The present disclosure relates to the subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-218553 filed on Sep. 24, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a data communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of information have come to be stored in portable terminals. It is a common procedure that data stored in a portable terminal is transferred or copied to an electronic apparatus such as a PC to generate backup data. A technique capable of simplifying such a data transfer operation is disclosed in which data is transmitted when it is detected that an originating portable terminal is inclined by more than a prescribed angle (refer to JP-A-2007-193546 (KOKAI), for example).
However, the above technique is directed to an originating apparatus and there is no disclosure as to a receiver apparatus. A data communication is executed when an originating apparatus is set to a data transmission mode and a receiver apparatus is set to a data reception mode. That is, to simplify the data communication, it is necessary that the operation of the receiver apparatus also be improved, that is, be such as to facilitate a transition to the data reception mode.
A general configuration that implements the various features of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to
A communication apparatus 1 as an example electronic apparatus according to the embodiments of the invention will be described below. The communication apparatus 1 is a mobile PC, a UMPC (ultra-mobile PC), a PDA (personal digital assistant), a cell phone, or the like. Although it is described in the following embodiments that the communication apparatus 1 is an apparatus having a box-shaped case, the invention is not limited to such a case. That is, the communication apparatus 1 may be an apparatus in which a display module and a main body module are housed in separate cases and which is equipped with a rotary mechanism.
The configuration of a communication apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The case 2 is assembled by fitting a case cover 2A into or with a case base 2B. Various electronic components are housed in the case 2.
The display 3 occupies a central space of the case cover 2A and displays, for example, data to be sent or received by the communication apparatus 1. A touchscreen 3A is laid on the front face of the display 3. The touchscreen 3A is an input device for inputting an operation signal corresponding to information displayed on the display 3 when the user touches the touchscreen 3A at a display position of the information. Instead of the touchscreen 3A, a tablet (digitizer) may be used which enables position indication with a pen or the like.
The speaker 5 is provided in the left-hand face of the case 2 so as to be exposed, and outputs a sound corresponding to data that is played back by the communication apparatus 1, an indicator sound, etc.
The communication antenna 7 is an antenna that is configured so as to enable data exchange with another communication apparatus 1 by executing a wireless communication with it.
The acceleration sensor 9 is a sensor for detecting acceleration of the communication apparatus 1. For example, the acceleration sensor 9 includes a movable section which moves when acceleration occurs, a spring, and electrodes whose capacitance varies depending on the movement distance of the movable section. The acceleration sensor 9 outputs, to a status detection module 10, a signal that is generated based on a capacitance variation.
The status detection module 10 detects an inclination or a movement of the communication apparatus 1, vibration or impact acting on the communication apparatus 1, etc. by performing proper signal processing on data that is generated by the acceleration sensor 9 and indicates acceleration of the communication apparatus 1. In the embodiment, the status detection module 10 includes an orientation detector 10A and a movement detector 10B.
The user interface 11 consists of buttons that occupy openings formed on the case cover 2A and accept various operations made by the user.
Data to be sent or received via the communication antenna 7 is stored in the HDD 12. The HDD 12 includes a specified folder in which data to be sent or received by a wireless communication. When the communication mode of the communication apparatus 1 is the transmission mode, a file in the specified folder is sent to a counterpart communication apparatus 1. That is, in the transmission mode, a communication controller 8 reads out file data from the specified folder of the HDD 12 and outputs it to the communication antenna 7. When the communication mode of the communication apparatus 1 is the reception mode, file data transmitted from the counterpart is stored in the specified folder. That is, in the reception mode, the communication controller 8 stores file data received via the communication antenna 7 in the specified folder of the HDD 12.
The communication apparatus 1 includes the display 3, a display controller 4, the speaker 5, an audio controller 6, the communication antenna 7, the communication controller 8, the acceleration sensor 9, the status detection module 10, the user interface 11, the HDD 12, and a controller 13.
The display 3 displays video based on a video signal received from the display controller 4.
The display controller 4 generates a video signal based on a control signal that is input from the controller 13, and outputs the generated video signal to the display 3.
The speaker 5 outputs a sound based on an audio signal received from the audio controller 6.
The audio controller 6 generates an audio signal based on a control signal that is input from the controller 13, and outputs the generated audio signal to the speaker 5.
The communication controller 8 executes a wireless communication while switching between the transmission mode and the reception mode. More specifically, the communication controller 8 performs a control as to whether to set the transmission mode or the reception mode based on a detection result of state information relating to the communication apparatus 1 that is input from the status detection module 10. In the first embodiment, orientation of the communication apparatus 1 is detected by the orientation detector 10A and the communication controller 8 sets the transmission mode if the communication apparatus 1 has frontal orientation. In the example of
The status detection module 10 detects orientation and a movement based on data indicating acceleration of the communication apparatus 1 that is detected by the acceleration sensor 9. The status detection module 10 outputs detection results to the controller 13. More specifically, the orientation detector 10A detects whether the communication apparatus 1 has frontal orientation or not and the movement detector 10B detects whether the communication apparatus 1 is moving or not as well as a movement direction.
The user interface 11 receives an operation made by the user, generates a signal indicating the operation, and outputs the generated signal to the controller 13. For example, the user interface 11 may be buttons that are disposed so as to be exposed from the case cover 2A or the touchscreen 3A.
The controller 13 controls the operations of the individual modules and the like of the communication apparatus 1. More specifically, the controller 13 controls them by activating a system control program and various kinds of processing programs that are stored in advance according to a signal that is input from the user interface 11.
First, at step S11, the communication controller 8 determines whether or not it detects a counterpart communication apparatus 1B via the communication antenna 7, that is, whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus 1B exists within the communication distance of the communication apparatus 1A in a state that the back faces 15 of the communication apparatuses 1A and 1B are opposed to each other.
If it is determined that a counterpart communication apparatus 1B is not detected (S11: no), the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if determined that a counterpart communication apparatus 1B is detected, the communication controller 8 determines at step S12 whether or not a prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus 1B is kept detected. Setting the prescribed time at several seconds and detecting continuation of the detection of the communication apparatus 1B allow a determination that the back faces 15 of the communication apparatuses 1A and 1B are opposed to each other for a wireless communication rather than accidentally. Time measurement is performed by using a clock that is incorporated in the controller 13.
If it is determined that the prescribed time has not elapsed yet in a state that the communication apparatus 1B is kept detected (S12: no), the communication control process is finished. That is, a wireless communication is not executed if the communication apparatus 1B that was detected at step S11 is moved before a lapse of the prescribed time.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus 1B is kept detected (S12: yes), orientation of the communication apparatus 1A is detected at step S13. This is done by the orientation detector 10A based on data indicating acceleration of the communication apparatus 1A that is detected by the acceleration sensor 9.
At step S14, the communication controller 8 determines whether or not the communication apparatus 1A has frontal orientation based on the detection result of the orientation detector 10A. If determined that the communication apparatus 1A has frontal orientation (S14: yes), at step S15 the communication controller 8 switches to the transmission mode. At step S16, the communication controller 8 sends file data stored in the specified folder to the counterpart communication apparatus 1B.
At step S17, the communication controller 8 displays a data transmission status on the display 3. The transmission status may be information merely indicating that the transmission is in progress or information indicating an amount of transmitted data or non-transmitted data (a total amount of file data stored in the specified folder is calculated). The communication controller 8 supplies the display controller 4 with a control signal to be used for generating a display showing a data transmission status. The display controller 4 outputs, to the display 3, a video signal representing the data transmission status based on the received control signal.
At step S18, the communication controller 8 determines whether the transmission of the data stored in the specified folder has completed or not. If it is determined that the data transmission has not completed yet (S18: no), the process returns to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data transmission has completed (S18: yes), the communication control process is finished.
If it is determined that the communication apparatus 1A has backward orientation (S14: no), at step S19 the communication controller 8 switches to the reception mode. At step S20, the communication controller 8 stores received file data in the specified folder.
At step S21, the communication controller 8 displays a data reception status on the display 3. The reception status may be information merely indicating that the reception is in progress or information indicating an amount of received data that is stored in the specified folder. The communication controller 8 supplies the display controller 4 with a control signal to be used for generating a display showing a data reception status. The display controller 4 outputs, to the display 3, a video signal representing the data reception status based on the received control signal.
Step S21 may be omitted. That is, the display of a data reception status may be omitted because the display 3 of the communication apparatus 1A in which the reception mode is set is directed downward and hence the user has difficulty recognizing a display on it.
At step S22, the communication controller 8 determines whether the reception (and the storage into the specified folder) of the data has completed or not. If it is determined that the data reception has not completed yet (S22: no), the process returns to step S13. On the other hand, if determined that the data reception has completed (S22: yes), at step S23 the communication controller 8 outputs a reception completion sound from the speaker 5. That is, if determined that the data reception has completed, the communication controller 8 supplies the audio controller 6 with a control signal to be used for generating a reception completion sound. The audio controller 6 outputs, to the speaker 5, an audio signal of the reception completion sound based on the received control signal. The speaker 5 outputs the reception completion sound based on the received audio signal. The communication control process is thus completed.
According to the above-described first embodiment of the invention, the data communication can be simplified by switching the communication mode according to the orientation of the communication apparatus 1. That is, in starting a wireless communication, the communication apparatuses 1A and 1B can be set to the transmission mode or the reception mode by giving them frontal orientation or backward orientation without the need for making operations for setting them to the transmission mode or the reception mode.
Since the transmission mode is set if the back face 15 of the communication apparatus 1A is directed downward, a data communication is executed in a state that the counterpart communication apparatus 1B is located under the communication apparatus 1A. When something is handed over, usually, the handing-over side is located above and the receiving side is located below. Setting the relationship between the orientation of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication mode in the manner described in the first embodiment makes it possible to execute transmission and reception of electronic data with the same positional relationship as in the case of handing-over of a thing. A more intuitive operation is thus enabled.
Although in the first embodiment a wireless communication is started when a state that the back faces 15 of the communication apparatuses 1A and 1B are opposed to each other has continued for the prescribed time, the invention is not limited to such a case.
A wireless communication may be started by making a prescribed operation on the user interface 11 after the back faces 15 was opposed to each other. Starting a wireless communication by an operation made by the user can increase the security of a data communication.
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the orientation of the communication antenna 7. The communication direction of the communication antenna 7 is the direction toward the front face 14 (i.e., the negative direction along the Z axis shown in
In the second embodiment, the transmission mode is set if the communication apparatus 1 has frontal orientation. In the example of
The communication control process according to the second embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment and hence will not be described below. Since a wireless communication is executed in a state that the front faces 14 are opposed to each other, the user cannot recognize a status of a data communication. However, the user can recognize completion of a data communication by causing the communication apparatus 1C in the reception mode to output a reception completion sound.
According to the above-described second embodiment, since the transmission mode is set in the communication apparatus 1 having frontal orientation, data transmission to multiple communication apparatus 1 can be executed more smoothly. That is, data can be transmitted to multiple communication apparatus 1 by bringing the multiple communication apparatus 1 to receive data close to the communication apparatus 1D one after another without moving the communication apparatus 1D which is in the transmission mode.
Although in the first and second embodiments the transmission mode is set when the communication apparatus 1 has frontal orientation, the invention is not limited to such a case. That is, the communication apparatus 1 may be configured so that the relationship between the orientation of the communication apparatus 1 and the communication mode can be set by the user.
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to
As shown in
In the third embodiment, the communication controller 8 detects a movement and a movement direction of the communication apparatus 1 with the movement detector 10B and sets the transmission mode if the communication apparatus 1 is moving in the direction from the front face 14 to the back face 15. In the example of
Next, how in the third embodiment the communication mode is switched according to the movement of the communication apparatus 1E will be described with reference to
First, at step S31, the communication controller 8 detects a movement direction of the communication apparatus 1E. A movement of the communication apparatus 1E is actually detected by the movement detector 10B based on data indicating acceleration of the communication apparatus 1E that is detected by the acceleration sensor 9.
At step S32, the communication controller 8 determines whether or not the communication apparatus 1E is moving forward based on the detection result of the movement detector 10B. If determined that the communication apparatus 1E is moving forward (S32: yes), at step S33 the communication controller 8 switches to the transmission mode. On the other hand, if determined that the communication apparatus 1E is not moving forward (S32: no), at step S34 the communication controller 8 switches to the reception mode. That is, the reception mode is set if the communication apparatus 1E is not moving or is moving backward.
At step S35, the communication controller 8 determines whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus 1F is detected via the communication antenna 7, that is, whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus 1F exists within the communication distance of the communication apparatus 1E in a state that the back faces 15 of the communication apparatuses 1E and 1F are opposed to each other.
If it is determined that a counterpart communication apparatus 1B is not detected (S35: no), the process returns to step S35. On the other hand, if determined that a counterpart communication apparatus 1F is detected, the communication controller 8 determines at step S36 whether or not a prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus 1F is kept detected. Setting the prescribed time at several seconds and detecting continuation of the detection of the communication apparatus 1F allow a determination that the back faces 15 of the communication apparatuses 1E and 1F are opposed to each other for a wireless communication rather than accidentally. Time measurement is performed by using a clock that is incorporated in the controller 13.
If it is determined that the prescribed time has not elapsed yet in a state that the communication apparatus 1F is kept detected (S36: no), the communication control process is finished. That is, a wireless communication is not executed if the communication apparatus 1F that was detected at step S35 is moved before a lapse of the prescribed time.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus 1F is kept detected (S36: yes), at step S37 the communication controller 8 sends or receives a file to or from the counterpart communication apparatus 1F. That is, the communication apparatus 1E sends a file that is stored in the specified folder to the counterpart communication apparatus 1F if the communication apparatus 1E is in the transmission mode, and the communication apparatus 1E stores a received file in the specified folder if it is in the reception mode.
At step S38, the communication controller 8 displays a data transmission or reception status on the display 3. The data transmission or reception status is a start of transmission, transmission in progress, transmission complete, or the like.
At step S39, the communication controller 8 determines whether the transmission or reception of the data has completed or not. If it is determined that the data transmission or reception has not completed yet (S39: no), the process returns to step S36. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data transmission or reception has completed (S39: yes), at step S40 the communication controller 8 outputs a transmission or reception completion sound from the speaker 5. The transmission or reception completion sound is output from at least one of the communication apparatus 1 and the counterpart communication apparatus 1. If determined that the data transmission or reception has completed, the communication controller 8 of at least one of the communication apparatus 1 and the counterpart communication apparatus 1 supplies the audio controller 6 with a control signal to be used for generating a transmission or reception completion sound. The audio controller 6 outputs, to the speaker 5, an audio signal of the transmission or reception completion sound based on the received control signal. The speaker 5 outputs the transmission or reception completion sound based on the received audio signal. The communication control process is thus completed.
According to the above-described third embodiment, the transmission mode can be set in the communication apparatus 1E which is to transmit data by merely bringing it close to the communication apparatus 1F. That is, the communication mode of the communication apparatus 1 can be switched according to how the user who holds the communication apparatus 1 moves it rather than its orientation.
Although in the third embodiment the transmission mode is set by moving the communication apparatus forward, the invention is not limited to such a case. That is, the transmission mode or the reception mode may be set so as to correspond to a particular movement or manner of vibration of the communication apparatus 1 that is detected by the acceleration sensor 9.
Incidentally, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment per se and constituent members may be changed or modified for embodying the invention without departing from the gist of the invention in a practical stage. Constituent members disclosed in the aforementioned embodiment may be combined suitably to form various inventions. For example, some of all constituent members disclosed in the embodiment may be removed. In addition, constituent members disclosed in different embodiments may be combined suitably.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2009-218553 | Sep 2009 | JP | national |