Structure of a Light Input/Output Section of a Portable Infrared Data Communication Terminal

The present invention relates to a portable data terminal using infrared rays as a data communication medium and, more particularly, to the structure of a light input/output section of such a portable data terminal.

Today, portable or wireless data terminals using infrared rays or similar light as a communication medium are available and used to interchange data with each other within a relatively limited space. This kind of data terminal has a light input/output section including a generally flat light transmitting window member, a light-sensitive device, and a light emitting device. The window member is mounted on one side of the casing of the terminal. The light-sensitive device and light emitting device are disposed in the casing and respectively receive and emit data in the form of infrared rays via the window member. Because the light input/output section receives and emits infrared rays in a single fixed direction, the terminal is positioned during communication such that its light input/output section faces the light input/output section of a desired data terminal. Because such a configuration limits the positional relation between the two terminals, the user of each terminal must reposition it, e.g., sideways or upside down each time. To solve this problem, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 56-147635, for example, discloses a light emitting device consisting of a plurality of light emitting devices each having a particular directivity characteristic. However, this kind of scheme needs a sophisticated structure and reduces the life of a battery powering the data terminal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a light input/output section of a portable data terminal capable of varying the direction in which infrared rays carrying data are input and output therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure of a light input/output section of a portable data terminal for infrared data communication which is simple and does not reduce the life of a battery.

A structure of a light input/output section of a portable data terminal for infrared data communication of the present invention has a light emitting device for emitting infrared rays, a light-sensitive device for receiving infrared rays, a casing accommodating the light emitting device and light-sensitive device, a window extending over two adjoining sides of the casing, an operating device for selectively causing the light emitting device and light-sensitive device to respectively emit and receive the infrared rays in one of a first and a second direction, and a mirror rotatable in interlocked relation to the operating device for reflecting in the second direction the infrared rays incident thereto in the first direction.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a light input/output section included in a portable infrared data communication terminal and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light input/output section shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sections along line III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart demonstrating a specific operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section along line VII--VII of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional light input/output section included in a portable infrared data communication terminal.

To better understand the present invention, a brief reference will be made to a conventional light input/output section included in a portable data terminal for infrared data communication. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus has a casing 24, a light transmitting window member 21 mounted on one side of the casing 24, a light-sensitive device 22, and a light emitting device 23. The light-sensitive device 22 and light emitting device 23 are disposed in the casing 24. The devices 22 and 23 are soldered or otherwise fixed to the casing 24 in such a manner as to receive and emit light, respectively, in the direction substantially perpendicular to the window member 21. The device 22 receives data in the form of infrared rays sent from another infrared data communication terminal. The device 23 emits infrared rays carrying data meant for a desired infrared data communication terminal.

The light emitting and receiving direction of the conventional data terminal is fixed, as stated above. Therefore, to set up infrared communication with another data terminal having an infrared communication interface, the two terminals are positioned such that their light input/output sections face each other. Because this kind of configuration limits the positional relation between the two terminals, the user of each terminal must reposition it, e.g., sideways or upside down each time, as discussed earlier.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a light input/output section embodying the present invention and included in a portable infrared data communication terminal will be described. As shown, the data terminal has an upper casing part 7a and a lower casing part 7b, operating means provided on the upper casing part 7a, a mirror 2 disposed in the casing parts 7a and 7b and rotated by the operating means, and a window 9 formed in one corner of the casing parts 7a and 7b.

The operating means consists of a disk or dial 1a and a shaft 1b extending downward from the dial 1a and positioned in the casing parts 7a and 7b. The dial la is positioned on the outer surface of the casing part 7a, so that the user of the data terminal can turn it by hand. The shaft 1b has a neck portion 1c having a reduced diameter, and an axially elongate recess 1d positioned below the neck portion 1c.

A light transmitting window member 3 has a generally L-shaped section and extends over two adjoining sides of the casing part 7a and those of the casing part 7a, i.e., one corner portion of the casing parts 7a and 7b. The window member 3 is received in the casing part 7a over the above two adjoining sides. The mirror 2 has a mating portion 2a formed at one edge thereof and received in the recess 1d of the shaft 1b, so that the mirror 2 is rotatable together with the shaft 1b. Also, the mirror 2 has a holding portion 2b holding the neck portion 1c of the shaft 1b.

When the mating portion 2a of the mirror 2 is inserted in the recess 1d of the shaft 1b, the angle between the mirror 2 and the dial 1a is fixed. The holding portion 2b of the mirror 2 received in the neck portion 1c of the shaft 1b prevents the dial 1a from slipping out of the casing part 7a.

Two ribs 8a and 8b are formed on the inner surface or rear of the casing part 7a, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 2. The ribs 8a and 8b are angularly spaced about 45 degrees from each other so as to delimit the rotatable range of the mirror 2.

A light-sensitive device 4 and a light emitting device 5 are disposed in the casing parts 7a and 7b, and each is capable of receiving or emitting infrared rays in two different directions 11 and 12, as needed. Also accommodated in the casings 7a and 7b are a light emitting circuit and a light receiving circuit for respectively driving the devices 5 and 4, and a controller for transforming data to be sent to an infrared signal or a received infrared signal to data.

The shaft 1b is rotatably supported while extending through a hole 7c formed in the upper casing part 7a. The devices 4 and 5 are mounted on a printed circuit board or similar board 6 disposed in the casing parts 7a and 7b. The devices 4 and 5 are each so positioned as to receive or emit light in the direction 11. The lower end of the shaft 1b is received in a hole 6a formed in the board 6.

The light emitting circuit and light receiving circuit for driving the devices 5 and 4 and the controller are implemented as electric circuitry on the board 6. These circuit elements are conventional and not shown specifically.

The operation of the illustrative embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the condition shown in FIG. 3, the light-sensitive device 4 and light emitting device 5 are oriented in the direction II while the mirror 2 is so positioned as not to interfere with infrared rays. The devices 4 and 5 are therefore capable of receiving and emitting infrared rays in the direction 11; that is, the data terminal is capable of interchanging data with another data terminal facing it in the direction 11.

Assume that the user of the data terminal turns the dial 1a until the mirror 2 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4. Then, infrared rays can be emitted and received in the direction 12 by being reflected by the mirror 2. Specifically, when the dial 1a is turned 45 degrees clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, it rotates the mirror 2 via the shaft 1b to the position shown in FIG. 4. As a result, infrared rays issuing from the device 5 are reflected by the mirror 2 in the direction 12. Likewise, infrared rays coming in in the direction 12 are reflected by the mirror 2 toward the device 4. In this condition, the data terminal is capable of communicating with another data terminal facing it in the direction 12.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the operating means is implemented as a motor 13 for driving the dial 1a and shaft 1b. Means is provided for sensing infrared rays incident to the light-sensitive element 4. In addition, control means is provided for controlling the motor 13 in response to incident infrared rays, so that the mirror 2 can be brought to an adequate angular position. Specifically, the mirror 2 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 13. The means for sensing infrared rays and control means are, of course, implemented as electric circuitry on the board 6 although not shown specifically.

In the above embodiment, only if the light input/output section of the data terminal is roughly oriented toward the light input/output section of another data terminal, and then a communication command is input on the terminal, desirable data communication can be set up between the two terminals.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a specific operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. As shown, the user of the data terminal roughly orients the data terminal toward a desired data terminal, and then inputs a communication command, as stated above (step S1). At the beginning of data communication, the angular position of the mirror 2 is not stable. Therefore, the motor 13, i.e., mirror 2 is rotated (step S2) while an answer request signal is sent to the remote data terminal (step S3). At this instant, the motor 13 is rotated in opposite directions so as to move the mirror 2 back and forth over an angular range of 45 degrees shown in FIG. 7.

On receiving the answer request signal (step S4), the other or remote data terminal returns an answer signal (step S5) and becomes ready to receive data (step S6). In response to the answer signal, the data terminal sent the answer request signal deenergizes the motor 13 (step S7) and thereby fixes the angular position of the mirror 2. As a result, the direction of communication between the two terminals is fixed. Then, data in the form of infrared rays are interchanged between the two terminals (step S8).

Assume that the answer signal from the remote terminal is not received despite the several times of reciprocating movement of the mirror 2. Then, an alert informing the user that communication is not available may be produced in the form of a message, alert tone, etc.

While the above description has concentrated on the transmission of data from the data terminal to another data terminal, the embodiment is capable of receiving data from another terminal in exactly the same manner only if data receipt is substituted for data transmission.

In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides a light input/output section included in a portable infrared data communication terminal having the following unprecedented advantages. The terminal is capable of communicating with another data terminal over a broad range of positions. This allows the user of the terminal to communicate with another person while maintaining it in an easy-to-handle position, i.e., allows the user to change the orientation of the light input/output section of the terminal easily. Further, desirable data communication can be set up automatically with a mirror brought to its adequate position before the beginning of communication. The user therefore should only roughly orient the terminal toward a desired data terminal.

Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.