External unit and reading device

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce the size and the weight of an external unit, and to efficiently charge a mobile device. [Solution] An external unit 40 that is externally attached to a mobile device 10 and expands the functions of the mobile device 10 comprises: a first connector 57 that is connected to a connector 31 that is provided to the mobile device 10; a second connector 58 to which an external electric power supply is connected; an electric power control unit that controls electric power supply and electric power reception between the external unit and the mobile device 10; and a functional unit that exhibits the expanded functions of the mobile device 10, and operates by using either the electric power that is received from the mobile device 10 or the electric power that is supplied from the external electric power supply, the external unit 40 being characterized in that the electric power control unit performs control so as to receive electric power from the mobile device 10 when the external electric power supply is not connected to the second connector 58, and to supply the electric power that is supplied from the external electric power supply to the mobile device 10 when the external electric power supply is connected to the second connector 58.

Description

External Unit and Reading Device

[0001] The present invention relates to an external unit that is externally attached to a mobile device and expands the functions of the mobile device, and a reading device including the external unit.

[0002] In recent years, many external units that are externally attached to mobile devices have appeared. The mobile device is typically a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and a camera externally attached to a smartphone, a reading unit (Patent Document 1) externally attached to a smartphone, etc. are known as external units.

[0003] Many of the above conventional external units include a secondary battery in the unit and operate with power supplied from the secondary battery. For example, the external unit described in Patent Document 1 operates a sensor and a microcomputer provided in the unit with power supplied from the secondary battery.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-208069

[0005] However, since the external unit of Patent Document 1 must include a secondary battery in the unit, it is difficult to miniaturize and lighten the unit. Therefore, it is conceivable to remove the secondary battery from the external unit and operate the external unit by power supply from the mobile device. However, in this case, the power consumption of the mobile device increases, so the charging frequency of the mobile device increases. Here, since an external unit is connected to the connector of the mobile device, it is necessary to temporarily remove the external unit in order to supply power to the mobile device. However, it is inefficient to attach and detach the external unit every time the mobile device is charged.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an external unit and a reading device that can achieve miniaturization and weight reduction of the external unit and efficiently charge the mobile device.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an external unit that is attached to a mobile device and extends the functionality of the mobile device, comprising: a first connector connected to a connector provided on the mobile device; a second connector to which an external power supply is connected; a power control unit that controls the supply and reception of power between the mobile device and the external power supply; and a functional unit that performs the extended functionality and operates using either power received from the mobile device or power supplied from the external power supply, wherein the power control unit controls the unit to receive power from the mobile device when the external power supply is not connected to the second connector, and to supply power supplied from the external power supply to the mobile device when the external power supply is connected to the second connector.

[0008] In the above-described external unit, the power control unit is characterized in that, when the external power supply is connected to the second connector, it supplies power supplied from the external power supply to the functional unit.

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the reading device of the present invention comprises the mobile device and the external unit, wherein the functional unit functions as a reading unit that reads information attached to an article.

[0010] Furthermore, the reading device described above is equipped with an external power supply, and the external power supply is a battery that can be attached to and detached from the external unit.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-described reading device, the power control unit is characterized in that, when the first connector is connected to the mobile device and the second connector is connected to the battery, it supplies power received from the mobile device to the battery.

[0012] The present invention provides an external unit and reading device that are smaller and lighter than the external unit, and that can efficiently charge mobile devices.

[0013] (a) Front view of a reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) Side view of the reading device, (c) Rear view of the reading device (a) Block diagram of a mobile device included in the reading device, (b) Block diagram of an external unit included in the reading device Operation flow diagram of the external unit Diagram showing a modified reading device

[0014] [First Embodiment]

[0015] The external unit and reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0016] <Overview of the Reading Device> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reading device 100 according to the first embodiment is a device that reads information from RF tags attached to articles. Here, articles are, for example, goods sold in retail stores, and the RF tags of these goods store product information such as JAN codes. The reading device 100 performs inventory of goods based on the product information read from the RF tags of the goods. The reading device 100 comprises a mobile device 10 and an external unit 40.

[0017] <Mobile Device> The mobile device 10 is typically a smart device such as a well-known smartphone or tablet terminal, and includes a touch panel display 21, a Bluetooth® module 22, a network module 23, a CPU 24, and a memory 25. The touch panel display 21 is positioned on the entire front surface of the mobile device 10 and functions as a display unit for displaying information and an input receiving unit for receiving touch input from the user. The Bluetooth module 22 functions as a short-range wireless communication unit for short-range wireless communication. The network module 23 functions as a network communication unit for network communication via wireless. The memory 25 stores an application for inventory management of goods, and the CPU 24 executes this application and functions as a processing unit that performs inventory management based on the goods information.

[0018] Furthermore, the mobile device 10 includes a power management module 26 (hereinafter referred to as "PMIC 26") that can communicate with the CPU 24, a battery charger 27 electrically connected to the PMIC 26, and a secondary battery 28 electrically connected to the battery charger 27. The PMIC 26 supplies operating power to each of the above components and also supplies charging power to the secondary battery 28 to the battery charger 27. The supply of charging power to the secondary battery 28 is performed based on the power supplied from the connector 31 described later, and the PMIC 26 performs control such as converting the supplied power to a voltage suitable for the secondary battery 28, adjusting the current according to the progress of charging, detecting overcurrent, overvoltage, overcharge, etc., and stopping charging. The battery charger 27 switches between constant current charging and constant voltage charging, monitors the temperature and the state of the secondary battery 28, and thereby safely supplies charging power to the secondary battery 28. In this way, the PMIC 26 and the battery charger 27 function as a charge control unit that controls the charging of the secondary battery 28.

[0019] Furthermore, the mobile device 10 is equipped with an interface for connecting to the external unit 40. Specifically, the mobile device 10 is equipped with a female connector 31 compliant with the USB Type-C standard (hereinafter referred to as the USB-C standard) and a controller 32 (referred to as "USB PD controller 32" in the figure). The female connector 31 is provided on the end face of the mobile device 10 and is equipped with a plurality of communication terminals electrically connected to the controller 32 and a plurality of power terminals electrically connected to the PMIC 26. The controller 32 is interposed between the connector 31 and the CPU 24 and functions as a communication control unit that performs communication control based on the USB PD (USB Power Delivery) standard with the device connected to the connector 31 (external unit 40 in this embodiment).

[0020] The mobile device 10 described above has a cover attached to it, and the cover has an opening formed in it to expose a female connector.

[0021] <External Unit> The external unit 40 is an external unit attached to the mobile device 10 to extend the functions of the mobile device 10, and is a battery-less unit that operates based on power supplied from the mobile device 10 or from an external power source. The external unit 40 is used when attached to the mobile device 10, and comprises a main body portion 41 located on the back of the mobile device 10 when attached, and a connector portion 42 located on the end face of the mobile device 10. The main body portion 41 shown in Figure 1 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular plate, but the shape of the main body portion 41 is not limited to the shape shown, and any shape suitable for carrying and use is acceptable. The connector portion 42 extends from the lower end of the main body portion 41 toward the front side (mobile device 10 side). The external unit 40 is detachable from the mobile device 10.

[0022] The main body 41 of the external unit 40 is provided with a sensor 51, a switch 52, a microcontroller 53 (referred to as "MCU 53" in the figure) electrically connected to the sensor 51 and the switch 52, a controller 54 (referred to as "USB PD controller 54" in the figure), a power supply circuit 55 that generates power for the sensor 51, the microcontroller 53, and the controller 54, and a switching circuit 56 connected to the power supply circuit 55 and controlled by the controller 54.

[0023] Sensor 51 is an RFID reader / writer. An RFID reader / writer reads information from an RF tag attached to an item and includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the RF tag, and a high-frequency circuit (RF circuit) that generates and transmits wireless signals used for communication with the RF tag. Microcontroller 53 converts the signal received from the RF tag into digital data information and transmits this information to the mobile device 10. In this way, sensor 51 and microcontroller 53 function as a reading unit that reads information from the RF tag.

[0024] The controller 54 is electrically connected to the communication terminals of the first connector 57 and the second connector 58, as described later, and is also connected to the switching circuit 56. The controller 54 performs communication related to power control based on the USB PD standard, and communicates with the controller 32 of the mobile device 10 connected to the first connector 57 and the external power supply connected to the second connector 58. In this way, the controller 54 functions as a communication control unit that performs communication control based on the USB PD standard between the mobile device 10 and the external power supply.

[0025] The power supply circuit 55 is a circuit that functions as a power generation unit that generates operating power for the sensor 51, microcontroller 53, and controller 54 based on the power supplied from the switching circuit 56. The switching circuit 56 functions as a switching unit that switches the power source for the power supply circuit 55. Here, the power source is the power supplied from the mobile device 10 via the first connector 57 and the power supplied from an external power source via the second connector 58. When the external unit 40 is attached to the mobile device 10, the controller 54 requests power supply from the mobile device 10 and operates based on the power supplied from the mobile device 10. Therefore, when the first connector 57 is connected to the mobile device 10, the switching circuit 56 prioritizes outputting (supplying) the power supplied from the mobile device 10 to the power supply circuit 55.

[0026] The first connector 57 is a male connector compliant with the USB Type-C standard and is provided to protrude inward from the connector portion 42. The first connector 57 is connected to the connector 31 of the mobile device 10. The first connector 57 includes a plurality of communication terminals electrically connected to the controller 54 and a power terminal electrically connected to the switching circuit 56. The second connector 58 is a female connector compliant with the USB Type-C standard and is provided to have an opening on the outside of the connector portion 42. An external power source such as a mobile battery is connected to the second connector 58. The second connector 58 includes a communication terminal electrically connected to the controller 54 and a power terminal electrically connected to the switching circuit 56.

[0027] As described above, the mobile device 10 and external unit 40 of this embodiment are compatible with the USB PD standard and have a so-called role-swap function that allows them to switch between receiving and supplying power. The operation flow of the external unit 40 will now be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0028] First, when the external unit 40 is connected to the mobile device 10 by the user, the controller 54 of the external unit 40 communicates with the controller 32 of the mobile device 10. In this communication, a request is made that the mobile device 10 will be the power supply side and the external unit 40 will be the power receiving side. Once this request is confirmed, the controller 54 inputs a control signal to the switching circuit 56. This control signal designates the line (power line) connected to the power terminal of the first connector 57 as the power source for the power supply circuit 55. Based on the input control signal, the switching circuit 56 connects the power line of the first connector 57 to the power supply circuit 55. As a result, the power supplied from the first connector 57 is input to the power supply circuit 55. Based on the input power, the power supply circuit 55 generates operating power for the sensor 51, microcontroller 53, and controller 54. (s10)

[0029] Then, the microcontroller 53 of the external unit 40 checks the status of the switch 52 (s20). If the user presses the switch 52, the reading process (s21) and the transmission process (s22) are executed in order. The reading process (s21) is the process of reading information from the RF tag, and the microcontroller 53 acquires information based on the signal input from the sensor 51 (RFID reader / writer). The transmission process (s22) is the process of transmitting the read information to the mobile device 10, and the microcontroller 53 communicates with the mobile device 10 and transmits the information to the mobile device 10.

[0030] If an external power supply is connected to the second connector 58 (s30: yes), the controller 54 communicates with the external power supply. In this communication, a request is made for the external power supply to become the power source and the external unit to become the power recipient. Once this request is confirmed, the controller 54 communicates with the mobile device 10. In this communication, a role swap request is made (a request for the external unit to become the power source and the mobile device 10 to become the power recipient). Once this request is confirmed, the controller 54 inputs a control signal to the switching circuit. This control signal is a signal that makes the power line of the second connector 58 (external power supply) the power source for the power supply circuit 55, and also makes the power line of the second connector 58 (external power supply) the power source for the mobile device 10. Based on the input control signal, the switching circuit 56 connects the power line of the second connector 58 to the power supply circuit 55 and also connects the power line to the power line of the first connector 57. Thus, the controller 54 and switching circuit 56 of the external unit 40 function as a power control unit that controls the supply and reception of power between the mobile device 10 and the external power supply.

[0031] In this embodiment, the reading device 100 has a battery-less external unit 40 that is attached to and detached from the mobile device 10, allowing the external unit 40 to be made lighter and smaller. When using the reading device 100, power is supplied from the mobile device 10 to the external unit 40, which increases the frequency of charging the mobile device 10. However, since charging power can be supplied to the mobile device 10 through the external unit 40, charging can be performed efficiently.

[0032] Furthermore, if a mobile battery is connected to the external unit 40, the reading operation can be performed while charging the mobile device 10 through the external unit 40.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may also be modified as described below.

[0034] <Modification 1> In the above embodiment, the external unit 40 is provided with a switch 52, and the read process (s21) is executed using the switch 52 as a trigger. However, the read process (s21) is not limited to such a physical switch 52, and may be executed based on a software switch. Specifically, the mobile device 10 displays a switch GUI on the touch panel display 21, and when the switch GUI is operated by the user, it sends a read command to the external unit 40. The microcontroller 53 of the external unit 40 executes the read process (s21) on the condition that it has received the read command.

[0035] <Modification 2> In the above embodiment, the mobile device 10 is charged using power supplied from an external power source, a mobile battery. However, it may also be possible to select to charge the mobile battery using power supplied from the mobile device 10. In this modified embodiment, when the external unit 40 detects that a mobile battery has been connected, the switching circuit 56 is controlled to supply power supplied from the mobile device 10 to the mobile battery.

[0036] <Modification 3> The attachment / detachment structure between the mobile device 10 and the external unit 40 may be, for example, a sliding attachment / detachment structure. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a recess 72 is formed on the back surface 71 of the cover 70, and a protrusion 43 is formed on the inner surface of the external unit 40.

[0037] The recess 72 of the cover 70 is formed so as to be slightly recessed from the back surface 71 of the cover 70 (so as to be one step lower than the outer surface), and is formed with a constant width from the lower end of the back surface 71 toward the center. In other words, the recess 72 is formed to be shallow at the bottom and is rectangular in shape when viewed from the rear. The recess 72 is formed so as to be wider at the bottom. In other words, in cross-section, the left and right sides 73 are formed in a V-shape (sloping in a direction that widens toward the bottom).

[0038] The protrusion 43 of the external unit 40 is formed on the inner surface 44 of the main body 41 of the external unit 40. The protrusion 43 is formed to protrude slightly from the inner surface 44 and is formed with a constant width from the lower end of the inner surface 44 toward the center. That is, the protrusion 43 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front and is formed to be one step higher than the inner surface. The top surface of the protrusion 43 is formed to be wider. That is, in cross-section, the side surface 45 of the protrusion is formed in a V-shape (inclined in a direction that widens toward the top surface).

[0039] The height of the protrusion 43 is approximately the same as the depth of the recess 72 of the cover 70. Furthermore, the top surface of the protrusion 43 has the same shape and size as the bottom surface of the recess 72. Also, the inclination angles of the left and right sides 45 of the protrusion 43 are the same as the inclination angles of the left and right sides 73 of the recess 72. Therefore, the protrusion 43 can be slid into the recess 72, and when the protrusion 43 is fitted into the recess 72, the external unit 40 is attached to the mobile device 10.

[0040] <Modification 4> The attachment / detachment structure between the mobile device 10 and the external unit 40 may, for example, use magnetism. Specifically, the mobile device 10 is equipped with a magnet on its back, and the external unit 40 is equipped with a ferromagnetic material such as iron at a position corresponding to the magnet. As a result, the external unit 40 is attracted to the magnet of the mobile device 10 and attached.

[0041] <Modification 5> In the above embodiment and modification, the external unit 40 is placed on the outside of the cover, but the external unit 40 may also be placed on the inside of the cover. In other words, the external unit 40 may be placed on top of the back of the mobile device 10, and a cover that protects the mobile device 10 and the external unit 40 may be used.

[0042] <Modification 6> The external unit 40 may include a Bluetooth module (short-range wireless communication unit) electrically connected to the microcontroller 53. In this embodiment, the microcontroller 53 transmits the information read from the RF tag to the mobile device 10 via the Bluetooth module.

[0043] <Modification 7> The external unit 40 may be equipped with a mounting structure for detachably attaching a mobile battery. The mounting structure is, for example, a magnet built into the main body 41. The mobile battery can be detachably attached by the magnetic force of the magnet. Another example is that, as in Modification 3 above, a recess may be formed on the back side of the main body 41 of the external unit 40 and a protrusion may be formed on the surface of the mobile battery. According to this embodiment, the mobile battery can be attached to the external unit 40 by sliding the protrusion of the mobile battery linearly along the recess and fitting it into place. Note that attachment and detachment are not limited to this linear sliding movement, but may also be done by annular sliding movement.

[0044] <Modification Example 8> Also, the external power source is not limited to a mobile battery. For example, a charging adapter, a charging stand, or the like may be used. These external power sources have a male connector that can be inserted into the second connector 58 of the external unit 40. For example, in the case of a charging stand, the male connector is provided on the pedestal, and by placing the external power source on the pedestal, the external power source is connected to the external unit 40.

[0045] <Modification Example 9> The sensor 51 of the external unit 40 is not limited to an RFID reader / writer. For example, the sensor 51 may be a camera. In this aspect, the microcomputer 53 analyzes the image generated by the camera and acquires the information of the barcode included in the image. Then, the acquired information is transmitted to the mobile device 10. Thus, the reading device may be a device that reads the barcode displayed on the article.

[0046] <Modification Example 10> The sensor 51 of the external unit 40 may be a module that performs IrDA communication. In this modified aspect, the external unit 40 is attached to the mobile device 10, and the external unit 40 performs IrDA communication. For example, the external unit 40 acquires information from a vending machine by performing IrDA communication with the vending machine. Then, the external unit 40 transmits the acquired information to the mobile device 10.

[0047] <Modification Example 11> The connectors 31, 57, 58 in the above embodiment are the USB Type-C standard connectors 31, but the connectors 31, 57, 58 may be connectors of other standards. Also, in the above embodiment, the controllers 32, 54 corresponding to the USB PD standard are used, but the controllers 32, 54 are not limited to this standard, and any controller having a role swap function may be used.

[0048] 10 Mobile device 40 External unit 100 Reading device

Claims

1. An external unit that is attached to a mobile device and extends the functionality of the mobile device, comprising: a first connector connected to a connector provided on the mobile device; a second connector to which an external power supply is connected; a power control unit that controls the supply and reception of power between the mobile device and the power supply unit; and a functional unit that performs the extended functionality and operates using either power received from the mobile device or power supplied from the external power supply, wherein the power control unit controls the power to receive power from the mobile device when the external power supply is not connected to the second connector, and to supply power to the mobile device with power supplied from the external power supply when the external power supply is connected to the second connector.

2. The external unit according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit supplies power supplied from the external power supply to the functional unit when the external power supply is connected to the second connector.

3. A reading device comprising the mobile device and the external unit described in claim 1, wherein the functional unit functions as a reading unit for reading information attached to an article.

4. The reading device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is provided with an external power supply, wherein the external power supply is a battery that can be attached to or detached from the external unit.

5. The reading device according to claim 4, characterized in that the power control unit supplies power received from the mobile device to the battery when the first connector is connected to the mobile device and the battery is connected to the second connector.

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