JPH1124886A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to talk with his opposite party while looking at a display part without using an earphone having a microphone by using an input means that is independently of the main body of portable information terminal. SOLUTION: A user uses an input means that is independently of a portable information terminal maim body 1 to talk with his opposite party. A pen 20 serving as a rod-shaped input means consists of a speaker 21, a microphone 22, a voice processing part 23 which applies A/D conversion to the voices received from the microphone 22 to obtain the voice data and also applies D/A conversion to the voice data received from the main body 1 to output them to the speaker 21, an oscillator 24, a power supply 25, a pen control part 26 and a main body communication part 27. Thus, the user can talk with his opposite party using the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 via a pen communication part 7 of the main body 1 and the part 27 of the pen 20. Then the infrared communication is applied between both parts 7 and 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal capable of voice communication with the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 shows a portable information terminal disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-29879. In the figure, 10
0 is the main body, 101 is the rotation detecting means, 102 is the microphone, 1
03 is a speaker, and 104 is a display unit. In this portable information terminal, the numeral recognition means (not shown) is used as the rotation detection means 1.
Recognize the number from 01 and extract the destination telephone number. When making a call with the other party (not shown), the microphone 1
02, and the speaker 103 is brought close to the ear to make a call.
That is, the user (not shown) cannot see the display unit 104 during a call with the other party.

Further, recent portable information terminals include portable information terminals capable of multiplex communication of voice and data. FIG. 9 is an external view of a conventional portable information terminal capable of multiplex communication of voice and data. In the figure, 200 is the main body, 201 is the display unit, 202 is the icon, 203 is the microphone, 204 is the speaker, 205 is the earphone jack with microphone, 2
Reference numeral 06 denotes a pen which is a rod-shaped input means.

Next, the operation of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 9 will be described. In this portable information terminal, a user (not shown) can talk with the other party using the microphone 203 and the speaker 204 while displaying the contents of data communication with the other party on the display unit 201. In other words, it is possible to transmit certain data to the other party, and to explain the content of the transmitted data by voice while displaying the transmitted data on the display unit 201. However, the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 9 is often used in an environment where there is a lot of noise in the surroundings, and when talking with the other party, the microphone 203 is used to reliably transmit voice to the user (not shown). In this case, the speaker 204 is placed close to the ear to talk.

[0005] That is, when the user talks, the main unit 2
Since the face is brought close to the microphone 203 and the speaker 204, the display unit 201 cannot be seen. When the user wants to view the display unit 201 even during a call, the user connects the earphone with microphone (not shown) to the earphone jack with microphone 205 and talks using the earphone with microphone. You can talk to the other party while watching. Note that when carrying, the input means 206 is the main body 20.
0 is stored. Also, the earphone with microphone is carried separately from the portable information terminal.

[0006]

The conventional portable information terminal is configured as described above, and has the following problems. (1) In the configuration of FIG. 8, the microphone 102 is placed close to the mouth and the speaker 103 is placed close to the ear when talking with the other party.
The display unit 104 cannot be seen. Similarly, in the configuration of FIG. 9, when making a call with the other party, the microphone 203 and the speaker 204 are brought closer to the mouth and the ear, respectively.
Can not see. (2) In the configuration of FIG. 9, if the earphone with microphone (not shown) is connected to the earphone jack with microphone 205, the user can talk with the other party while looking at the display unit 201. Must be carried separately from the portable information terminal, and each time a call is started, the earphone with the microphone must be connected to the earphone jack with the microphone 205, which is troublesome to handle. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal capable of talking with the other party while looking at a display unit without using an earphone with a microphone. Is provided. A second object is to provide a portable information terminal capable of saving power except during a call.

[0008]

A portable information terminal according to the present invention comprises a portable information terminal body having a data input section, a display section, and an external communication section enabling voice communication with the outside, and the portable information terminal. A rod-shaped input unit separate from the terminal body, a voice input / output unit provided in the input unit, for inputting / outputting voice, and a voice input / output unit provided in the input unit; An input means transmitting / receiving section for transmitting / receiving to / from the terminal body; a power supply provided to the input means for supplying power to the voice input / output section and the input means transmitting / receiving section; A main body transmitting / receiving section for transmitting / receiving voice to / from the means side transmitting / receiving section, and a voice communication for performing voice communication with the outside using the external communication section, the voice input / output section, the input means side transmitting / receiving section and the main body side transmitting / receiving section. With means Those were.

[0009] The portable information terminal according to the next invention is:
The voice communication means supplies power to the voice input / output unit when controlling a power supply and talking with the outside.

[0010] The portable information terminal according to the next invention is:
Infrared communication means is used for transmission and reception between the input means side transmitting / receiving section and the main body side transmitting / receiving section.

[0011] The portable information terminal according to the next invention is:
Radio wave communication means is used for transmission and reception between the input means side transmitting / receiving section and the main body side transmitting / receiving section.

[0012] The portable information terminal according to the next invention is:
A storage unit for storing input means in a predetermined form is provided in the main body of the portable information terminal. When the input means is stored in the storage unit, the transmission / reception unit on the input unit side and the transmission / reception unit on the main body face each other, and audio input is performed. The output unit is arranged at a callable position.

Further, a portable information terminal according to the following invention is provided.
The storage unit is provided with a storage detection unit that detects a state of the input unit,
When an incoming call is received from the other party while the input unit is stored in the storage unit, the storage detection unit detects that the input unit is removed from the storage unit, and determines that the off-hook operation has been performed on the voice communication unit. Notify.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a portable information terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a portable information terminal main body (hereinafter abbreviated as a main body), 2 is an external communication unit, 3 is a display unit, 4 is an input recognition unit, 5 is a display control unit, 6 is a pen storage detection unit, 7
Is a pen communication unit, 8 is a main body control unit, 9 is a pen storage unit, 10
Is a buzzer that sounds a ring tone, 12 is a data processing unit, and 13 is a demultiplexing unit.

A pen 20 is a rod-shaped input means.
21 is a speaker, 22 is a microphone, 23 is an audio processing unit that A / D converts audio from the microphone 22 to audio data, and D / A converts audio data from the main body 1 and outputs the audio data to the speaker 21. 24 is an oscillator, 25 is a power supply, 26
Denotes a pen control unit, and 27 denotes a main body communication unit. In this embodiment, communication between the pen communication unit 7 and the main body communication unit 27 is performed by infrared communication.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the pen 20 is taken out of the main body 1, and FIG. Indicates the status. When the pen 20 is stored in the pen storage unit 9 as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the pen communication unit 7 and the main body communication unit 27 are placed in opposing positions in order to enable communication in the pen storage state. To be stored in In addition, the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 are stored so as to be arranged at positions that are not hidden by the main body 1 so that the user can talk.

In order to store the data in such a manner, for example, a section (not shown) is provided on one side of the pen 20 and the pen storage section 9 is provided.
Can be easily realized by enabling storage in only one direction. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an incoming / outgoing call screen used at the time of an incoming / outgoing call operation with the other party (not shown), where 30 is an on-hook icon, 31 is an off-hook icon, 32
Is a telephone number display section, and 33 is a numeric keypad. Note that an input recognition unit 4 (for example, a tablet) is mounted on the display unit 3 in a superimposed manner so that data input superimposed on the display unit 3 can be performed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an incoming call connection operation from the base station 40 to the main unit 1, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an outgoing connection operation from the main unit 1 to the base station 40, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the disconnection operation from the main unit 1 to the base station 40. FIG. The description of the operation according to FIGS. 4 to 7 is schematic, and details are given in the second-generation cordless telephone system standard (RCR STD-28, issued by the radio wave industry) and Ir.
DA (Infra-rde Data Associate)
Tion) It shall be realized by referring to the standard. (That is, the detailed call control procedure is omitted here and the description is simplified.)

Next, the operation of the portable information terminal of the present invention will be described. First, the call connection operation from the base station 40 to the main unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the pen 20, only the pen control unit 26 and the main body communication unit 27 are energized by the power supply 25, and the audio processing unit 23 and the oscillator 24 are not energized. When the external communication unit 1 receives an incoming call from the base station 40 (S1), it notifies the main control unit 8. As a result, the main body control unit 8 causes the external communication unit 1 to output the incoming call reception (S
2) The display control unit 5 displays an incoming / outgoing call screen as shown in FIG. 3 (S3), and the buzzer 10 generates a ring tone (S3).
4). Further, the main body control unit 8 starts up the data processing unit 12 and the demultiplexing unit 13 and causes the pen communication unit 7 to output a connection request at arrival (S5).

The main body communication unit 27 that has received the incoming connection request notifies the pen control unit 26. Thereby, the pen control unit 2
The power supply 25 energizes the audio processing unit 23 by the power supply 25 to enable the use of the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 (S6), and causes the main body communication unit 27 to output a connection response upon arrival (S7). This enables voice communication between the pen communication unit 7 and the main unit communication unit 27.

The pen communication unit 7 that has received the incoming connection response notifies the main body control unit 8. As a result, the main body control unit 8 enters an off-hook waiting state. Next, when the user (not shown) touches the off-hook icon 31 (S8), the input recognition unit 4 notifies the main body control unit 8 that the off-hook icon 31 has been touched. As a result, the main body control unit 8 stops the ringing sound of the buzzer 11 (S9), and causes the external communication unit 2 to output an incoming call permission (S10). As a result, the main body control unit 8 enters a call state, and the portable information terminal sets the pen 20.
It is possible to talk with the other party (not shown) using the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 in the inside.

Next, the call connection operation from the main unit 1 to the base station 40 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when a user (not shown) wants to make a call to the other party (not shown), the user operates the main body 1 to display a call screen as shown in FIG. ). Up to this point, the operation is the same as the operation of the conventional portable information terminal 200 shown in FIG. Next, when the user touches the off-hook icon 31 (S21),
The input recognition unit 4 notifies the main body control unit 8 that the off-hook icon 31 has been touched. Thereby, the main body control unit 8 causes the pen communication unit 7 to output the connection request at the time of calling (S2).
2), together with the data processing unit 12 and the demultiplexing unit 13
Start up.

When the main body communication section 27 inputs the connection request at the time of calling, it notifies the pen control section 26. As a result, the pen control unit 26 energizes the audio processing unit 23 by the power supply 25 to enable the use of the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 (S23), and causes the speaker 21 to output a tone generated by the oscillator 24 (S2).
4). Next, the pen control unit 26 causes the main body communication unit 27 to output a connection response at the time of calling (S25).

The pen communication section 7 which has received the connection response at the time of transmission notifies the main body control section 8. As a result, the main body control unit 8 enters a waiting state for the other party's telephone number. In this state, when the user inputs the telephone number of the other party using, for example, the ten keys 33 (S26), the input recognition unit 4 notifies the external communication unit 2 of the input telephone number, and the telephone number is transmitted to the main body control unit 8. Notify that it was entered. Thereby, the main body control unit 8 causes the external communication unit 2 to output a call using the input telephone number (S27). Further, the external communication unit 2 that has input the call permission for the call (S28) notifies the main body control unit 8.

As a result, the main body controller 8 controls the pen communicator 7
Output a call start request (S29). The main body communication unit 27 that has input the call start request notifies the pen control unit 26. As a result, the pen control unit 26 stops the tone generated by the oscillator 24 to enable communication (S30), and causes the main body communication unit 27 to output a communication start response (S31). The pen communication unit 7 that has input the call start response notifies the main body control unit 8. As a result, the main body control unit 8 enters a talking state, and the portable information terminal can talk with the other party using the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 in the pen 20 (not shown).

Next, an operation of disconnecting a call from the base station 40 to the main unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the external communication unit 2 inputs a disconnection request from the base station 40 while the main control unit 8 is in a call state, the main control unit 8 is notified (S40). Accordingly, the main body control unit 8 causes the external communication unit 2 to output a disconnection response (S41), and causes the pen communication unit 7 to output a disconnection notification (S42), and enters an on-hook waiting state. The main body communication unit 27 that has received the disconnection notification notifies the pen control unit 26. Thereby, the pen control unit 26 causes the speaker 21 to output the cutting sound by the oscillator 24 (S43).

Next, when the user (not shown) touches the on-hook icon 30 (S44), the input recognizing unit 4 determines that the on-hook icon 30 has been touched by the main body control unit 8.
Notify. As a result, the main body control unit 8 sets the pen communication unit 7
Output a disconnection request (S45). The main body communication unit 27 that has received the disconnection request notifies the pen control unit 26. As a result, the pen control unit 26 stops the disconnection sound from the oscillator 24 (S46), stops the power supply 25 from energizing the audio processing unit 23 (S47), and causes the main body communication unit 27 to output a disconnection response (S48). ). The pen communication unit 7 that has received the disconnection response notifies the main body control unit 8. This allows
The main controller 8 returns to the state where the call is released.

Next, the operation of disconnecting a call from the main unit 1 to the base station 40 will be described with reference to FIG. When the main body control unit 8 is in a call state, the user (not shown) may use the on-hook icon 30.
(S60), the input recognition unit 4 notifies the main body control unit 8 that the on-hook icon 30 has been touched. Accordingly, the main body control unit 8 causes the external communication unit 2 to output a disconnection request (S61), and causes the pen communication unit 7 to output a disconnection request (S62).

The main body communication unit 27 that has received the disconnection request notifies the pen control unit 26. As a result, the pen controller 26 stops the power supply 25 from energizing the audio processor 23 (S63), and causes the main body communication unit 27 to output a disconnection response (S64). The pen communication unit 7 that has received the disconnection response notifies the main body control unit 8. Also, a disconnection response is input (S
65) The external communication unit 2 notifies the main body control unit 7. Thereby, the main body control unit 8 returns to the state where the call is released.

With the above operation, the portable information terminal of the present invention is provided with the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 provided on the pen 20.
Thus, it is possible to talk with the other party while looking at the display unit 3. Further, since the power supply to the voice processing unit 23 is limited to only the call state, the power consumption of the power supply unit 25 can be reduced.
A long-time call with the pen 20 becomes possible. In this embodiment, in order to reduce power consumption, an infrared device that uses very little power is used for the pen communication unit 7 and the main body communication unit 27, so that a long-time call using the pen 20 is possible.

When the pen 20 is stored in the pen storage section 9, the pen communication section 7 and the main body communication section 27 are at opposing positions, and the speaker 21 and the microphone 22 are at positions that are not hidden by the main body 1. Therefore, the input control to the display unit 3 is controlled by the pen 2
By operating with an input means other than 0 (for example, a stick-shaped input means such as a finger or a pencil), a call can be made while the pen 20 is stored in the main body 1.

In the above-mentioned incoming call operation, the user touches the off-hook icon 31 as shown in FIG. 4 (S8).
Although the input recognition unit 4 has notified the main body control unit 8 that the off-hook operation has been performed, the pen-hook detection unit 6 may be used to detect the off-hook operation. Less than,
The off-hook detection operation by the pen storage detection unit 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this case, it is assumed that the pen 20 is stored in the pen storage unit 9 in advance.

The operations in S1 to S7 are the same as those described above, and the description is omitted. The pen communication unit 7 that has received the incoming connection response in S7 notifies the main body control unit 8. This allows
The main body control unit 1 enters an off-hook waiting state. Next, when a user (not shown) removes the pen 20 stored in the pen storage unit 9, the pen storage detection unit 6 detects a state change due to the removal operation of the pen 20 and notifies the input recognition unit 4. I do. Thereby, the input recognition unit 4 notifies the main body control unit 8 that the off-hook icon 31 has been touched.
Hereinafter, the operations in S9 to S10 are the same as those described above, and description thereof will be omitted.

The above operation also enables the off-hook operation. In addition, in the state of waiting for an incoming call, the user (not shown) often stores the pen 20 in the pen storage unit 9. Therefore, when the above function is added, the off-hook icon 31 is displayed after the pen 20 is taken out. A call state can be established without touching, and it becomes easier for a user (not shown) to handle.

In this embodiment, infrared communication is used for communication between the pen communication section 7 and the main body communication section 27. However, low-power wireless communication may be used. In this case, communication is possible even if an obstacle is interposed between the pen communication unit 7 and the main body communication unit 27. For example, the pen 20 is taken out of the main body 1 stored in a bag to talk with the other party. You can also. In such a case, if the pen 20 is provided with an on-hook / off-hook function, the incoming call connection operation and the call disconnection operation can be performed using only the pen 20, and the operation becomes easier.

For example, in the case of the incoming call connection operation, the operation of S8 in FIG. 4 can be easily realized by substituting the on-hook / off-hook function mounted on the pen 20. In the case of the call disconnection operation, the operation in S44 shown in FIG. 6 and the operation in S60 shown in FIG. 7 can be easily realized by substituting the on-hook / off-hook function mounted on the pen 20. In addition, when the pen 20 is provided with a vibrator function and receives an incoming call from the other party, instead of letting the user notify the user of the incoming call by the buzzer 10, if the user is notified of the incoming call by the vibrator function, the surroundings are not noticed. The other party can notify the user of the incoming call. In addition, since the user can talk with the other party by using the pen 20, even when receiving an incoming call, the user can talk with the other party without taking out the main body 1.

[0037]

According to the present invention, in a portable information terminal, a voice input / output unit for inputting / outputting a voice is provided in an input unit, and the input unit transmits / receives a voice from the voice input / output unit to / from a main body of the portable information terminal. A main unit for transmitting / receiving a voice to / from the input unit / side transmitting / receiving unit, wherein a side transmitting / receiving unit is provided in the input unit, and a power supply for supplying power to the audio input / output unit and the input unit / side transmitting / receiving unit is provided to the input unit The side transmitting / receiving section is provided in the portable information terminal main body, and the voice communication means performs voice communication with the outside using the external communication section, the voice input / output section, the input means side transmitting / receiving section and the main body side transmitting / receiving section. In addition, when the user makes a call with the other party, the call can be made by the input means separate from the portable information terminal body, so that there is an effect that the call can be made while looking at the display unit provided in the portable information terminal body.

Further, according to the next invention, the portable information terminal supplies power to the voice input / output unit when the voice communication means controls the power supply and talks to the outside, so that the voice input / output unit is not used except during the call. Since power is not applied to the unit, power can be saved and the power of the input unit can be used for a long time.

Further, according to the next invention, the portable information terminal uses infrared communication means for transmission and reception between the transmission means on the input means side and the transmission / reception part on the main body side. There is an effect that can be used for a long time.

Further, according to the next invention, the portable information terminal uses the radio wave communication means for transmission and reception between the transmission / reception section on the input means side and the transmission / reception section on the main body side. There is an effect that a call can be made even if there is an obstacle.

According to the next invention, the portable information terminal is provided with a storage section for storing the input means in a predetermined form in the main body of the portable information terminal, and when the input means is stored in the storage section, an input means is provided. Since the means-side transmitting / receiving section and the main body-side transmitting / receiving section face each other and the voice input / output section is arranged at a talkable position, it is possible to make a call with the other party even in a state where the input means is stored in the storage section. There is.

Further, according to the next invention, the portable information terminal is provided with a storage detection section for detecting the state of the input means in the storage section, and the portable information terminal receives a call from the other party while the input means is stored in the storage section. In this case, the storage detecting unit detects the state in which the input unit is taken out of the storage unit and notifies the voice communication unit that the off-hook operation has been performed, so that the user can use the hook function provided in the portable information terminal. There is no need to operate, which has the effect of simplifying the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

2 is a schematic view of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which a pen is taken out of a main body, and FIG. 2 (b)
Indicates a state in which the pen is stored in the main body.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outgoing / incoming call screen.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an incoming call connection operation from a base station to a main unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a call connection operation from a main body to a base station.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of disconnecting a call from a base station to a main unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of disconnecting a call from a main body to a base station.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a conventional portable information terminal.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another conventional portable information terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 portable information terminal body, 2 external communication section, 3 display section,
4 input recognition unit, 5 display control unit, 6 pen storage detection unit,
7 pen communication unit, 8 main unit control unit, 9 pen storage unit, 1
0 buzzer, 12 data processing unit, 13 demultiplexing unit,
20 pen, 21 speaker, 22 microphone, 23 sound processing unit, 24 oscillator, 25 power supply, 26 pen control unit, 27 main unit communication unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04M 1/02 H04M 1/23 Z 1/23 H04B 7/26 X

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable information terminal main body having a data input unit, a display unit, and an external communication unit enabling voice communication with the outside, a rod-shaped input unit separate from the portable information terminal main unit, An audio input / output unit provided in the input unit, for inputting / outputting audio; an input unit transmitting / receiving unit provided in the input unit, for transmitting / receiving audio from the audio input / output unit to / from the portable information terminal main unit; A power supply provided in the input means and supplying power to the voice input / output unit and the input means side transmission / reception unit; a main body side transmission / reception provided in the portable information terminal main body and transmitting / receiving audio to / from the input means side transmission / reception unit And a voice communication unit for performing voice communication with the outside using the external communication unit, the voice input / output unit, the input unit side transmission / reception unit, and the main body side transmission / reception unit. . 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the voice communication unit supplies power to the voice input / output unit when controlling a power supply and talking with the outside. 3. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein infrared communication means is used for transmission and reception between the input means side transmission / reception section and the main body side transmission / reception section. 4. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein radio wave communication means is used for transmission and reception between the input means side transmission / reception section and the main body side transmission / reception section. 5. The portable information terminal main body is provided with a storage section for storing input means in a predetermined form, and when the input means is stored in the storage section, the input means side transmitting / receiving section and the main body side transmitting / receiving section face each other. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the voice input / output unit is arranged at a callable position. 6. A storage unit for detecting a state of an input means in a storage unit, wherein when an incoming call is received from a counterpart while the input means is stored in the storage unit, the storage detection unit switches the input means to the storage unit. 6. The portable information terminal according to claim 5, wherein the portable information terminal detects a state of being taken out of the storage unit and notifies the voice communication unit that an off-hook operation has been performed.