059162A - Information communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication device capable of non-contact communication that reduces an input operation burden on a user related to setting of a communication function and reduces power consumption.SOLUTION: An information communication device comprises: a power reception unit for receiving power supplied from the outside; a power reception monitoring unit for monitoring whether the power is being received or not; a non-contact communication unit for reading and writing information from and in a non-contact IC tag capable of non-contact communication; a setting information reception unit for receiving setting information stored in the non-contact IC tag in advance; and a control unit. After the power reception monitoring unit confirms that the reception of the power is started, the non-contact communication unit activates non-contact communication with the non-contact IC tag, and receives the setting information transmitted from the non-contact IC tag by the non-contact communication. The control unit performs setting to make a prescribed communication function usable on the basis of the received setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication device, and more particularly to an information communication device having a charging function and capable of non-contact and short-range wireless communication.

Today, mobile terminals having a wireless communication function such as mobile phones and smartphones are used.
Such a portable terminal mainly includes a rechargeable battery. However, when the remaining battery level is low, the portable terminal is placed on an installation table called a cradle where power can be supplied. It is necessary to connect the power adapter and charge the rechargeable battery.
A cradle having a communication function is also used. By placing the mobile terminal on the cradle, data communication can be performed with a personal computer or another communication device via the cradle.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a function of charging a secondary battery of an electronic device by placing the electronic device, a function of performing near field communication (NFC) with the electronic device, and a communication line such as the Internet. Via the information management device storing the update data such as software of the electronic device, and the update data downloaded from the information management device during the charging of the secondary battery via near field communication (NFC) There has been proposed a charging device that transmits data to an electronic device using the.

In addition, portable terminals that perform wireless communication using a wireless LAN and portable terminals that perform near field communication such as headsets and printers and Bluetooth are used, but either communication function can be used. In order to do so, it is necessary to make communication settings in advance with other electronic devices that communicate with the mobile terminal.
In order to perform this communication setting, the user directly inputs communication setting information on the mobile terminal side, or the mobile terminal and the electronic device of the communication partner are brought close to each other by near field communication (NFC). Transmission / reception of communication setting information is performed.

JP 2013-172465 A

For example, when a mobile terminal and a headset are connected by wireless communication using Bluetooth, so-called pairing processing is required. On the mobile terminal side, information (such as a PIN code) registered in the headset of the communication partner is used. The user had to input manually.
Alternatively, although pairing can be performed using near field communication (NFC), the user performs an input operation for setting a mode in which the NFC function is enabled by bringing the mobile terminal and the headset close to each other. There was a need to do.
As described above, the input operation performed by the user in order to enable communication between the two apparatuses takes time and effort, and the burden on the user's input operation is large.

In addition, when performing pairing using NFC, it is possible to simplify the input operation by always enabling the NFC function in each of the mobile terminal and the headset, but in order to enable the NFC function Will consume power, and if you want to use a headset, you may end up with a rechargeable battery that can't communicate. Therefore, it is not preferable to always enable the NFC function in order to reduce power consumption.
Therefore, it is desired to further simplify the setting of setting information for enabling communication between two communication devices to reduce the input operation burden on the user and to reduce power consumption.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and communication is performed by a user performing daily operations without performing time-consuming input operations such as setting information input. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication apparatus capable of setting function setting information.

  The present invention reads and writes information to and from a power receiving unit that receives power supplied from the outside, a power reception monitoring unit that monitors whether the power is received, and a non-contact IC tag that can perform non-contact communication. A non-contact communication unit that performs the setting, a setting information receiving unit that receives setting information stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag, and a control unit, and the power reception monitoring unit starts receiving power. After confirming, the non-contact communication unit activates the non-contact communication with the non-contact IC tag, receives the setting information transmitted from the non-contact IC tag by the non-contact communication, the control The information communication apparatus is characterized in that the unit performs setting to use a predetermined communication function based on the received setting information.

In the present invention, the non-contact communication is short-range wireless communication that enables transmission and reception of information when the non-contact IC tag and the information communication device are disposed within a predetermined distance. .
The present invention includes a rechargeable battery charged with the received power, and activates the non-contact communication by the non-contact communication unit when receiving power for charging the rechargeable battery. To do.
According to this, when power for charging the rechargeable battery is received, non-contact communication is activated, so that the power consumption of the information communication device is reduced by limiting the period during which non-contact communication is possible. be able to.

In the present invention, the contactless IC tag is formed in a cradle capable of supplying power for charging, and the power receiving unit is supplied from the cradle when the information communication device is placed on the cradle. It is characterized by receiving power.
According to this, when the user performs an operation to place the information communication device on the cradle, power is supplied from the cradle to the information communication device, and after confirming the start of power reception, based on the received setting information. Since the setting for enabling the communication function is performed, the user does not need to perform a special input operation for setting the setting information other than the above-described operation, and the burden of the input operation on the user can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the power receiving unit includes at least one of a power receiving terminal that receives power supplied from the cradle by contact-type power feeding and a coil that receives power by non-contact power feeding.
The present invention is characterized in that the setting information is setting information for making it possible to use a communication function using wireless communication including at least a wireless LAN and Bluetooth.

The present invention further includes a storage unit that stores setting information in advance, and a setting information transmission unit that transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the non-contact IC tag, wherein the power reception monitoring unit includes the power After confirming that power reception has started, the non-contact communication unit activates non-contact communication with the non-contact IC tag, and the setting information stored in the storage unit by the non-contact communication is stored in the storage unit. It transmits to a non-contact IC tag, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to this, after confirming that power reception has started, non-contact communication is activated and setting information is transmitted to the non-contact IC tag. Therefore, the burden of the user's input operation can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Reduction can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, after confirming that power reception has been started, the non-contact communication is activated and the setting information is received from the non-contact IC tag, so that the communication function can be used. In addition, it is possible to reduce the burden of the user's input operation for setting the communication function, and it is possible to reduce power consumption by limiting the period during which contactless communication is possible.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of an information communication apparatus of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of Example 1 of the usage condition of the information communication apparatus and cradle of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of reading and writing of setting information using NFC of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of Example 2 of the usage condition of the information communication apparatus and cradle of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of one Example of the setting information of this invention. It is a flowchart of 1st Example of the reading process of the setting information of this invention. It is a flowchart of 2nd Example of the reading process of the setting information of this invention. It is a flowchart of one Example of the writing process of the setting information of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of specific embodiment (Example 1) of the information communication after the setting information setting of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of specific embodiment (Example 2) of the information communication after the setting information setting of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of specific embodiment (Example 3) of the information communication after the setting information setting of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of specific embodiment (Example 4) of the information communication after the setting information setting of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by description of the following examples.
<Configuration of information communication device and cradle>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of an information communication apparatus of the present invention and a cradle (charging stand).
The information communication device 1 is a device having functions for creating, editing, displaying, acquiring, transmitting and receiving various contents such as characters, graphics, images, and voices. For example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop computer, and the like Correspond to a portable communication terminal (hereinafter also referred to as a portable terminal or TE).
In the case of a communication terminal having portability, a rechargeable battery is mainly used as a drive power source. However, a dry battery or a power generation mechanism that generates power by receiving sunlight may be provided.
The cradle 2 is a table on which the information communication device (TE) 1 is placed. For example, the cradle 2 includes a frame portion that fixes and installs the TE1, and has a function of charging the rechargeable battery of the TE1 when the TE1 is placed. (Hereinafter, also simply referred to as CR).

As shown in FIG. 2C, which will be described later, when the information communication device (TE) 1 is placed on the cradle (CR) 2, the power receiving unit 17 of the TE 1 supplies power (DC power 6). ). Further, when DC power 6 generated from a commercial power source (for example, AC 100 V) 3 supplied to CR 2 is applied to TE 1, TE 1 rechargeable battery 19 is charged.
Also, in TE1, on the condition that the DC power 6 is received, non-contact communication (NFC) is started between TE1 and CR2, and setting information for executing a predetermined communication function in TE1. Is acquired.
After the setting information is acquired in TE1, a setting is made between TE1 and another communication terminal or cradle so that a predetermined communication function can be used based on the received setting information.
Here, the non-contact communication is communication performed in a state where the two devices are not physically connected, and is communication performed wirelessly in a proximity state where the two devices are separated by a predetermined distance. For example, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, mobile phone, and the like correspond to non-contact communication methods.

Hereinafter, each block of TE1 and CR2 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
The information communication device (TE) 1 mainly includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, a non-contact communication unit 14, an antenna unit 15, a power reception unit 17, a rechargeable battery 19, a power reception monitoring unit 21, and a setting information reception unit. 22, a setting information transmission unit 23 and a storage unit 24 are provided.
The cradle (CR) 2 mainly includes a non-contact tag IC 31, a power supply unit 37, a power transmission unit 38, and an information communication unit 40.
However, when the cradle (CR) 2 does not have a network connection function, the information communication unit 40 may not be provided.

In the information communication device TE1, the control unit 11 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O controller, timer, and the like, and the CPU performs various hardware based on a program stored in the ROM or the like. This is the part that executes the non-contact communication function of TE1 and the like. In addition, as will be described later, based on the received setting information, a setting is made so that a predetermined communication function can be used.
The input unit 12 is a part where the user inputs various information and function selections, and corresponds to a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a setting switch, and the like.
The display unit 13 displays information such as images and characters generated by the function being executed, and corresponds to a CRT, LCD, PDP, organic EL display, or the like.

The non-contact communication unit 14 is a part that performs wireless communication (transmission and reception) with other communication devices by the above-described non-contact communication method. In the following embodiments, information is read from and written to the non-contact IC tag 31 capable of non-contact communication.
In the following embodiments, this non-contact wireless communication is referred to as near field communication (NFC) 5. Near field communication (NFC) enables information communication when the non-contact IC tag 31 and the TE 1 are arranged within a predetermined distance.
The antenna unit 15 is a part that transmits and receives radio waves for performing wireless communication, and mainly uses a coil 16 and an electronic circuit (IC) for entering and exiting the radio waves from the coil.
When the non-contact communication unit 14 transmits data, the coil 16 emits radio waves including the data.
On the other hand, when a radio wave is received by the coil 16, the non-contact communication unit 14 converts the radio wave into a high-frequency current and takes out data included in the radio wave.

The power receiving unit 17 is a part that receives power supplied from the outside, and in the following embodiments, is a part that receives DC power 6 supplied from the cradle CR2. For example, when receiving power by contact-type power feeding, the power receiving terminal 18 is provided.
However, non-contact power supply may be used, and in this case, a coil that can receive power in a non-contact manner and an electronic circuit that rectifies high-frequency current generated in the coil and outputs DC power are provided.
The rechargeable battery 19 is a so-called secondary battery, is a driving power source for operating the TE 1, and is charged by the DC power 6 received by the power receiving unit 17. When the power for charging the rechargeable battery is received, the non-contact communication unit 14 activates non-contact communication.
As the rechargeable battery 19, any rechargeable battery currently on the market such as a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, or a lithium ion battery can be used.

The power reception monitoring unit 21 is a part that monitors whether power is received by the power reception unit 17 (whether or not power is received).
For example, in the case of contact-type power supply that receives power supply through the power receiving terminal 18, it is checked whether or not a DC voltage of a predetermined value or more is applied to the power receiving terminal 18. The power reception monitoring unit 21 determines that power reception has started when a DC voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, and conversely determines that power reception has been completed when the DC voltage has disappeared.
In the present invention, the non-contact communication unit 14 uses the antenna unit 15 to activate the non-contact communication (NFC) 5 after the power reception monitoring unit 21 confirms that power reception has started. This enables non-contact communication (NFC) 5 with the non-contact IC tag 31 of the cradle CR2.
Further, when the power reception is completed, the non-contact communication (NFC) 5 may be stopped. When not receiving power, non-contact communication (NFC) 5 with the non-contact IC tag 31 is not performed.

The setting information receiving unit 22 is a part that receives setting information stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag 31, and receives the setting information transmitted from the non-contact IC tag 31 of the cradle CR2 by the NFC 5 after the start of power reception. It is a part to do.
That is, the radio wave received by the coil 16 of TE1 is converted into a high-frequency current, and the high-frequency current is analyzed, whereby setting information 25 as digital data is acquired and stored in the storage unit 24.
The setting information receiving unit 22 is a configuration necessary when the TE 1 functions mainly as a reader that reads information stored in the non-contact IC tag 31.

The setting information transmission unit 23 is a part that transmits the setting information 25 stored in advance in the storage unit 24 to the non-contact IC tag 31. After the start of power reception, the NFC 5 sends a predetermined information to the non-contact IC tag 31 of the cradle CR2. This is a part for transmitting the setting information 25.
That is, the setting information 25 stored in advance in the storage unit 24 is read, and a radio wave including the setting information 25 is emitted by the NFC 5 via the non-contact communication unit 14 and the antenna unit 15.
When the cradle CR2 receives this radio wave, the setting information 25 is written in the non-contact IC tag 31.
The setting information transmission unit 23 is a configuration necessary when the TE 1 mainly functions as a writer for writing information to the non-contact IC tag 31.

Therefore, for example, when TE1 has only a function as a reader, it is necessary to provide the setting information receiving unit 22, but the setting information transmitting unit 23 may not be provided.
When TE1 is used as a reader and writer, a setting information receiving unit 22 and a setting information transmitting unit 23 are provided, and the user inputs a reader or writer switching setting input using the input unit 12, whereby the reader It may be possible to set which function of the writer or the writer is used.

  The power reception monitoring unit 21, the setting information receiving unit 22, and the setting information transmitting unit 23 described above can be configured by hardware, but are software functional blocks, and the CPU is mainly stored in a ROM or the like. Each function can be realized by operating the logic circuit based on the program.

The storage unit 24 is a part that stores information and programs necessary for executing the functions of the TE1, and a storage device such as a semiconductor storage element such as a ROM, a RAM, or a flash memory, an HDD, or an SSD is used.
The storage unit 24 stores the setting information 25 as described above. The setting information 25 is information for enabling wireless communication between the TE 1 and a headset, a portable printer, a scanner, and other communication devices, for example.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the setting information.
Here, three pieces of setting information (SD01 to SD03) are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this.
SD01 is setting information for performing wireless communication with the headset via Bluetooth. For example, item = “Bluetooth sparing”, Bluetooth address = “11: 22: 33: 44: 55: 66”, profile = “ Headset ”and PIN code =“ 0000 ”.
SD02 is setting information for performing wireless LAN communication with a network connection device such as a router. For example, item = “wireless LAN”, SSID = “accesspoint”, encryption method = “WEP”, KEY code = It consists of “0123456789ABCDEF”.
SD03 is setting information for power saving of the power consumption of TE1, and includes, for example, item = “power management”, time to sleep = “3 minutes”, and backlight OFF time = “1 minute”.
In addition, for example, in the case of a mobile phone network, setting information such as an APN name, a user name, and a password is used.

The cradle CR2 in FIG. 1 mainly corresponds to a charging stand that can supply power for charging. The non-contact IC tag 31 is a part that is formed in the cradle CR2 and performs non-contact information communication with the TE 1 by the NFC 5, and mainly includes a storage unit 32, a non-contact communication unit 34, and an antenna unit 35. It consists of.
The CR2 non-contact IC tag 31 may be one, or a plurality of non-contact IC tags 31 may be provided.
Further, the non-contact IC tag 31 may be fixedly formed in the CR 2 so that it cannot be removed, or may be inserted on the back surface of the CR 2 in a detachable form.

The antenna unit 35 is a part that performs near field communication (NFC) with the antenna unit 15 of the TE 1 when the TE 1 is placed on the CR 2 and the TE 1 and the CR 2 are close to each other.
A high-frequency current is generated mainly by a coil that can receive and emit radio waves and is energized by electromagnetic induction of radio waves emitted from the coil 16 of TE1.
The non-contact communication unit 34 is a part that implements NFC 5 based on the short-range wireless communication NFC standard, and transmits / receives setting information to / from the adjacent TE 1.

The storage unit 32 is a part that stores the setting information 33, and a ROM, a flash memory, or the like is used.
For example, as setting information 33, Bluetooth setting information is stored in advance as shown in SD01 of FIG.
When TE1 functioning as a reader is placed on CR2, the non-contact communication unit 34 reads the setting information 33 from the storage unit 32, and transmits the setting information 33 to the TE1 by the NFC 5.
The setting information 33 may be stored in advance as fixed information in the ROM, but may be stored in advance in the flash memory 32 in a rewritable state.
When the flash memory 32 is used, the setting information 33 is set in advance by connecting to a portable terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone or other information processing apparatus using wireless communication via the network 4 such as a wireless LAN or NFC 5. May be written in the flash memory 32.

The power supply unit 37 of the CR2 is a part that receives AC power supplied from the commercial power supply AC3.
Here, the received AC power is converted into DC power 6 that can be supplied to TE1.
The power transmission unit 38 is a part that outputs the converted DC power 6 to the outside, and includes a power transmission terminal 39 when performing contact-type power feeding.
When the power transmission terminal 39 and the power receiving terminal 18 of TE1 come into contact with each other, DC power 6 is supplied to TE1.
In the case of non-contact power feeding, the power transmission unit 38 is mainly composed of a coil and an electronic circuit.
The CR 2 may not receive AC power directly, but may include, for example, a USB terminal and receive DC power 6 from an external personal computer or the like via the USB terminal.

When the cradle CR2 has a communication function, an information communication unit 40 is provided.
The information communication unit 40 is a part that connects the cradle CR to the network 4 by a wired or wireless system, and performs data communication with other information communication terminals via the network 4.
For example, the information communication unit 40 is connected to the wireless LAN 4 and transfers data transmitted from the TE 1 by the NFC 5 to another information communication terminal via the wireless LAN 4.
Further, the data received via the wireless LAN 4 is transferred to the TE 1 by the NFC 5.

<Usage of information communication device and cradle>
(Example 1 of usage pattern)
FIG. 2 shows a schematic external configuration of the information communication apparatus and the cradle and an explanatory diagram of Example 1 of the usage pattern.
In FIG. 2, only the main elements are shown among the components shown in FIG. 1 in order to explain the usage pattern.
FIG. 2A schematically shows a front view and a side view of the information communication apparatus (TE) 1.
Here, the non-contact communication part 14, the antenna part 15, the power receiving terminal 18, and the rechargeable battery 19 are shown among the components of TE1. The power receiving terminal 18 is formed in a state of being exposed on the surface, but the other elements are arranged inside the casing of the TE1 main body.
Further, an input unit 12 and a display unit 13 (not shown) are arranged on the surface of the TE1 casing.

FIG. 2B schematically shows a front view and a side view of the cradle (CR) 2.
Here, the non-contact IC tag 31, the power supply part 37, and the power transmission terminal 39 are shown among the components of CR2. The parts other than the power transmission terminal 39 are arranged inside the casing of the CR2 main body.
The power transmission terminal 39 is formed in a state of being exposed on the surface so as to be fitted to the power reception terminal 18 when the TE1 is placed on the CR2.

FIG. 2C shows a state where TE1 is placed on CR2.
In this mounted state, the DC power 6 is supplied to the rechargeable battery 19 when the power transmission terminal 39 and the power reception terminal 18 come into contact with each other.
Further, in the mounted state, the TE1 antenna unit 15 and the CR2 non-contact IC tag 31 antenna unit 35 are arranged close to each other so as to face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween.
Here, the predetermined distance is a distance that enables communication by NFC5 by electromagnetic induction between the coils forming both antenna portions (15, 35), and may be a distance of about 3 cm or less, for example. .

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of reading and writing of setting information using NFC.
Here, for ease of explanation, TE1 and CR2 are illustrated separately, but actually, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), with TE1 placed on CR2, Setting information is read and written.
FIG. 3A shows a case where the setting information 33 stored in the non-contact IC tag 31 is read by the NFC 5 when the TE 1 performs the function as a reader.
If the user places TE1 on CR2, the power receiving terminal 18 and the power transmission terminal 39 are brought into contact with each other, so that DC power 6 is supplied to TE1.
At this time, when the power reception monitoring unit 21 that monitors the voltage applied to the power receiving terminal 18 confirms that the DC power 6 has been supplied, the noncontact communication unit 14 performs noncontact communication (NFC) for reading information. ).

Specifically, a high frequency current is passed through the coil 16 of the antenna unit 15 to emit radio waves from the coil 16.
When the radio wave emitted from the coil 16 reaches the coil 36 of the non-contact IC tag 31 arranged in proximity, the non-contact IC tag 31 becomes operable, and communication by NFC 5 is possible between TE1 and CR2.
Thereafter, the setting information 33 stored in the non-contact IC tag 31 is read out and transferred to the TE 1 by a procedure as described later in FIG.
When the TE 1 receives the setting information 33, communication setting is performed based on the setting information 33 so that predetermined communication is possible.

FIG. 3B shows a case where the setting information 25 stored in the storage unit 24 of the TE 1 is written to the non-contact IC tag 31 by the NFC 5 when the TE 1 performs the function as a writer. Yes.
Similarly to FIG. 3A, when the power receiving monitoring unit 21 confirms that the DC power 6 has been supplied by placing the TE1 on the CR2, the non-contact communication unit 14 Communication by NFC for writing information is made possible.
That is, after the radio wave is emitted from the coil 16 of the TE1, the non-contact IC tag 31 arranged in the proximity becomes operable, and then communication by the NFC 5 is performed between the TE1 and the CR2, and the storage unit 24 The read setting information 25 is transferred to the CR 2 and stored in the storage unit 32 of the non-contact IC tag 31.

Thus, in both cases of reading and writing of setting information, after confirming that TE1 is placed on CR2 and DC power 6 is supplied from CR2 to TE1, NFC5 is started.
When the NFC 5 is started, the setting information is automatically read and written by transmitting and receiving the setting information based on a predetermined procedure programmed in advance.
According to this, since the setting information is transmitted and received between the TE1 and the CR2 simply by placing the TE1 on the CR2, the user can save time and effort such as inputting the setting information. This can reduce the input operation burden on the user.
In addition, since communication using NFC 5 is performed after the start of supply of DC power 6, it is not necessary to always enable communication by NFC. For example, when DC power 6 is not supplied, NFC 5 is involved. It is not necessary to pass current through the hardware, and the power consumption of TE1 can be reduced.

(Example 2 of usage pattern)
FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of another usage pattern (Example 2) in which DC power is supplied to the information communication apparatus TE of the present invention.
Here, the AC power received from the commercial power source 3 is AC / DC converted using the AC adapter 50 without using the cradle (charging base) 2, the DC power 6 is generated, supplied to the TE 1, and charged. The battery 19 is charged.
The TE1 is provided with a DC power input terminal to which an AC adapter power supply line can be connected.
In this case, the user may perform an operation of connecting the power supply line of the AC adapter to a DC power input terminal (not shown). In the same manner as shown in FIG. 3, after confirming that the DC power 6 is supplied to the TE 1, communication by the NFC 5 is started.
In the case of this embodiment, an IC card 51 incorporating a non-contact IC tag 31 having the same configuration as that provided in the cradle 2 is used.

After connecting the AC adapter 50 to TE1, the user operates the IC card 51 to approach TE1.
As described above, when the AC adapter 50 connected to the commercial power supply 3 is connected to the TE1, it is confirmed that the DC power 6 is supplied to the TE1, and the TE1 is already in a state where communication by the NFC 5 is possible. . In this state, when the user brings the IC card 51 close to the TE 1 to the extent that communication by the NFC 5 is established, between the coil 16 of the TE 1 and the coil 36 of the non-contact IC tag 31 built in the IC card 51. Then, radio waves are guided and setting information is transmitted and received.
Also in the case of the second embodiment, the user can easily and quickly read or write the setting information simply by connecting the AC adapter 50 and bringing the IC card 51 close to the TE 1. The input operation burden can be reduced.

<Setting information read processing>
Here, an example of processing in which the TE 1 reads the setting information 33 stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag 31 will be described.
(First Example of Read Processing)
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a first embodiment of setting information reading processing in the information communication apparatus TE of the present invention.
In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 6, the power reception monitoring unit 22 monitors the state of the power reception unit 17 and checks whether or not the DC power 6 is supplied.
For example, in the case of contact-type power feeding, it is checked whether or not the voltage applied to the power receiving terminal 18 is a predetermined value or more.
In the case of non-contact power feeding, it is checked whether or not induced power is generated in a coil (not shown) and an induced current of a predetermined value or more flows.
As described above, when the user places TE1 on CR2, the power receiving terminal 18 and the power transmitting terminal 39 come into contact with each other, so that the DC power 6 is transmitted from the power transmitting unit 38 of CR2 to the power receiving unit 17 of TE1. Supplied.

If it is determined in step S2 that the DC power 6 is supplied as a result of checking the power reception state, the process proceeds to step S3. Otherwise, step S1 is looped.
In step S3, the power reception monitoring unit 21 notifies the control unit 11 that the power reception state has been established.
In step S4, the control unit 11 instructs the non-contact communication unit 14 to start non-contact communication (NFC5) for reading information.
In response to this instruction, the non-contact communication unit 14 causes a high-frequency current to flow through the coil 16 and output a radio wave from the coil 16 in order to start communication by the NFC 5.
In step S5, the non-contact communication unit 14 transmits a detection command for detecting the non-contact IC tag 31 by the NFC 5.

As shown in FIG. 2 (c), if the TE1 antenna unit 15 and the CR2 antenna unit 35 are arranged to face each other in a non-contact state, the radio waves output from the TE1 coil 16 Received by the coil 36.
An electromotive force is generated by the radio waves received by the coil 36, a current flows through the electronic circuit of the non-contact IC tag 31, and the non-contact communication unit 34 of the CR 2 becomes operable.
That is, the non-contact communication unit 34 can communicate with the NFC 5 and read the setting information 33 stored in the storage unit 32.
Therefore, when the non-contact communication unit 34 of the CR2 confirms that the detection command has been received after becoming operable, the response response to the detection command is transmitted to the TE1 by the NFC 5.

In step S6, the non-contact communication unit 14 checks whether or not a response response has been received.
If a response response is received, the process proceeds to step S7. If not, the process returns to step S5, and the detection command is transmitted again.
Although not shown, if a response command is not received even if a detection command is transmitted a predetermined number of times, or if a response command is not received even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first detection command was transmitted Further, the fact that communication by NFC 5 could not be performed is displayed on the display unit 13, and the process returns to step S1 or the reading process may be terminated.

When a plurality of non-contact IC tags 31 are formed in CR2, the non-contact IC tag from which the response response is transmitted is recognized from the information included in the received response response.
However, when a plurality of response responses are received, for example, the non-contact IC tag 31 that has transmitted the response response received first may be selected as a target for subsequent communication.
Alternatively, when there are a plurality of non-contact IC tags 31 that have transmitted response responses, any non-contact IC tag 31 may be randomly selected as a communication target.

In step S7, the non-contact communication unit 14 transmits a setting information read command by NFC 5 to the non-contact IC tag that has transmitted the response response or the selected non-contact IC tag.
The non-contact IC tag 31 that has received this setting information read command reads the setting information 33 stored in its own storage unit 32 and transmits a read response response including the read setting information 33 by the NFC 5.

In step S8, the non-contact communication unit 14 checks whether or not a read response response has been received.
If received, the process proceeds to step S9. If not, the process returns to step S7, and the read command is transmitted again.
In step S9, contactless communication (NFC) is stopped.
Thereby, the radio wave output from the coil 16 of TE1 is not output, and NFC5 ends. This process can reduce power consumption.
In step S10, the setting information receiving unit 22 confirms the content of the received read response response and checks whether the setting information has been received.
If the setting information is received, the process proceeds to step S11. If not, the series of processes is terminated.

In step S <b> 11, the setting information receiving unit 22 stores the received setting information in the storage unit 24.
Further, the control unit 11 uses the stored setting information to set a communication function, and makes TE1 in a state where communication specified by the setting information is possible.
For example, when the setting information SD01 of FIG. 5 is received, the wireless communication is set in a state in which wireless communication by Bluetooth can be performed between the TE1 and the headset.

Note that after setting the communication function, it may be tested whether or not communication is actually possible by the setting.
For example, in the case of wireless LAN communication, it is possible to confirm whether or not communication is possible by transmitting an echo request packet (PING) and receiving an echo reply packet as a response.
As a result of the test, when communication is not possible, the user may be notified of the communication setting by display or voice.

If the setting information is not received, or if the setting information is received but the communication function test is defective, the process may return to step S1 again and the same processing may be repeated.
Further, in the case where CR2 is provided with a plurality of non-contact IC tags, if it is necessary to obtain setting information from a plurality of non-contact IC tags, the above read processing is performed for each non-contact IC tag. The communication setting corresponding to each setting information may be performed repeatedly.
By executing the reading process described above, after the user performs an operation of placing TE1 on CR2, the communication setting is automatically performed, so that it is possible to reduce the user's input operation burden related to the communication setting.
Also, after TE1 is placed on CR2 and TE1 receives DC power 6, non-contact communication (NFC) is started, and after setting information 33 is read from non-contact IC tag 31, non-contact communication (NFC) ) Is stopped, power consumption for non-contact communication (NFC) can be suppressed.

(Second Example of Read Processing)
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the second embodiment of the setting information reading process in the information communication apparatus TE of the present invention.
Here, even if the setting information read command is retransmitted, if no read response response is received, a flow for notifying the user that an error has occurred in setting information communication and ending the reading process Is shown.
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to steps that perform the same processing as the steps shown in FIG. 6.
In FIG. 7, the processing from step S1 to step S8 is the same as that in FIG. However, in step S7, the number of transmissions of the setting information read command is counted.
In step S8, if a read response is not received, the process proceeds to step S21. If it is received, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S21, it is checked whether or not the number of times the read command has been transmitted has exceeded a preset specified number.
If the number of transmissions is less than the specified number, the process returns to step S7 to retransmit the read command.
On the other hand, if the number of transmissions exceeds the specified number, the process proceeds to step S9.
Steps S9 and S10 are the same as those in FIG. 6. If no setting information is received in step S10, the process proceeds to step S22.
In step S22, since the setting information cannot be received by NFC 5, the user is notified that the non-contact communication (NFC) is abnormal and the communication setting cannot be performed.
This notification may be performed, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 13, outputting an alarm sound, or blinking an LED.

<Setting information writing process>
Here, an example of a process in which the TE 1 writes the setting information 25 stored in advance in the storage unit 24 in the non-contact IC tag 31 will be described.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the setting information writing process in the information communication apparatus TE of the present invention.
The flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized mainly by replacing the steps relating to reading in FIG. 7 with steps relating to writing.
Moreover, the same code | symbol is provided to the step which performs the process similar to the step of the flowchart of FIG.
First, the processes from step S1 to S6 are the same as those in FIG. 7, but in the process of starting non-contact communication (NFC) in step S31, information is written to the non-contact IC tag unlike step S4. An instruction is issued to the non-contact communication unit 14 so as to be possible.

When it is confirmed in step S6 that a response response has been received, the process proceeds to step S32, and a setting information write command is transmitted by NFC5.
Here, the setting information transmission unit 23 reads the setting information 25 stored in advance in the storage unit 24, includes the setting information 25 in the setting information write command, and transmits the setting information write command. To do. At this time, the number of times the write command is transmitted is counted.
When receiving the setting information write command, the non-contact communication unit 34 of CR2 acquires the setting information included in the command and stores it in the storage unit 32. Thereafter, the NFC 5 transmits a response response (write response response) indicating that the writing has succeeded.
In step S33, the non-contact communication unit 14 checks whether or not a write response response has been received.
If received, the process proceeds to step S9, and if not, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, it is determined whether the number of write command transmissions exceeds a specified number.
If the number of transmissions is less than the specified number, the process returns to step S32 to retransmit the setting write response command. On the other hand, if the number of transmissions exceeds the specified number, the process proceeds to step S9.
In step S9, after non-contact communication (NFC) is stopped, in step S35, the write response response is checked to check whether data indicating the information write result has been received or not.
If the information writing result is received, the process proceeds to step S36, and if not, the process proceeds to step S37.
In step S36, it is checked whether or not the information writing result is successful. If not successful, the process proceeds to step S37, and if successful, the process is terminated.
In step S37, the user is notified that the non-contact communication (NFC) is abnormal or that the setting information could not be written to the non-contact IC tag.
This notification may also be performed using display or sound.

<Embodiment of information communication after setting information is set>
Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of information communication executed after setting information is read from the non-contact IC tag 31 in TE1 and communication setting is performed based on the setting information will be described.
(Example 1 of information communication)
In FIG. 9, the schematic explanatory drawing of embodiment at the time of performing non-contact communication (NFC) of the setting information of a headset is shown.
In FIG. 9A, the setting information (SD01) of the headset HS previously stored in the non-contact IC tag 31 of the cradle CR2 is read from the non-contact IC tag 31 by the NFC 5 and stored in the information communication device TE1. It is shown that.
FIG. 9B shows that wireless communication using Bluetooth 70 is subsequently performed with the headset HS71 based on the stored setting information (SD01).
In this case, both the TE1 and the HS 71 are provided with a Bluetooth communication unit 72 that performs communication based on a predetermined Bluetooth standard.
Here, since the setting information (SD01) corresponding to the headset HS71 is already stored in the TE1, the headset HS71 and the TE1 can be connected without the user performing a setting input operation using key input or the like. The wireless communication by Bluetooth is possible only by approaching within a predetermined distance.

(Example 2 of information communication)
FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment when non-contact communication (NFC) of wireless LAN setting information is performed.
FIG. 10A shows that the wireless LAN setting information (SD02) previously stored in the non-contact IC tag 31 of CR2 is read from the non-contact IC tag 31 by NFC5 and stored in TE1. .
FIG. 10B illustrates that wireless communication is performed by the wireless communication unit 41 that performs communication by the wireless LAN 42 to the network 4 based on the stored setting information (SD02). The wireless communication unit 41 may be provided in the TE1, but if not in the TE1, wireless communication may be performed via the information communication unit 40 provided in the CR2.

(Example 3 of information communication)
FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment when non-contact communication (NFC) of setting information of the portable printer 75 is performed.
Also in this case, both the TE1 and the portable printer 75 are provided with a Bluetooth communication unit 72 that performs communication by Bluetooth.
11A shows that the setting information (SD05) of the portable printer 75 stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag 31 of CR2 is read from the non-contact IC tag 31 by NFC5 and stored in TE1. Yes.
FIG. 11B shows that the wireless communication by the Bluetooth 70 is performed between the TE 1 approached within a predetermined distance and the Bluetooth communication unit 72 of the portable printer 75 based on the stored setting information (SD05). Indicates that it will be done.

(Example 4 of information communication)
FIG. 12 shows a schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which setting information of a plurality of headsets is stored in one non-contact IC tag 31.
In FIG. 12A, it is assumed that setting information SDxx of n headsets (HS01,... HS0n) is stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag 31 of CR2.
When TE1 is mounted on CR2, when it is detected that DC power is received from CR2, the setting information SDxx stored in the non-contact IC tag 31 is read by NFC5 and stored in TE1. .
Here, all of the plurality of setting information may be stored in the storage unit 32 of one non-contact IC tag 31, but a plurality of non-contact IC tags 31 are formed in CR2, and each non-contact IC tag 31 is stored. Different setting information may be stored in the contact IC tag 31 one by one in advance.

In FIG. 12B, after setting information SDxx of n headsets is stored in TE1, between the Bluetooth communication unit 72 of TE1 and the Bluetooth communication unit 72 of each headset (HS01,... HS0n) 71 Thus, wireless communication by Bluetooth is performed based on each setting information SDxx.
However, wireless communication is not performed simultaneously between n headsets and TE1, but wireless communication is performed only between one selected headset and TE1 among the n headsets. Is called.

In addition, various embodiments are conceivable.
For example, the form which performs communication using a mobile telephone network can be considered.

1 Information communication equipment TE
2 Cradle CR (charging stand)
3 Commercial power supply (AC)
4 Network 5 Near field communication (NFC)
6 DC power 11 Control unit 12 Input unit 13 Display unit 14 Non-contact communication unit 15 Antenna unit 16 Coil 17 Power receiving unit 18 Power receiving terminal 19 Rechargeable battery 21 Power reception monitoring unit 22 Setting information receiving unit 23 Setting information transmitting unit 24 Storage unit 25 Setting Information 31 Non-contact IC tag 32 Storage unit 33 Setting information 34 Non-contact communication unit 35 Antenna unit 36 Coil 37 Power supply unit 38 Power transmission unit 39 Power transmission terminal 40 Information communication unit 41 Wireless communication unit 42 Wireless LAN
70 Bluetooth 71 Headset 72 Bluetooth Communication Unit 75 Portable Printer

Claims (7)

A power receiving unit that receives power supplied from outside;
A power reception monitoring unit that monitors whether or not the power is received;
A non-contact communication unit that reads and writes information with respect to a non-contact IC tag capable of non-contact communication;
A setting information receiving unit for receiving setting information stored in advance in the non-contact IC tag;
A control unit,
After the power reception monitoring unit confirms that power reception has started,
The non-contact communication unit activates non-contact communication with the non-contact IC tag, receives setting information transmitted from the non-contact IC tag by the non-contact communication,
The information communication apparatus, wherein the control unit performs setting to use a predetermined communication function based on the received setting information.   The non-contact communication is short-range wireless communication that enables transmission and reception of information when the non-contact IC tag and the information communication device are arranged within a predetermined distance. The information communication apparatus described. A rechargeable battery that is charged by the received power;
3. The information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact communication is activated by the non-contact communication unit when receiving power for charging the rechargeable battery. 4. The non-contact IC tag is formed in a cradle capable of supplying power for charging,
The information communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the information communication apparatus is placed on a cradle, the power receiving unit receives power supplied from the cradle.   5. The power receiving unit includes at least one of a power receiving terminal for receiving power supplied from the cradle by contact-type power feeding and a coil for receiving power by non-contact power feeding. Information communication equipment.   6. The information according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is setting information for making it possible to use a communication function using wireless communication including at least one of a wireless LAN and Bluetooth. Communication device. A storage unit that stores setting information in advance;
A setting information transmission unit that transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the non-contact IC tag;
After the power reception monitoring unit confirms that the power reception has started, the non-contact communication unit activates non-contact communication with the non-contact IC tag, and the storage unit performs the non-contact communication. The information communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information stored in is transmitted to the non-contact IC tag.

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