JP2007020005A - Non-contact transmitting/receiving system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the inconveniences wherein an external reader/writer cannot transmit and receive data to and from the portable telephone of a carrier having different specifications. <P>SOLUTION: A non-contact transmitting/receiving system comprises a non-contact IC capable of reading and writing data without any contact, a personal digital assistant holding the non-contact IC, a portable-terminal-side application executed on the personal digital assistant, and the external reader/writer capable of reading and writing the data of the non-contact IC held by the personal digital assistant without any contact. The non-contact IC stores carrier identification information for identifying the carrier providing the personal digital assistant in an identification region. The external reader/writer acquires the carrier identification information stored in a specific area in the non-contact IC when the personal digital assistant approaches within a prescribed range, and transmits information based on the acquired carrier identification information to the non-contact IC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a contactless transmission / reception system. In particular, the present invention relates to a contactless transmission / reception system in which an application is activated on a portable information terminal based on an activation request from an external read / write device.

  A mobile phone equipped with a non-contact IC and an IC read / write device that reads / writes data from / to the non-contact IC of the mobile phone are known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this case, the mobile phone and the IC read / write device transmit and receive data according to a predetermined format based on the format of the recording area of the non-contact IC.

In addition, the mobile phone with a non-contact IC receives an activation request from the IC read / write device, and activates an application stored in the cellular phone. In this case, the IC read / write device transmits an activation request having a predetermined format for activating the application to the application.
JP 2005-108044 A

  However, if the format of the recording area of the non-contact IC is different for each provider providing the mobile phone, there is a problem that the IC read / write device and the mobile phone cannot transmit and receive data.

  In addition, if the format for starting an application is different for each provider that provides the mobile phone, there is a problem that the mobile phone application cannot be started from the IC read / write device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a non-contact IC capable of reading and writing data in a non-contact manner, a portable information terminal holding the non-contact IC, and a portable information terminal are executed. When the portable information terminal and the portable information terminal approach within a predetermined range, the non-contact IC data held in the portable information terminal is contactless when the portable information terminal controls reading / writing of the non-contact IC data by the portable information terminal. A non-contact transmission / reception system including an external read / write device capable of reading and writing, wherein the non-contact IC stores business operator specifying information for specifying a business providing a portable information terminal in a specific area. The read / write device acquires the business operator identification information stored in the specific area of the non-contact IC when the portable information terminal approaches within a predetermined range from the external read / write device, and acquires the business operator It transmits the information according to the constant information to the contactless IC.

  As a result, the external read / write device can identify the business operator that provides the portable information terminal holding the non-contact IC. Further, the external read / write device can transmit information corresponding to the specified business operator to the portable information terminal according to the specification of the specified business operator.

  The external read / write device stores an activation request that activates the mobile terminal side application in association with the operator identification information, and transmits the activation request associated with the operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC. The mobile terminal side application may be activated via the non-contact IC.

  Thereby, the external read / write device transmits a start request for starting the mobile terminal side application corresponding to the specified business operator to the mobile terminal side application according to the specified business operator's specification, and starts the mobile terminal side application. Can do.

  The external read / write device stores the content in association with the business operator identification information, and may write the content associated with the business operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC into the non-contact IC.

  Thereby, the external read / write device can write the content corresponding to the specified business operator to the non-contact IC according to the specification of the specified business operator.

  As a result, the external read / write device can write the content in an appropriate format to the non-contact IC held by the portable information terminal according to the provider providing the portable information terminal holding the non-contact IC. .

  The external read / write device has a display unit, and when the operator identification information stored in the non-contact IC cannot be acquired, and the operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC is stored in the external read / write device in advance. An error may be displayed on the display unit when the information is not included in the operator identification information.

  Thereby, the external read / write device can visually notify the user of the external read / write device that it has not been possible to identify the provider providing the portable information terminal.

  The external read / write device fails to acquire the business operator identification information stored in the non-contact IC, and the business operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC is stored in advance in the business operator identification information stored in the external read / write device. If not included, a specific command may be transmitted to the mobile terminal side application via the non-contact IC.

  Thereby, the external read / write device can notify the user of the portable information terminal that it has not been specified when the provider providing the portable information terminal cannot be identified.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the external read / write device identifies a business operator that provides a portable information terminal that holds a non-contact IC, and stores information according to the identified business operator. It can be transmitted to the portable information terminal according to the specification of the specified business operator.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a contactless transmission / reception system 10. The non-contact transmission / reception system 10 is held in the portable information terminal 200 when the portable information terminal 200 holding the non-contact IC 220 capable of reading and writing data without contact and the portable information terminal 200 approaches within a predetermined range. An external read / write device 100 capable of reading and writing data of the non-contact IC 220 in a non-contact manner, and a computer 300 connected to the external read / write device 100 are provided. The external read / write device 100 includes a display unit 106. The external read / write device 100 and the portable information terminal 200 communicate with each other in a non-contact manner using radio waves. The computer 300 transmits / receives information regarding communication between the portable information terminals 200 to / from the external read / write device 100. The external read / write device 100 and the computer 300 are installed in a store or the like that provides a service related to the non-contact IC 220.

  An example of the portable information terminal 200 is a cellular phone, which makes a call or communication with another cellular phone using a known network. Also, the portable information terminal 200 can access the web server via the network, download an application for the portable information terminal 200, and browse a web page.

  When the portable information terminal 200 approaches the predetermined range from the external read / write device 100, the non-contact IC 220 held by the portable information terminal 200 receives the radio wave transmitted from the external read / write device 100. The non-contact IC 220 obtains an electromotive force from the received radio wave. Further, the non-contact IC 220 acquires information carried by this radio wave. Then, the non-contact IC 220 transmits the data of the non-contact IC 220 to the external read / write device 100 by radio waves using the obtained electromotive force. The non-contact IC 220 includes a battery or the like, and may transmit / receive using this power source. An example of the transmission / reception method is Felica (registered trademark), but is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a block diagram of the contactless transmission / reception system 10. The portable information terminal 200 includes a portable terminal-side application 230 that runs and runs on the portable information terminal 200. The non-contact IC 220 includes an input / output unit 222 that transmits and receives radio waves between the portable information terminal 200 and the external read / write device 100, and a recording area 224 that records data. The recording area 224 includes a specific area 226 for storing a business ID that identifies a business providing the portable information terminal 200. The non-contact IC 220 stores the business operator ID in the specific area 226.

  When the input / output unit 222 receives an activation request from the external read / write device 100, the input / output unit 222 transfers the activation request to the mobile terminal side application 230. Further, the input / output unit 222 receives data written to the recording area 224 and outputs data read from the recording area 224 under the control of the mobile terminal side application 230 and the external read / write device 100.

  In areas other than the specific area 226 in the recording area 224, content such as coupons, information generated by the mobile terminal side application 230, and the like are recorded. Except for the specific area 226, the recording area 224 differs in the format of data to be recorded and the like depending on the provider providing the portable information terminal 200.

  The external read / write device 100 includes an input / output unit 102 that transmits / receives radio waves to / from the portable information terminal 200, a determination unit 104 that determines an operator ID acquired by the input / output unit 102, a display unit 106 that displays an error, and And a storage unit 108 for storing a business ID and the like.

  The input / output unit 102 requests an operator ID from the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 and receives the operator ID stored in the specific area 226 from the non-contact IC 220. Furthermore, the input / output unit 102 outputs the received business ID stored in the specific area 226 to the determination unit 104. Furthermore, the input / output unit 102 receives information based on the business operator ID from the determination unit 104 and transmits information based on the business operator ID to the non-contact IC 220.

  The storage unit 108 stores a business ID that identifies a business providing the portable information terminal 200 and information based on the business ID. The storage unit 108 stores, for example, an activation request, content, or the like that activates the mobile terminal-side application 230 in association with the provider ID as information based on the provider ID. For example, the storage unit 108 stores coupons, banner advertisements, music, images, and the like as the contents. The storage unit 108 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The determination unit 104 receives the business operator ID stored in the specific area 226 from the input / output unit 102. As a result, the external read / write device 100 identifies the business operator that provides the portable information terminal 200 that holds the non-contact IC 220. Further, the determination unit 104 compares the business operator ID with the business operator ID previously stored in the storage unit 108, and the business operator ID stored in the specific area 226 of the non-contact IC 220 is stored in the storage unit 108. It is determined whether or not it is included in the business ID stored in advance. Further, when the determination unit 104 determines that the business ID stored in the specific area 226 is included in the business ID previously stored in the storage unit 108, the determination unit 104 refers to the storage unit 108 to Information based on the business ID is output to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100.

  When the business unit ID stored in the non-contact IC 220 cannot be acquired, the display unit 106 includes the business ID acquired from the non-contact IC 220 in the business ID stored in the external read / write device 100 in advance. If not, an error is displayed.

  In the above configuration, when the portable information terminal 200 approaches within a predetermined range from the external read / write device 100, the operator ID stored in the specific area 226 of the non-contact IC 220 is acquired, and based on the acquired operator ID The information is transmitted to the non-contact IC 220. Thereby, the external read / write device 100 can transmit information corresponding to the specified business operator to the portable information terminal 200 according to the specification of the specified business operator.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of information stored in the storage unit 108 of the external read / write device 100. As shown in FIG. 3A, the storage unit 108 shown in FIG. 3 associates a database A that stores information in association with an operator ID and an operator ID as shown in FIG. 3B. Database B for storing information is stored.

  The database A includes a business ID, a request for starting a proper format used by the business specified by the business ID, and a proper format used by the business specified by the business ID. Are stored in association with each other. That is, the activation request stored in the storage unit 108 differs in data format and the like depending on the provider providing the portable information terminal 200. Therefore, the storage unit 108 stores a proper activation request corresponding to each data format of each provider providing the portable information terminal 200. In addition, the storage unit 108 stores appropriate content corresponding to the format of the recording area 224 of each business operator providing the portable information terminal 200.

  Further, the database B stores an error and a specific command in association with the situation of reading the business operator ID. This specific command is preferably a command that causes one mobile terminal-side application 230 to perform the same operation on the mobile information terminal 200 of each business operator. Note that the storage unit 108 updates information to be stored in response to an input from the computer 300.

  Here, the storage unit 108 may store activation request data as an activation request stored in the database A, or may store an identification code for identifying the activation request. When storing the identification code for identifying the activation request, the storage unit 108 separately stores the activation request data in association with the identification code. The storage unit 108 may store other information such as contents and errors in the same form.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data format of the activation request transmitted from the external read / write device 100. 4A shows an example of the data format for the activation request “N0001” shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B shows an example of the data format for the activation request “A0001” shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the data format of the activation request “N0001” has a number of individual copies, a plurality of individual portions, and a checksum field used for error control. The number of individual parts indicates the total number of individual parts that follow. The individual unit indicates information for specifying a function to be activated by the portable information terminal 200. The individual unit includes fields for individual unit headers having activation control information and individual unit parameter sizes, and individual unit parameters. The activation control information indicates information for specifying a function to be activated on the portable information terminal 200. The individual part parameter size indicates the transmission size of the individual part parameter that follows. The individual part parameter indicates information that limits a function to be activated on the portable information terminal 200 from the functions specified by the activation control information. Specifically, the individual unit parameter includes fields of a service provider number and an application number that limit the mobile terminal-side application 230 that is activated on the mobile information terminal 200.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the data format of the activation request of the activation request “A0001” is at least an application version field that the activation request “N0001” does not have. Different from the data format of the request “N0001”.

  Therefore, for example, even when the external read / write device 100 transmits the activation request “A0001” to the portable information terminal 200 provided by the business operator with the business ID “N001”, the business with the business operator ID “A001” is conversely transmitted. Even if the activation request “N0001” is transmitted to the portable information terminal 200 provided by the user, the portable terminal side application 230 cannot be activated normally.

  Similarly, the specifications relating to the format and the like of the recording area 224 excluding the specific area 226 are different for each provider that provides the portable information terminal 200, so the external read / write device 100 has the provider ID “N001”. Normal access to the recording area 224 held in the mobile information terminal 200 of the business operator using a command to access the recording area 224 held in the mobile information terminal 200 of the business operator ID “A001” I can't.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the contactless transmission / reception system 10. This flowchart starts when the portable information terminal 200 approaches from the external read / write device 100 within a predetermined range. When the external read / write device 100 receives data of the non-contact IC 220 from the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220, the external read / write device 100 determines that the portable information terminal 200 has approached a predetermined range.

  The external read / write device 100 acquires the business operator ID stored in the specific area 226 (S102). More specifically, the external read / write device 100 transmits a request for reading information by accessing the specific area 226 to the non-contact IC 220, and based on this request, the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 stores in the specific area 226. The read business ID is read and transmitted to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. The input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100 outputs the received business ID stored in the specific area 226 to the determination unit 104.

  The external read / write device 100 may acquire this business ID as “data of the non-contact IC 220”, which determines that the mobile information terminal 200 has approached within a predetermined range, or the mobile information terminal 200 You may acquire this provider ID anew after judging that it approached within the range.

  As a result, the external read / write device 100 can identify the business operator that provides the portable information terminal 200 that holds the non-contact IC 220.

  Next, the external read / write device 100 determines whether or not the acquired company ID is included in the company ID stored in the storage unit 108 in advance (S104). More specifically, the determination unit 104 collates the business operator ID acquired from the non-contact IC 220 by the input / output unit 102 with the business operator ID stored in the storage unit 108 in advance.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, when the determination unit 104 inputs a business ID stored in the specific area 226 from the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100, for example, “N001”, the business ID field of the database A , It is determined that the business operator ID “N001” is stored in the business operator ID field. On the other hand, when the business unit ID stored in the specific area 226, for example, “B001”, is input from the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100, the determination unit 104 refers to the business ID field of the database A. Therefore, it is determined that the business operator ID “B001” is not stored in the business operator ID field.

  In step S104, when the external read / write device 100 determines that the acquired business operator ID is included in the business operator ID stored in the storage unit 108 in advance (S104: Yes), it corresponds to the acquired business operator ID. The attached activation request is transmitted to the mobile terminal side application 230 (S108, S202). More specifically, the determination unit 104 outputs the activation request stored in the storage unit 108 in association with the business operator ID to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. The input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100 transmits this activation request to the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220. The input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 outputs the received activation request to the mobile terminal side application 230. In this case, the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 outputs the activation request to the portable terminal side application 230 specified by the application number included in the activation request.

  For example, the determination unit 104 refers to the database A and outputs the activation request “N0001” associated with the business operator ID “N001” or the content “coupon 1” to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. .

  Thereby, the external read / write device 100 according to the specification of the specified operator, the information according to the specified operator, specifically, the activation request for starting the mobile terminal side application 230 according to the specified operator. By transmitting to the mobile terminal side application 230, the mobile terminal side application 230 can be started.

  The mobile terminal-side application 230 that has received the activation request performs processing with the external read / write device 100 (S302, S110). This process is, for example, a process of reading the identification number of the service from an area other than the specific area 226 in the recording area 224 in order to confirm whether the owner of the portable information terminal 200 has subscribed to the specific service, For example, a process of writing information for adding points to this area by using the service.

  On the other hand, when the external read / write device 100 determines in step S104 that the acquired business operator ID is not included in the business operator ID stored in the storage unit 108 in advance (S104: No), an error is displayed on the display unit 106. Is displayed (S112). More specifically, the determination unit 104 outputs the error stored in the storage unit 108 to the display unit 106. The display unit 106 displays the input error.

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the determination unit 104 refers to the database B and outputs an error “Unsupported business operator” to the display unit 106.

  Thereby, the external read / write device 100 can visually notify the user of the external read / write device 100 that it has not been specified when the business operator providing the portable information terminal 200 cannot be specified.

  In this case (S104: No), the external read / write device 100 transmits a specific command to the mobile terminal side application 230 via the non-contact IC 220 (S114, S204). More specifically, the determination unit 104 outputs a specific command stored in the storage unit 108 to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. The input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100 transmits this specific command to the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220. The input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 outputs this specific command to the mobile terminal side application 230.

  For example, in this case, the determination unit 104 refers to the database B instead of or in addition to outputting the error to the display unit 106, and inputs / outputs the specific command “specific command 2” to / from the external read / write device 100. Output to the unit 102.

  Thereby, the external read / write device 100 can notify the user of the portable information terminal 200 that it has not been able to identify the provider providing the portable information terminal 200 when it cannot be identified.

  In step S104, when the external read / write device 100 determines that the acquired provider ID is included in the provider ID stored in the storage unit 108 in advance (S104: Yes), the mobile terminal side application 230 Instead of or in addition to the transmission of the activation request to the server (S108, S202), the content associated with the acquired company ID may be written in the non-contact IC 220.

  More specifically, the determination unit 104 outputs the content stored in the storage unit 108 in association with the same business ID as the business ID stored in the specific area 226 to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. . The input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100 transmits this content to the input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220. The input / output unit 222 of the non-contact IC 220 stores the received content in an area other than the specific area 226 in the recording area 224.

  Thereby, the external read / write device 100 can write content corresponding to the specified business operator into the non-contact IC 220 according to the specification of the specified business operator.

  When the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100 cannot acquire the business operator ID stored in the specific area 226, an error is displayed on the display unit 106 (S112) or the mobile terminal side through the non-contact IC 220 A specific command is transmitted to the application 230 (S114, S204).

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, when the determination unit 104 cannot input the business operator ID stored in the specific area 226 from the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100, the error “ “The business ID cannot be read out” is output to the display unit 106. In this case, the determination unit 104 refers to the database B instead of or in addition to outputting an error to the display unit 106, and sends the specific command “specific command 1” to the input / output unit 102 of the external read / write device 100. Output to.

  The external read / write device 100 includes an audio output unit, and when the business ID stored in the non-contact IC 220 cannot be acquired, and the business ID acquired from the non-contact IC 220 is stored in the external read / write device 100 in advance. If it is not included in the stored business ID, the voice may be output from the voice output unit. More specifically, the determination unit 104 outputs the error stored in the storage unit 108 to the audio output unit. The voice output unit outputs the input error as a voice.

  As a result, when the external read / write device 100 cannot identify the provider providing the portable information terminal 200, the external read / write device 100 and the user of the portable information terminal 200 are notified of the failure. can do.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 shows a conceptual diagram of a contactless transmission / reception system 10. An example of the block diagram of the non-contact transmission / reception system 10 is shown. An example of information stored in the storage unit 108 of the external read / write device 100 is shown. An example of the data format of the starting request transmitted from the external read / write device 100 is shown. The operation of the contactless transmission / reception system 10 is shown in a flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Contactless transmission / reception system 100 External reader / writer 102 Input / output part 104 Judgment part 106 Display part 108 Storage part 200 Portable information terminal 220 Non-contact IC
222 Input / output unit 224 Recording area 226 Specific area 230 Mobile terminal side application 300 Computer

Claims (5)

A contactless IC that can read and write data without contact;
A portable information terminal holding the non-contact IC;
A mobile terminal-side application that is executed on the mobile information terminal and controls reading and writing of data of the contactless IC by the mobile information terminal;
An external read / write device capable of reading and writing the data of the non-contact IC held in the portable information terminal in a non-contact manner when the portable information terminal approaches within a predetermined range;
The non-contact IC stores business operator specifying information for specifying a business providing the portable information terminal in a specific area,
The external read / write device acquires the operator specific information stored in the specific area of the non-contact IC when the portable information terminal approaches within a predetermined range from the external read / write device, A non-contact transmission / reception system for transmitting information based on article supplier identification information to the non-contact IC.   The external read / write device stores an activation request for activating the mobile terminal-side application in association with the operator identification information, and the activation associated with the operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC The contactless transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal side application is activated via the contactless IC by transmitting a request.   The external read / write device stores content in association with the provider identification information, and writes the content associated with the provider identification information acquired from the non-contact IC to the non-contact IC. The contactless transmission / reception system according to 1.   The external read / write device has a display unit, and when the operator identification information stored in the non-contact IC cannot be acquired, and the operator identification information acquired from the non-contact IC is the external read / write The contactless transmission / reception system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an error is displayed on a display unit when the information is not included in the business operator identification information stored in advance in the device.   When the external read / write device fails to acquire the business operator identification information stored in the non-contact IC, and the business operator specific information acquired from the non-contact IC is stored in the external read / write device in advance. The contactless transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein a specific command is transmitted to the mobile terminal side application via the contactless IC when the provider identification information is not included.

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