Patent Publication Number: US-2011070844-A1

Title: Electronic apparatus and data communication system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     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. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram showing an appearance of a communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention as viewed from the side of a front face; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary diagram showing the appearance of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention as viewed from the side of a back face; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary diagram showing a communication state of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary diagram showing an internal configuration of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary functional block diagram of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary flowchart of a communication control process which is executed by the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary diagram showing a communication state of a communication apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary diagram showing a communication state of a communication apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary flowchart of a communication control process which is executed by the communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . 
     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  FIGS. 1-3 . Communication apparatus are denoted by reference symbols “ 1 A” and “ 1 B” when they are described separately and denoted by reference symbol “ 1 ” when they need not. 
       FIG. 1  shows an appearance of the communication apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side of a front face  14 . The communication apparatus  1  includes a case  2 , a display  3 , a speaker  5 , a communication antenna  7 , an acceleration sensor  9 , and an user interface  11 . In the first embodiment, the face provided with the display  3  is called the front face  14  and the face opposite to the front face  14  is called a back face  15 . Frontal orientation of the communication apparatus  1  is defined as such orientation that the front face  14  is seen when the communication apparatus  1  is viewed from right above. Backward orientation of the communication apparatus  1  is defined as such orientation that the back face  15  is seen when the communication apparatus  1  is viewed from right above. 
     The case  2  is assembled by fitting a case cover  2 A into or with a case base  2 B. Various electronic components are housed in the case  2 . 
     The display  3  occupies a central space of the case cover  2 A and displays, for example, data to be sent or received by the communication apparatus  1 . A touchscreen  3 A is laid on the front face of the display  3 . The touchscreen  3 A is an input device for inputting an operation signal corresponding to information displayed on the display  3  when the user touches the touchscreen  3 A at a display position of the information. Instead of the touchscreen  3 A, 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  10 A and a movement detector  10 B. 
     The user interface  11  consists of buttons that occupy openings formed on the case cover  2 A and accept various operations made by the user. 
       FIG. 2  shows an appearance of the communication apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side of the back face  15 . The communication antenna  7  is housed in the case  2 . The communication direction of the communication antenna  7  is the direction toward the back face  15  (i.e., the positive direction along the Z axis shown in  FIG. 2 ). A wireless communication is executed in a state that the back faces  15  of communication apparatuses  1  are opposed to each other in the Z direction. 
       FIG. 3  shows a communication state of communication apparatuses  1 A and  1 B according to the first embodiment. The communication apparatuses  1 A and  1 B communicate with each other in a state that their back faces  15  are opposed to each other. The first embodiment assumes a wireless communication having a communication distance of several centimeters. 
       FIG. 4  shows the internal configuration of the communication apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 4  shows a state that the communication apparatus  1  has backward orientation and the case base  2 B is removed. The speaker  5 , the communication antenna  7 , the acceleration sensor  9 , and an HDD  12  are housed in the case  2 . 
     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 . 
       FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment. 
     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  10 A and the communication controller  8  sets the transmission mode if the communication apparatus  1  has frontal orientation. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the communication controller  8  sets the transmission mode in the communication apparatus  1 A and sets the reception mode in the communication apparatus  1 B. In this manner, the communication mode can be switched according to the orientation of the communication apparatus  1 . 
     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  10 A detects whether the communication apparatus  1  has frontal orientation or not and the movement detector  10 B 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  2 A or the touchscreen  3 A. 
     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 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a communication control process of the communication apparatus  1 A according to the first embodiment. The communication control process which is executed by the communication controller  8  of the communication apparatus  1 A will be described below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     First, at step S 11 , the communication controller  8  determines whether or not it detects a counterpart communication apparatus  1 B via the communication antenna  7 , that is, whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus  1 B exists within the communication distance of the communication apparatus  1 A in a state that the back faces  15  of the communication apparatuses  1 A and  1 B are opposed to each other. 
     If it is determined that a counterpart communication apparatus  1 B is not detected (S 11 : no), the process returns to step S 11 . On the other hand, if determined that a counterpart communication apparatus  1 B is detected, the communication controller  8  determines at step S 12  whether or not a prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus  1 B is kept detected. Setting the prescribed time at several seconds and detecting continuation of the detection of the communication apparatus  1 B allow a determination that the back faces  15  of the communication apparatuses  1 A and  1 B 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  1 B is kept detected (S 12 : no), the communication control process is finished. That is, a wireless communication is not executed if the communication apparatus  1 B that was detected at step S 11  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  1 B is kept detected (S 12 : yes), orientation of the communication apparatus  1 A is detected at step S 13 . This is done by the orientation detector  10 A based on data indicating acceleration of the communication apparatus  1 A that is detected by the acceleration sensor  9 . 
     At step S 14 , the communication controller  8  determines whether or not the communication apparatus  1 A has frontal orientation based on the detection result of the orientation detector  10 A. If determined that the communication apparatus  1 A has frontal orientation (S 14 : yes), at step S 15  the communication controller  8  switches to the transmission mode. At step S 16 , the communication controller  8  sends file data stored in the specified folder to the counterpart communication apparatus  1 B. 
     At step S 17 , 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 S 18 , 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 (S 18 : no), the process returns to step S 13 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data transmission has completed (S 18 : yes), the communication control process is finished. 
     If it is determined that the communication apparatus  1 A has backward orientation (S 14 : no), at step S 19  the communication controller  8  switches to the reception mode. At step S 20 , the communication controller  8  stores received file data in the specified folder. 
     At step S 21 , 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 S 21  may be omitted. That is, the display of a data reception status may be omitted because the display  3  of the communication apparatus  1 A in which the reception mode is set is directed downward and hence the user has difficulty recognizing a display on it. 
     At step S 22 , 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 (S 22 : no), the process returns to step S 13 . On the other hand, if determined that the data reception has completed (S 22 : yes), at step S 23  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  1 A and  1 B 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  1 A is directed downward, a data communication is executed in a state that the counterpart communication apparatus  1 B is located under the communication apparatus  1 A. 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  1 A and  1 B 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  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  shows a communication state of communication apparatuses  1 C and  1 D according to the second embodiment. 
     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  FIG. 7 ). A wireless communication is executed in a state that the front faces  14  are opposed to each other in the Z direction. 
     In the second embodiment, the transmission mode is set if the communication apparatus  1  has frontal orientation. In the example of  FIG. 7 , the transmission mode is set in a communication apparatus  1 D and the reception mode is set in a communication apparatus  1 C having backward orientation. In this manner, the communication mode can be switched according to the orientation of the communication apparatus  1 . 
     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  1 C 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  1 D one after another without moving the communication apparatus  1 D 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  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 8  shows a communication state of communication apparatuses  1 E and  1 F according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the communication mode is switched according to the movement of the communication apparatus  1  rather than its orientation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the communication direction of the communication antenna  7  of each of communication apparatuses  1 E and  1 F is the direction toward the back face  15 . Therefore, a wireless communication is executed in a state that the back faces  15  are opposed to each other. 
     In the third embodiment, the communication controller  8  detects a movement and a movement direction of the communication apparatus  1  with the movement detector  10 B 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  FIG. 8 , it is assumed that the communication apparatus  1 E is moving in the direction from the front face  14  to the back face  15  so as to come closer to the communication apparatus  1 F. Therefore, the communication apparatus  1 E is set to the transmission mode. In the following description, if the communication apparatus  1  is moving in the direction from the front face  14  to the back face  15 , it is described as moving forward. 
     Next, how in the third embodiment the communication mode is switched according to the movement of the communication apparatus  1 E will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a communication control process which is executed by the communication apparatus  1 E according to the third embodiment. 
     First, at step S 31 , the communication controller  8  detects a movement direction of the communication apparatus  1 E. A movement of the communication apparatus  1 E is actually detected by the movement detector  10 B based on data indicating acceleration of the communication apparatus  1 E that is detected by the acceleration sensor  9 . 
     At step S 32 , the communication controller  8  determines whether or not the communication apparatus  1 E is moving forward based on the detection result of the movement detector  10 B. If determined that the communication apparatus  1 E is moving forward (S 32 : yes), at step S 33  the communication controller  8  switches to the transmission mode. On the other hand, if determined that the communication apparatus  1 E is not moving forward (S 32 : no), at step S 34  the communication controller  8  switches to the reception mode. That is, the reception mode is set if the communication apparatus  1 E is not moving or is moving backward. 
     At step S 35 , the communication controller  8  determines whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus  1 F is detected via the communication antenna  7 , that is, whether or not a counterpart communication apparatus  1 F exists within the communication distance of the communication apparatus  1 E in a state that the back faces  15  of the communication apparatuses  1 E and  1 F are opposed to each other. 
     If it is determined that a counterpart communication apparatus  1 B is not detected (S 35 : no), the process returns to step S 35 . On the other hand, if determined that a counterpart communication apparatus  1 F is detected, the communication controller  8  determines at step S 36  whether or not a prescribed time has elapsed in a state that the communication apparatus  1 F is kept detected. Setting the prescribed time at several seconds and detecting continuation of the detection of the communication apparatus  1 F allow a determination that the back faces  15  of the communication apparatuses  1 E and  1 F 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  1 F is kept detected (S 36 : no), the communication control process is finished. That is, a wireless communication is not executed if the communication apparatus  1 F that was detected at step S 35  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  1 F is kept detected (S 36 : yes), at step S 37  the communication controller  8  sends or receives a file to or from the counterpart communication apparatus  1 F. That is, the communication apparatus  1 E sends a file that is stored in the specified folder to the counterpart communication apparatus  1 F if the communication apparatus  1 E is in the transmission mode, and the communication apparatus  1 E stores a received file in the specified folder if it is in the reception mode. 
     At step S 38 , 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 S 39 , 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 (S 39 : no), the process returns to step S 36 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the data transmission or reception has completed (S 39 : yes), at step S 40  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  1 E which is to transmit data by merely bringing it close to the communication apparatus  1 F. 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.