JP2014140094A - Auxiliary device and auxiliary system for receiving broadcast wave for communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast wave reception auxiliary technique for assisting a broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal.SOLUTION: An auxiliary device 1 for broadcast wave reception for communication terminals includes a main body unit 10 physically independent of a broadcast wave reception antenna (terminal antenna) and an electric circuit that are housed in a communication terminal 90. The main body unit 10 includes an electric conductor unit 12 and a radiation element 12a connected to the electric conductor unit 12. The radiation element 12a is configured to be electrically connected to a terminal antenna when the auxiliary device 1 for broadcast wave reception for communication terminals is mounted on the communication terminal 90, and the electric conductor unit 12 is configured to function as a broadcast wave reception antenna.

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast wave reception assist technique for assisting a broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal.

  The frequency of analog broadcast waves for communication terminals in Japan belongs to the 220 MHz band. When the antenna for receiving this broadcast wave is a λ / 4 monopole antenna, an antenna length of about 35 cm is required. An antenna having such a length can obtain a standard antenna gain, but it is not realistic to mount such an antenna in a communication terminal that fits in the palm of a hand like a smartphone. For this reason, communication terminals that can receive analog broadcast waves for communication terminals are often provided with a telescopic rod antenna. When viewing analog broadcasting, the situation is that a rod antenna provided in a communication terminal is extended and used.

DOCOMO Technical Journal Vol.20 No.3, Oct.2012

  However, even if the analog broadcast wave receiving rod antenna provided in the current communication terminal is extended, the length is not sufficient. For this reason, sufficient antenna gain cannot be obtained. As a result, the reception sensitivity is lowered, and if the broadcast area is far from the broadcast station, an analog broadcast wave can be received only at the window, for example, indoors. In addition, it is inconvenient for the user who needs to handle the extension / shortening of the rod antenna carefully, and that the antenna must be extended each time real-time viewing of analog broadcast waves or analog broadcast content is received and stored. Has also become an issue. Therefore, it is desired to improve the reception sensitivity without extending the rod antenna. In the case of television broadcasting or the like, when antenna gain cannot be obtained, it is common to ensure sensitivity by interposing a low noise amplifier (LNA) between the rod antenna and the receiver. However, since the noise level is very large inside a current communication terminal (for example, a smartphone), it is difficult to obtain an effect of improving the sensitivity by the LNA provided inside the communication terminal.

  Based on such considerations, an object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast wave reception assist technique for assisting a broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal.

  A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal according to the present invention is a broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal that assists a broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal, and is a broadcast wave reception antenna (terminal antenna) accommodated in the communication terminal. And a main body that is physically independent of the electric circuit. The main body includes an electric conductor and a radiating element connected to the electric conductor. The radiating element is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the broadcast wave receiving auxiliary device for communication terminal is attached to the communication terminal, and the electric conductor portion functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna. It is configured.

  The main body is, for example, a flat body that can be attached to the exterior of the communication terminal, or the exterior of the communication terminal, or a battery packaging that supplies power to the communication terminal.

  The communication terminal broadcast wave reception assistance system of the present invention is a communication terminal broadcast wave reception assistance system that assists the broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal, and includes a broadcast wave reception antenna (terminal) accommodated in the communication terminal. A communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device having a main body portion physically independent of the antenna) and the electric circuit, and a cradle detachable from the communication terminal. And the main body part of the broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for communication terminal includes an electric conductor part, a radiating element connected to the electric conductor part, and an input terminal connected to the electric conductor part, An amplifier for amplifying broadcast waves and an output terminal connected to the amplifier and connected to the input terminal when the communication terminal is attached to the cradle are included. The radiating element is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the broadcasting wave reception auxiliary device for the communication terminal is attached to the communication terminal, and the electric conductor portion has the communication terminal attached to the cradle. When the communication terminal is attached to the cradle, it functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna. When the communication terminal is attached to the cradle, it functions as a supply line that supplies the amplified signal output from the amplifier to the radiating element.

  The cradle may include a switch unit that switches between supplying and cutting off power to the amplifier. The switch unit is configured to supply power to the amplifier when the communication terminal is attached to the cradle, and to cut off power to the amplifier when the communication terminal is not attached to the cradle.

  According to the present invention, the main body part physically independent of the terminal antenna and the electric circuit accommodated in the communication terminal includes the electric conductor part and the radiating element connected to the electric conductor part, The radiating element is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the broadcast wave receiving auxiliary device for communication terminal is attached to the communication terminal, and the electric conductor portion functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna. Therefore, even when the reception sensitivity of the terminal antenna is poor, the reception sensitivity is improved.

The figure which shows the structural example of the broadcast wave reception auxiliary | assistance apparatus for communication terminals of embodiment. (A) Top view. (B) Side view. (C) Front view. (D) EE sectional view taken on the line. (E) Sectional drawing of the direction of the circled part C in the direction orthogonal to the EE line. The figure which shows the state in which the broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for communication terminals of embodiment was attached to the communication terminal. (A) Top view. (B) Side view. (C) Front view. The figure which shows the state in which the communication terminal with which the broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for communication terminals of embodiment was attached is attached to the cradle. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of a cradle. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of a cradle. The figure which shows the modification of the electrical-conductor part of the broadcast wave reception auxiliary | assistance apparatus for communication terminals. The figure which shows the modification of the broadcast wave reception auxiliary | assistance apparatus for communication terminals. The figure which shows the state by which the modification of the broadcast wave reception auxiliary | assistance apparatus for communication terminals shown by FIG. 7 was attached to the communication terminal. (A) Top view. (B) Side view. (C) EE sectional view taken on the line.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. The communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 that assists the broadcast wave reception function of the communication terminal 90 includes a broadcast wave reception antenna (not shown; hereinafter referred to as a terminal antenna) and an electric circuit housed in the communication terminal 90. It has a main body 10 that is physically independent from (not shown). Here, “physically independent” means that the main body 10 is not a component of the terminal antenna or the electric circuit, or that the main body 10 can be distinguished from the terminal antenna and the electric circuit as a component or physical reality. Means that.

  The main body 10 is, for example, a flat body that can be attached to the exterior of the communication terminal 90 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As an exterior part of the communication terminal 90, for example, a back panel 92 of the communication terminal 90, a liquid crystal display (not shown) of the communication terminal 90, and a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the communication terminal 90 are usually covered. Examples thereof include a battery cover (not shown) that is a component constituting the back panel 92. Moreover, as a flat body, the soft sheet like the liquid crystal protective film stuck in order to protect a liquid crystal display, the hard sheet | seat shape | molded with the synthetic resin, etc. can be illustrated (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 2). Considering that the rear panel 92 may be provided with a camera lens, a wireless communication port, a speaker hole, etc., even if a through hole is provided in the main body 10 so as not to obstruct such components. Good. The main body 10 is not limited to such a flat body, but covers the exterior of the communication terminal 90 itself or a battery packaging (for example, an outer shell of the battery) that supplies power to the communication terminal 90. Vinyl).

  The main body 10 is attached to the exterior of the communication terminal 90 using, for example, a silicone adhesive, so that the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 is prevented from falling off the communication terminal 90. Examples of the portion of the communication terminal 90 to which the main body 10 is attached include the outer surface of the back panel 92 (see FIG. 2) or the inner surface thereof, the surface of the liquid crystal display of the communication terminal 90, the inner surface of the battery cover, and the like. it can. Here, “inside” means the side inside the communication terminal 90, and “outside” means the side opposite to the inside of the communication terminal 90.

  The main body portion 10 includes an electric conductor portion 12, a radiating element 12 a connected to the electric conductor portion 12, and an input terminal 15 connected to the electric conductor portion 12. Specifically, when the main body 10 is a flat body as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the entire electric conductor 12, the entire radiating element 12 a, and a part of the input terminal 15 are connected to the main body 10. It is insert-molded so as to be embedded, and the remaining portion of the input terminal 15 protrudes from the main body 10. The protruding portion of the input terminal 15 comes into contact with the output terminal 22 of the cradle 20 when the communication terminal 90 to which the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 is attached is attached to a cradle 20 described later (see FIG. 3). ).

  The electric conductor 12 is a component that functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna, and is, for example, a metal microstrip line. In addition, the electrical conductor 12 has a length that is at least longer than the length of the terminal antenna (for example, the unstretched rod antenna), and preferably has a wavelength λ of the analog broadcast wave for communication terminals. On the other hand, it has a length of about λ / 4. In order to realize such a length, the shape of the electric conductor 12 is an L-order shape as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a loop shape as illustrated in FIG. 6, or a meander shape. Etc. can be adopted as appropriate, and the shape is not particularly limited. However, when the part of the communication terminal 90 to which the communication terminal broadcast wave reception assisting device 1 is attached is the outer surface (see FIG. 2) of the rear panel 92 or the inner surface thereof, the rear panel 92 has a camera lens and wireless communication. In consideration of the fact that there are cases where a port, a speaker hole, and the like are provided, the shape of the electric conductor portion 12 that does not interfere with such a component should be adopted. Similarly, when the part of the communication terminal 90 to which the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 is attached is the surface of the liquid crystal display of the communication terminal 90, the shape of the electric conductor 12 that does not hinder the visual recognition of the liquid crystal display Should be adopted. However, compared with the case where the terminal antenna (for example, the rod antenna) is designed and arranged in consideration of interference with an electronic circuit in a narrow space inside the communication terminal, the electric conductor portion 12 of the main body portion 10 is provided inside the communication terminal. It can be said that there are few restrictions from the viewpoint of a design and arrangement | positioning at the point which can design and arrange | position without considering interference with an electronic circuit.

  In addition, the electric conductor according to the characteristic impedance determined by the design of the broadcast wave receiving antenna 26 (hereinafter referred to as the cradle antenna) and the LNA 28 of the cradle 20 that the cradle 20 described later has or is attached to the cradle 20. It is desirable that the portion 12 is wired (for example, if the LNA 28 and the cradle antenna 26 are 50Ω systems, the electric conductor portion 12 is a 50Ω line). In the illustrated embodiment, the electric conductor portion 12 is a single line connecting the radiating element 12a and the input terminal 15. However, the electric conductor portion 12 may be constituted by a plurality of lines in order to obtain a diversity effect. Good.

  When the electric conductor 12 functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna, analog broadcasting can be viewed when using only the terminal antenna, or when the rod antenna is shortened when the terminal antenna is a rod antenna. A good reception sensitivity can be obtained even in an area with an electric field intensity weaker than the electric field intensity capable of obtaining a high reception level.

  The radiating element 12 a is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 is attached to the communication terminal 90. That is, when the communication terminal broadcast wave reception assisting apparatus 1 is attached to the communication terminal 90, the radiating element 12a is disposed in the vicinity of the terminal antenna, and the electric conductor 12 receives the broadcast wave received as the broadcast wave reception antenna, or The radiating element 12a is positioned in the main body 10 so that the radiating element 12a can supply the amplified signal output from the LNA 28 of the cradle 20 described later to the terminal antenna. The radiating element 12a can be realized, for example, as a line wider than the electric conductor 12 that is a microstrip line.

  When the main body portion 10 is a flat body as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and has a multilayer structure (for example, when the main body portion 10 is a multilayer film), the electric conductor portion 12 and the radiating element 12a are different layers. (See FIG. 1E). In this case, it is desirable to arrange the radiating element 12a in a layer close to the communication terminal 90 and arrange the electric conductor portion 12 in a layer far from the communication terminal 90 (side close to the atmosphere). From the viewpoint of the electrical conductor 12 functioning as a broadcast wave receiving antenna, it is better to be away from the communication terminal 90 as much as possible, and the radiating element 12a that supplies a broadcast wave or an amplified signal to the terminal antenna should be as close as possible to the terminal antenna. Because it is good.

  The communication terminal broadcast wave reception assistance system 2 includes the communication terminal broadcast wave reception assistance device 1 and a cradle 20 that can be attached to and detached from the communication terminal 90 (see FIG. 3). The cradle 20 is connected to a cradle antenna 26 that receives a broadcast wave, an LNA 28 that amplifies the received broadcast wave, and a power source (more precisely, a USB terminal connected to the power source) that supplies power to the LNA 28. Connected to the LNA 28 and the output terminal 22 connected to the input terminal 15 when the communication terminal 90 is attached to the cradle 20. (See FIG. 4). In addition to the above, the cradle 20 may include a circuit configuration for supplying direct current to the communication terminal 90 as a charger. However, since such a circuit configuration is a conventional configuration, description and illustration are omitted. To do.

  The switch unit 24 is configured to supply power to the LNA 28 when the communication terminal 90 is attached to the cradle 20, and to cut off power to the LNA 28 when the communication terminal 90 is not attached to the cradle 20. Has been. For example, one end of a rod (not shown) protrudes outward at a portion where the communication terminal 90 of the cradle 20 is attached (this state is referred to as the “original position” of the rod), and the communication terminal 90 is attached to the cradle 20. When the communication terminal 90 pushes one end of the rod, the other end of the rod is pushed into the switch unit 24 so that the switch unit 24 is turned on, and the communication terminal 90 is removed from the cradle 20. The rod is returned to its original position by the elastic force of the spring, for example, and the other end of the rod eliminates the above action on the switch unit 24 and the switch unit 24 is turned off. Thus, the switch unit 24 can be configured.

  Since the switch unit 24 is provided in the cradle 20, the switch unit 24 is turned off when the communication terminal 90 is not attached to the cradle 20, and power is not supplied to the LNA 28. Power consumption when not in use can be suppressed.

  Further, the cradle antenna 26 does not need to be a built-in antenna built in the cradle 20 as shown in FIG. 4, and may be an external antenna of the cradle 20 as shown in FIG. Good. 4 and 5, the switch unit 24 is provided so as to control both the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the LNA 28. However, when the negative terminal is ground, the switch is controlled so that only the positive terminal side is controlled. The structure which provides the part 24 may be sufficient.

  According to this communication terminal broadcast wave reception assist system 2, the electrical conductor 12 functions as a broadcast wave reception antenna when the communication terminal 90 is not attached to the cradle 20 as described above, and the communication terminal 90 is connected to the cradle 20. When attached, it functions as a supply line for supplying the amplified signal output from the LNA 28 to the radiating element 12a. The amplified signal output from the LNA 28 is connected to the electric conductor 12 via the output terminal 22 connected to the LNA 28 and the input terminal 15 that contacts the output terminal 22 when the communication terminal 90 is attached to the cradle 20. To be supplied.

  In addition, since the noise level is very high inside the current communication terminal 90 (for example, a smartphone), it is difficult to obtain an effect of improving sensitivity by providing the LNA inside the communication terminal 90, but the cradle 20 includes the LNA 28. Thus, it is possible to improve the reception sensitivity when the communication terminal 90 is attached to the cradle 20 without being affected by noise inside the communication terminal. By using the LNA 28 in this way, when the terminal antenna is a rod antenna, the electric field strength is weaker than the electric field strength that can obtain a reception level at which analog broadcasting can be viewed when the rod antenna is used in the extended state. Good reception sensitivity can be obtained even in an area.

  Next, modifications of the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device 1 are shown in FIGS. The main body 10 is configured integrally with the liquid crystal protective film. The main body 10 has an area covering the surface 93 of the liquid crystal display of the communication terminal 90, one side surface of the communication terminal 90, and a part of the rear panel 92 of the communication terminal 90. When the main body 10 is attached to the communication terminal 90, the main body 10 is affixed to the communication terminal 90 so as to be bent along the broken line illustrated in FIG. The electric conductor portion 12 is arranged on the main body portion 10 so that the electric conductor portion 12 is located on one side surface of the communication terminal 90 in a state where the main body portion 10 is attached to the communication terminal 90. By setting it as such arrangement | positioning, while the main-body part 10 plays a role as a liquid-crystal protective film, it can prevent that the electric conductor part 12 obstructs the visual recognition of a liquid crystal display. When the terminal antenna is located near one side surface of the communication terminal 90, the radiating element 12a has the radiating element 12a on the surface 93 in a state where the main body 10 is attached to the communication terminal 90, the side surface, The main body 10 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the terminal antenna from three sides of the back panel 92. With such an arrangement, the degree of capacitive coupling between the radiating element 12a and the terminal antenna is increased, and the effect of improving the reception sensitivity can be improved.

Claims (6)

A broadcast wave reception assist device for a communication terminal that assists a broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal,
The communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device has a broadcast wave reception antenna (hereinafter referred to as a terminal antenna) housed in the communication terminal and a main body that is physically independent of an electric circuit,
The main body includes an electrical conductor and a radiating element connected to the electrical conductor,
The radiating element is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device is attached to the communication terminal,
The above-mentioned electric conductor part is constituted so that it may function as a broadcast wave receiving antenna, The broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for communication terminals characterized by things. A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal according to claim 1,
The main body is a flat body that can be attached to the exterior of the communication terminal. A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal according to claim 1,
The main body is an exterior part of the communication terminal. A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal. A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal according to claim 1,
The communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is a battery packaging for supplying power to the communication terminal. A broadcast wave reception assistance system for a communication terminal that assists the broadcast wave reception function of a communication terminal,
A broadcast wave reception auxiliary device for a communication terminal having a main body that is physically independent of a broadcast wave reception antenna (hereinafter referred to as a terminal antenna) and an electric circuit housed in the communication terminal;
A cradle detachable from the communication terminal,
The main body part of the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device includes an electric conductor part, a radiating element connected to the electric conductor part, and an input terminal connected to the electric conductor part,
The cradle includes an amplifier for amplifying a broadcast wave, and an output terminal connected to the amplifier and connected to the input terminal when the communication terminal is attached to the cradle,
The radiating element is configured to be electrically connected to the terminal antenna when the communication terminal broadcast wave reception auxiliary device is attached to the communication terminal,
The electrical conductor portion functions as a broadcast wave receiving antenna when the communication terminal is not attached to the cradle, and an amplified signal output from the amplifier when the communication terminal is attached to the cradle. A broadcast wave reception auxiliary system for a communication terminal, which is configured to function as a supply line for supplying to a radiating element. A broadcast wave reception assistance system for a communication terminal according to claim 5,
The cradle includes a switch unit that switches between supply and interruption of power to the amplifier,
The switch unit supplies power to the amplifier when the communication terminal is attached to the cradle, and cuts off power to the amplifier when the communication terminal is not attached to the cradle. It is comprised in the broadcast wave reception auxiliary system for communication terminals characterized by the above-mentioned.

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