Patent Application
20060117017
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and the like, particularly to an information processing apparatus in which communication functions by different types of protocols are combined, and two types of devices and a communication device which are constituting elements.
Cellular phones of a so-called cellular phone system have prevailed, accordingly various application programs have been mounted on personal portable terminals such as cellular phones, and it has been possible to access a desired server via internet. On the other hand, a non-contact card type terminal on which a coil antenna and an IC are mounted has been put to practical use, and has been actually used as a train prepaid card or the like (see, e.g., Patent Document 1 described below). As a communication system of a non-contact type IC card, for example, ISO14443-B or the like is known.
The cellular phone or the personal portable terminal called PDA is connected to the internet to acquire various kinds of information, and thus the use range is remarkably broad. On the other hand, in the non-contact card type terminal, which is called a secure card or the like, balance information is stored under high security guarantee, and therefore the reliability is high. A cellular phone combined with the non-contact card type terminal has been developed in such a manner as to communicate with a card reader/writer (local server which is a communication target of the non-contact card type terminal) with which the cellular phone cannot directly communicate via a communication function of the non-contact card type terminal (see Patent Document 2 described below).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-172806 (
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-341763 (
However, a radio communication system disclosed in Patent Document 2 merely performs communication between the cellular phone and the card reader/writer via the non-contact card type terminal. That is, in the radio communication system of Patent Document 2, the non-contact card type terminal itself is not used in communication with the card reader/writer regardless of the cellular phone, and, as a result, the card reader/writer is not capable of communicating in order to utilize a function (e.g., a prepaid card function, etc.) inherent in the non-contact card type terminal.
When the communication with the card reader/writer (local server) is performed using a hybrid portable communication terminal described in the above-described prior application, a command signal can be transmitted to a non-contact card type terminal side of the hybrid portable communication terminal, but the non-contact card type terminal cannot transmit any command signal because of standards of an IC card. That is, on receiving a command from the card reader/writer, the non-contact card type terminal can return a response, but the terminal itself cannot emit any command to the cellular phone which is another constituting element of the hybrid portable communication terminal. Therefore, the cellular phone (portable terminal) constituting the hybrid portable communication terminal is organically brought into cooperation with an application program of the non-contact card type terminal (secure card terminal), an operation section of the hybrid portable communication terminal is operated for timely data processing or data display, and a command has to be sent to the non-contact card type terminal.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of using application programs of both a cellular phone and a non-contact card type terminal in cooperation, communicating with a communication terminal with a desired protocol using an application program required in accordance with application, and requiring a process with respect to a portable terminal in response to a command received by the non-contact card type terminal from the communication terminal, and to provide two types of devices and a communication device which are constituting elements.
To achieve the above-described problem, in the present invention, non-contact communication is performed with an application program of a cellular phone or the like by a hybrid portable communication terminal which is an information processing apparatus combined with terminals of different communication systems in a predetermined non-contact communication system with a communication terminal in a point-blank range. Accordingly, an application program for performing various data processes is used in cooperation. If necessary, these application programs can be selectively used. Communication means of another non-contact communication system different from the predetermined non-contact communication system are mounted on both the hybrid portable communication terminal and the communication terminal, and the communication terminal requests a non-contact card type terminal or the like which is a second device of the hybrid portable communication terminal to process data in response to a predetermined command in the predetermined non-contact communication system. In this case, a command transmission request is transmitted to a cellular phone which is a first device of the hybrid portable communication terminal in another non-contact communication system beforehand. When a predetermined command is transmitted to the second device from the first device, and a command is transmitted to the first device from the second device, the second device executes a process in response to the command, and predetermined data processing can be requested to the first device.
That is, according to the present invention described in claim 1, an information processing apparatus comprising: a first device; and a second device connected to the first device in an attachable/detachable or fixed manner,
the first device comprising:
first communication means for communicating with fifth communication means of an external communication device;
second communication means for communicating with the second device; and
a first control section for controlling processing in the first communication means, the second communication means, and the first device,
the second device comprising:
third communication means for communicating with the second communication means;
fourth communication means for communicating with sixth communication means of the communication device or a communication device which is different from the communication device; and
a second control section for controlling processing in the third communication means, the fourth communication means, and the second device.
According to this constitution, application programs of the first and second devices can be appropriately combined, or selected to perform a desired process at a high speed. Moreover, even if a user does not operate details, a predetermined command can be automatically transmitted to the first device from the second device to perform predetermined data processing or display.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 2, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 1, wherein on receiving a third process command from the first communication means, the first control section sends the third process command or a command corresponding to the process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
the second control section once holds a response to the command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}], processes a first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends a second process request which is the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means in a case where a new process is required in processing the first process request [{circle around (2)}], and
the first control section processes the second process request received via the second communication means, and sends the process response to the third communication means via the second communication means.
According to this constitution, a process of performing authentication can be automatically interlocked, for example, by PIN input or the like. It is to be noted that, needless to say, the present invention also includes a case where generation of a new process in the processing of the first process request (the above {circle around (2)}) is earlier than a holding state, that is, temporary holding of the response by the reception of the third process command (the above {circle around (1)}). Needless to say, as the process in this case, the state of {circle around (2)} is held, and the second process request is sent in a stage in which the state of {circle around (1)} is obtained.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 3, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the first device comprises output means for outputting information,
on receiving a third process command from the first communication means, the first control section sends the third process command or a command corresponding to the process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
the second control section once holds a response to a command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}], processes the first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends information produced [{circle around (2)}] as a result of the processing of the first process request as the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means, and
the first control section sends the information received via the second communication means to the output means.
According to this constitution, it is possible to automatically supply a predetermined process result to a user by image, sound, printing output and the like (it is to be noted that {circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} are similar to those of the invention described in claim 2).
Furthermore, according to the present invention described in claim 4, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the first device comprises output means for outputting information,
on receiving a third process command from the first communication means, the first control section sends the third process command or a command corresponding to the process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
the second control section once holds a response to the command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}], processes a first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends additional information added to the first process request as the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means, when the processing of the first process request is completed [{circle around (2)}], and
the first control section sends the additional information received via the second communication means to the output means.
According to this constitution, it is possible to output even the additional information. Here, the above-described invention, needless to say, includes a case where the additional information is acquired from a communication target via the fourth communication means after the process is completed, when the additional information is not added to the first process request (it is to be noted that {circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} are similar to those of the invention described in claim 2).
Additionally, according to the present invention described in claim 5, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the first communication means performs communication in a communication system which does not have any directivity, and
the fourth communication means performs communication in a communication system having the directivity or by a point-blank range.
According to this constitution, presence of the directivity can be skillfully combined to give/receive desired information.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 6, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a first device; and a second device connected to the first device in an attachable/detachable or fixed manner,
the first device comprising:
a communication section which communicates with an external communication terminal;
first communication means for detecting the communication of the communication section;
second communication means for communicating with the second device; and
a first control section which performs the communication section, the first communication means, the second communication means, and control of a process in the first device,
the second device comprising:
third communication means for communicating with the second communication means;
fourth communication means for communicating with the communication terminal via the communication section; and
a second control section which performs the third communication means, the fourth communication means, and control of a process in the second device.
According to this constitution, application programs of the first and second devices can be appropriately combined, or selected to perform a desired process at a high speed. Moreover, even if a user does not operate details, a predetermined command can be automatically transmitted to the first device from the second device to perform predetermined data processing or display.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 7, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 6, wherein in the first device, the communication section receives a first process request from the communication terminal,
the first communication means detects the reception, and the first control section sends a third process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
in the second device, the second control section once holds a response to the third process command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}],
the fourth communication means receives the first process request via the communication section,
the second control section processes the first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends a second process request which is the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means in a case where a new process is required in processing the first process request [{circle around (2)}], and
the first control section processes the second process request received via the second communication means, and sends the process response to the third communication means via the second communication means.
According to this constitution, authentication can be performed, for example, by PIN input or the like (it is to be noted that {circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} are similar to those of the invention described in claim 2).
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 8, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 6, wherein the first device comprises output means for outputting information,
in the first device, the communication section receives the first process request from the communication terminal,
the first communication means detects the reception, and the first control section sends a third process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
in the second device, the second control section once holds a response to the third process command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}],
the fourth communication means receives the first process request via the communication section,
the second control section processes the first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends information produced [{circle around (2)}] as a result of the processing of the first process request as the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means, and
the first control section sends the information received via the second communication means to the output means.
According to this constitution, it is possible to supply a predetermined process result to a user by image, sound, printing output and the like (it is to be noted that {circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} are similar to those of the invention described in claim 2).
Furthermore, according to the present invention described in claim 9, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 6, wherein the first device comprises output means for outputting information,
in the first device, the communication section receives a first process request from a communication terminal,
the first communication means detects the reception, and the first control section sends the third process command to the third communication means via the second communication means,
in the second device, the second control section once holds a response to the third process command received via the third communication means [{circle around (1)}],
the fourth communication means receives the first process request via the communication section,
the second control section processes the first process request received via the fourth communication means, and sends additional information added to the first process request as the held response to the second communication means via the third communication means, when the processing of the first process request is completed [{circle around (2)}], and
the first control section sends the additional information received via the second communication means to the output means.
According to this constitution, it is possible to output even the additional information (it is to be noted that {circle around (1)}{circle around (2)} are similar to those of the invention described in claim 2, and acquisition of the additional information is similar to that of the invention described in claim 4).
Additionally, according to the present invention described in claim 10, there is provided the information processing apparatus described in claim 6, wherein the fourth communication means performs communication in a communication system having directivity or by a point-blank range.
According to this constitution, presence of the directivity can be skillfully combined to give/receive desired information.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 11, there is provided the first device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
According to this constitution, the first device constitutes a part of the above-described information processing apparatus.
Furthermore, according to the present invention described in claim 12, there is provided the second device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
According to this constitution, the second device constitutes a part of the above-described information processing apparatus.
Additionally, according to the present invention described in claim 13, there is provided a communication device which communicates with the information processing apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 10, the communication device comprising:
fifth communication means for communicating with first communication means of the information processing apparatus; and
sixth communication means for communicating with fourth communication means of the information processing apparatus,
wherein the sixth communication means sends, to the fourth communication means, a first process request with respect to a second device of the information processing apparatus,
the fifth communication means sends, to the first communication means, a process command with respect to a first device of the information processing apparatus before sending the first process request, and
the process command is a process command to perform a process in cooperation with the processing of the first process request.
According to this constitution, the communication device can realize a mechanism of effective automatic cooperation between the first and second devices in the information processing apparatus.
Moreover, according to the present invention described in claim 14, there is provided a communication device which communicates with an information processing apparatus comprising two or more communication means, the communication device comprising:
fifth communication means for communicating with first communication means of the information processing apparatus; and
sixth communication means for communicating with fourth communication means of the information processing apparatus,
wherein the sixth communication means sends, to the fourth communication means, a first process request with respect to the information processing apparatus, and
the fifth communication means sends, to the first communication means, a process command to perform a process in cooperation with the processing of the first process request before sending the first process request, and a mechanism of effective automatic cooperation between first and second devices in the information processing apparatus can be realized.
It is to be noted that the “process command to perform a process in cooperation with the processing of the first process request” includes the following.
(1) Required Information Acquisition Process
process command to perform the process in the processing of the first process request, and
typical examples include authentication information acquisition at the time of settlement of a large amount of money, prepaid charge process and the like.
(2) Result Information Output Process
process command to output a process result after the processing of the first process request, and
typical examples include a process to issue and/or display an electronic receipt after a settlement process.
(3) Additional Information Output Process
process command to be processed after the processing of the first process request,
this is a process (there may be relevance) which does not necessarily require relevance to a first process, and typical examples include a process to display today's news after a ticket check process or an admission process and the like.
According to this constitution, a part of the above-described information processing apparatus is constituted by the communication device.
A preferable mode for carrying out an information processing apparatus of the present invention, a device, and a communication device will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
A basic constitution of the preferable mode for carrying out a communication system in which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is used will be described with respect to
In
The PTD 10 has an antenna 11 similar to that of a known cellular phone, a communication section 12, a CPU 13, a memory 14, a display section 15, and an operation section 16 in such a manner that basic functions of a normal cellular phone or portable terminal can be executed. The antenna 11, communication section 12, memory 14, display section 15, and operation section 16 are all connected to the CPU 13 (actual connection is performed via a bus line or interface). In this example in which the antenna 11 and communication section 12 are not required in a case where the PTD 10 does not have to execute the basic function of the usual cellular phone or portable terminal, the display section 15 is shown as output means. However, not only display by a screen but also information output means to a user, such as reporting by sound and printing output by a printer, are usable. It is to be noted that a battery is also contained, but is omitted from the drawing. In addition to the constitution of the above-described conventional cellular phone, the PTD 10 has two interfaces (I/F) 17, 18 connected to the CPU 13. The interface 17 communicates with the SE 20. On the other hand, the interface 18 communicates with the local server 30 by communication 56 which does not require directivity (communication can be performed even if there is an obstruction between the communication devices). Main examples include radio communication systems such as Bluetooth and radio LAN. Here, the CPU 13 corresponds to first control means of
The SE 20 has a tamper resist storage region, and has an interface (I/F) 24 containing an antenna and a communication section similar to those of a known non-contact IC card, a CPU 22, and a memory 23 in such a manner as to be capable of executing a basic function of a usual non-contact IC card or the like. The interface 24 and the memory 23 are connected to the CPU 22 (actual connection is performed via a bus line or interface). In addition to the above-described constitution of the conventional non-contact type IC card, the SE 20 has an interface (I/F) 21 connected to the CPU 22. This interface 21 communicates with the PTD 10. Here, the CPU 22 corresponds to second control means of
The SE 20 may be disposed not only in a fixed manner but also in an attachable/detachable manner with respect to a casing (not shown) of the PTD 10. The communication between the PTD 10 and the SE 20 is performed by cable communication. Therefore, when the SE 20 is fixed, a communication cable shown by a dotted line 50 is disposed between the interfaces 17 and 21 to thereby perform communication. On the other hand, when the SE 20 is detachably attached, a contact portion of the communication cable 50 is disposed in an attachable/detachable portion, the SE 20 is attached to a casing of the PTD 10, and then the interfaces 17 and 21 can be constituted in such a manner as to be connected to each other.
OSs or application programs for controlling operations of the CPUs 13, 22 are stored in the memory 14 of the PTD 10, and the memory 23 of the SE 20, respectively. In an actual operation, these application programs are started to perform various processes. In
Next, an operation of an embodiment of the present invention, that is, an information processing method in a communication system constituted of a hybrid portable communication terminal 70 which is an information processing apparatus, and a local server 30 will be described with reference to
First, when the hybrid portable communication terminal 70 is positioned in a short-distance range which is a communication range of the local server 30, {circle around (1)} the third control section 30C of the local server 30 transmits a command transmission request to the first control section 10C of the PTD 10 via the interfaces 34 and 18, requesting the first control section 10C to send a first command to the second control section 20C of the SE 20. {circle around (2)} Next, on receiving the command transmission request, the first control section 10C sends the first command to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 17 and 21.
{circle around (3)} Thereafter, the third control section 30C of the local server 30 transmits a second command to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 31 and 24. Then, {circle around (4)} the second control section 20C executes a process in response to the second command. Thereafter, {circle around (5)} the second control section 20C transmits a process request to the first control section 10C of the PTD 10 via the interfaces 21 and 17, requesting the section to perform a predetermined process. {circle around (6)} The first control section 10C transmits a result of the process performed in response to the process request to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 17 and 21. {circle around (7)} On receiving the process result, the second control section 20C transmits the process result to the third control section 30C of the local server 30 with respect to the second command via the interfaces 24 and 31, and then a series of communication ends. It is to be noted that the second control section 20C once holds a response to the first command. It is to be noted that when the first command does not come yet via the interface 21, the processing of the process request of the second command is once held until the first command comes. After the first command comes, a response is made. A similar process is also performed with respect to an output of the process result or that of additional information. It is to be noted that the additional information may be acquired from the outside after the process ends.
On the other hand, when the shopping total amount exceeds 5,000 yen, the settlement by the application program of the SE 20 is not performed. {circle around (5)} The PTD 10 is requested to input a personal identification number (PIN) via the interfaces 21, 17. Upon receiving this request, the PTD 10 starts the predetermined application program (e.g., i application), and performs predetermined display in the display section 15 in order to inquire the user whether or not the settlement may be performed. To perform this display, the CPU 13 operates to display, for example, “the total shopping amount is 15,800 yen. Since the amount exceeds 5,000 yen, automatic settlement cannot be done. When payment is approved, input your password and press #. If it is not approved, please press 0#.”
The user performs input following this instruction. When 0# is pressed in the above-described example, the settlement is not performed, and it is notified to the local server 30 via the SE 20 that the settlement is not performed. Here, the PIN assigned beforehand when the SE 20 is obtained (bought) is used as a password. In the above-described example, when # is pressed following the password, {circle around (6)} the PTD 10 sends a predetermined instruction, that is, PIN data to the SE 20, and the SE 20 authenticates whether or not the received PIN is correct. {circle around (7)} When the PIN is correct, the SE 20 sends, to the local server 30, predetermined notification, that is, notification of settlement information indicating that the settlement is to be performed.
In the above-described example, the PTD 10 starts the application program to obtain approval of payment by the user, but may be constituted in such a manner as to access the server 40 shown in
First, the hybrid portable communication terminal 70 is positioned in a short-distance range which is a communication range of the local server 30. Then, {circle around (1)} the third control section 30C of the local server 30 transmits a command transmission request to the first control section 10C of the PTD 10 via the interfaces 34 and 18, requesting the first control section 10C to send a first command to the second control section 20C of the SE 20. {circle around (2)} Next, on receiving the command transmission request, the first control section 10C transmits the command to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 17 and 21.
{circle around (3)} Thereafter, the third control section 30C of the local server 30 transmits the process request to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 31 and 24, {circle around (4)} the second control section 20C executes a process in response to the process request, and {circle around (5)} thereafter the second control section 20C transmits data for display to the first control section 10C of the PTD 10 via the interfaces 21 and 17. The first control section 10C performs predetermined display, and {circle around (6)} transmits the display result to the second control section 20C of the SE 20 via the interfaces 17 and 21. {circle around (7)} The second control section 20C sends the data for display to the first control section 10C in the above {circle around (5)}. Then, even when the result of the display of the above {circle around (6)} is not received, the process result to execute the process request is transmitted to the third control section 30C of the local server 30 via the interfaces 24 and 31. Then, a series of communication ends. Therefore, the process of the above {circle around (6)} may not be executed.
The mounting example in
It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described constitution or operation of the embodiment, and may be modified as follows. That is, besides the process by the SE 20 or the PTD 10 shown in
Moreover, a case where the communication 52 between the fourth communication means (interface 24) and the sixth communication means (interface 31) has non-contact in the IC card or the like has been described, but a communication system requiring directivity of IrDA or the like may be used. Considering a settlement process which has been described as a representative service example, clear intention display (further preferably, an environment where the action is not obstructed) of a person who makes the settlement is required. However, in the IrDA, since the directivity is required, an intention display (further a situation which is not easily obstructed because a communication distance is about 1 m to several tens of centimeters in a short-distance or point-blank range) to direct the apparatus to the settlement terminal is required.
Moreover, in a preferable mode of the present invention, a constitution further comprises a step of receiving an electronic receipt by the SE 20 after ending a predetermined settlement in the communication with the local server 30, and the received electronic receipt is sent to the PTD 10, and supplied to the user by the display brought under the control/administration of the PTD 10.
Furthermore, in a preferable mode of the present invention, the local server 30 which is the communication terminal is a personal computer, and the constitution further comprises a step of receiving personal information manager (PIM) information by the SE 20 at a communication time with the personal computer. The received PIM information is sent to the PTD 10, and supplied to the user by the display brought under the control/administration of the PTD 10.
Additionally, in a preferable mode of the present invention, the communication terminal is not the local server, and is a household electric appliance. The constitution further comprises: a step of receiving control information of the household electric appliance by the SE 20 at a communication time with respect to the household electric appliance; and a step of transmitting a control command to control the household electric appliance with respect to the household electric appliance. The received control information is sent to the PTD 10, and supplied to the user by the display brought under the control/administration of the PTD 10. Moreover, the predetermined control command is transmitted to the household electric appliance in accordance with an instruction given by the user.
As a method of supplying information to the user, not only the displaying of characters or images but also the supplying of the information by sound, and combination of the sound and display are preferable modes of the present invention.
As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by a hybrid portable communication terminal in which terminals of different communication systems are combined, an application program of a cellular phone or the like, and an application program for performing non-contact communication with a communication terminal in a point-blank range to perform various data processing are used in cooperation. If necessary, these application programs can be selectively used. Therefore, in an environment having high security, high-speed giving/receiving of a data process, or data processing is possible, and non-efficiency or complication of an operation can be solved in a case where a conventional portable terminal, non-contact type IC card or the like is used alone, or used simply as a combination. Furthermore, the communication terminal requests a non-contact card type terminal of a hybrid portable communication terminal to process data in response to a predetermined command in a first non-contact communication system. At this time, a command transmission request is transmitted beforehand to a contact card reader/writer of the hybrid portable communication terminal in a second non-contact communication system. The contact card reader/writer transmits a predetermined command to the non-contact type terminal. When the non-contact card reader/writer transmits a command to the non-contact card type terminal, the non-contact card type terminal executes a process with respect to the command, so that a predetermined data process can be required with respect to the contact card reader/writer. Therefore, a superior effect is produced that an operation section of the hybrid portable communication terminal may not be operated to send a command to the non-contact card type terminal.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-382633 | Dec 2002 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP03/16929 | 12/26/2003 | WO | 6/23/2005 |
