JP2007036500A - Communication system, communication apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to easily set more suitable communication according to the characteristics of a communication medium. <P>SOLUTION: A communication medium information input acceptor 1114 causes a display unit 1116 to display a guiding screen used for guiding input of communication medium information, acquires the communication medium information input into an input 1115 based on this display, performs communication setting based on the acquired information, and supplies the setting information to a correspondence processor 1117. A transmission level control unit 1121 of the processor 1117 controls a transmitter 1111 on the basis of the setting information to be supplied from the acceptor 1114 to control a transmission level (intensity of output), and a message display unit 1122 displays a message about setting to inform processing completion, e.g. "setting completed" or the contents of the processing, on the basis of the setting information to be supplied from the control section 1121. The present invention is applicable to a communication system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication apparatus and method, and a program, and more particularly, to a communication system, a communication apparatus and method, and a program that make it possible to easily perform communication settings more suitable for characteristics of a communication medium.

  Conventionally, in communication, the accuracy of communication is greatly affected by the communication capability and communication status of each communication device. For example, if the communication status is very bad and it is difficult to receive information transmitted from the communication partner normally, if the communication speed is set higher or the reception sensitivity and transmission power are suppressed, further communication The error rate increases and normal communication becomes more difficult.

  Therefore, a method of adjusting the strength of transmission power in accordance with the reception status has been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in recent years, with the development of information processing technology, communication technology has also improved, and there is a communication system that performs communication using a human body or the like as a communication medium using electrostatic coupling. In such a communication system, communication using the human body as a communication medium includes not only the function and communication status of each communication device or the positional relationship between the communication device and the human body, but also the capacitance and load of the human body serving as the communication medium. It is also affected by such characteristics.

JP 2001-320326 A

  However, for example, in the case of the process of adjusting the strength of transmission power according to the reception status as described above, the load and capacitance of the communication medium are not considered. Therefore, depending on the reception situation, the transmission level setting value of the transmission device is unnecessarily increased, and the transmission device may unnecessarily transmit a transmission signal (excessive transmission energy) having a strong signal level to the communication medium. This may also increase the power consumption of the transmission device and the reception device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily perform communication settings more suitable for the characteristics of a communication medium.

  A communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a communication system including a first communication device and a second communication device that communicate via a communication medium, wherein the first communication device is the communication medium. The first communication medium information input receiving means for receiving the input of the first communication medium information which is information for estimating the first communication, and the first communication whose input has been received by the first communication medium information input receiving means First supply means for supplying medium information to the second communication device, and second communication medium information that is information for estimating characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the second communication device are acquired. And the first communication medium information received by the first communication medium information input receiving means or the second communication medium information acquired by the first acquisition means. Based on either one First setting means for making settings related to the communication, and the second communication device receives second communication medium information input receiving means for receiving input of the second communication medium information; The first supply unit that supplies the second communication medium information that has been input by the communication medium information input reception unit to the first communication device, and the first supply unit that is supplied from the first communication device. Second acquisition means for acquiring communication medium information, the second communication medium information received by the second communication medium information input reception means, or the first acquired by the second acquisition means. And second setting means for performing settings related to the communication based on any one of the communication medium information.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the first communication device accepts input of first communication medium information that is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium, and the first communication medium information is the first communication medium information. The second communication medium information, which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium supplied to the second communication apparatus and supplied from the second communication apparatus, is acquired, and the first communication medium information or the second communication medium information is obtained. On the basis of either one of the communication medium information, the communication setting is performed, and the second communication apparatus accepts the input of the second communication medium information, and the second communication medium information is the first communication medium information. First communication medium information supplied to the communication device and supplied from the first communication device is acquired, and communication is performed based on either the second communication medium information or the first communication medium information. Settings are made.

  A communication apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus that communicates with another communication apparatus via a communication medium, and receives communication medium information that is information for estimating characteristics of the communication medium. Communication medium information input receiving means for receiving, and setting means for performing settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information received by the communication medium information input receiving means.

  Guidance display means for displaying a guidance screen for guiding the input of the communication medium information may be further provided.

  The setting means may adjust at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication as the setting related to the communication.

  Communication medium information supply means for supplying the communication medium information whose input has been received by the communication medium information input reception means to the other communication device can be further provided.

  A communication medium information acquisition unit configured to acquire the communication medium information supplied from the other communication device; and the setting unit includes the communication medium information received by the communication medium information input reception unit, or The setting related to the communication can be performed based on the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquisition means.

  The communication medium may be a human body.

  The communication medium information may be human body information related to the human body.

  The communication medium information may be user information related to a user having the human body.

  The communication medium information may be schematic information that schematically represents a setting value set by the setting unit.

  A communication method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a communication apparatus that communicates with another communication apparatus via a communication medium, and is communication medium information that is information for estimating characteristics of the communication medium. And a setting for the communication based on the communication medium information for which the input has been received.

  A program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to perform processing for communicating with another communication device via a communication medium, and is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium. A step of accepting an input of information and performing a setting relating to the communication based on the communication medium information for which the input has been accepted.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, input of communication medium information, which is information for estimating characteristics of a communication medium, is accepted, and settings related to communication are performed based on the communication medium information.

  A communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a communication device that communicates with another communication device via a communication medium, and for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the other communication device. Communication medium information acquisition means for acquiring the communication medium information, which is the information of the communication medium, and setting means for setting the communication based on the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquisition means.

  The setting means may adjust at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication as the setting related to the communication.

  The communication medium may be a human body.

  The communication medium information may be human body information related to the human body.

  The communication medium information may be user information related to a user having the human body.

  The communication medium information may be schematic information that schematically represents a setting value set by the setting unit.

  A communication method or program according to a third aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a communication apparatus that communicates with another communication apparatus via a communication medium, and is provided by the communication medium supplied from the other communication apparatus. Acquiring communication medium information that is information for inferring characteristics, and performing settings related to the communication based on the acquired communication medium information.

  A program according to a third aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to perform processing for communicating with another communication device via a communication medium, and is characterized by the characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the other communication device. The communication medium information, which is information for estimating the communication, is acquired, and the setting related to the communication is performed based on the acquired communication medium information.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, communication medium information that is supplied from another communication device and is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium is acquired, and settings related to communication are made based on the communication medium information. Done.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, communication can be performed. In particular, communication settings more suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium can be easily performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the invention described in this specification and the embodiments of the invention is exemplified as follows. This description is intended to assure that embodiments supporting the claimed invention are described in this specification. Therefore, although there is an embodiment which is described in the embodiment of the invention but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, it means that the embodiment is not It does not mean that it does not correspond to the invention. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in this specification. In other words, this description is an invention described in the present specification and is not claimed in this application, that is, an invention that will be filed in the future or added by amendment. Is not to deny.

  The communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a first communication device and a second communication device (for example, each communication device in FIG. 46) that perform communication via a communication medium (for example, the communication medium in FIG. 46). The first communication device receives a first communication medium information input that is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium. The communication medium information input receiving means (for example, the communication medium information input receiving unit in FIG. 46) and the first communication medium information received by the first communication medium information input receiving means as the second communication medium information. First supply means for supplying to the communication device (for example, communication medium information supply unit in FIG. 46) and second information that is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the second communication device First to acquire communication medium information Acquired by the acquisition means (for example, the communication medium information acquisition unit in FIG. 46) and the first communication medium information received by the first communication medium information input reception means, or by the first acquisition means. First setting means (for example, a corresponding processing unit in FIG. 46) configured to perform settings related to the communication based on one of the second communication medium information, and the second communication device includes the first communication unit. The second communication medium information input receiving unit (for example, the communication medium information input receiving unit in FIG. 46) that receives the input of the second communication medium information and the input received by the second communication medium information input receiving unit First supply means for supplying second communication medium information to the first communication device (for example, a communication medium information supply unit in FIG. 46), and a first communication medium supplied from the first communication device Get information 2 acquisition means (for example, the communication medium information acquisition unit in FIG. 46) and the second communication medium information received by the second communication medium information input reception means, or the second acquisition means. And a second setting unit (for example, a corresponding processing unit in FIG. 46) configured to perform settings related to the communication based on any one of the first communication medium information.

  The communication apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus (for example, FIG. 46) that communicates with another communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus of FIG. 46) via a communication medium (for example, the communication medium of FIG. 46). Communication medium information input receiving means (for example, the communication medium information input receiving unit in FIG. 46) that receives an input of communication medium information that is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium, Setting means (for example, a corresponding processing unit in FIG. 46) configured to make settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information whose input is received by the communication medium information input receiving means.

  Guidance display means for displaying a guidance screen for guiding the input of the communication medium information (for example, the guidance screens of FIGS. 37 to 40) (for example, the communication medium information input acceptance of FIG. 46 for executing the processing of step S92 of FIG. 47) Part).

  The setting means may adjust at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication (for example, a transmission level adjustment unit and a reception gain adjustment unit in FIG. 46) as the setting related to the communication. it can.

  The communication medium information supply unit (for example, the communication medium information supply unit in FIG. 46) that supplies the communication medium information that has been input by the communication medium information input reception unit to the other communication device is further provided. Can do.

  The information processing apparatus further includes communication medium information acquisition means (for example, a communication medium information acquisition unit in FIG. 46) for acquiring the communication medium information supplied from the other communication device, and the setting means includes the communication medium information input reception means. The communication-related settings can be performed based on the communication medium information that has been accepted or the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquisition unit.

  The communication method or program according to the second aspect of the present invention accepts input of communication medium information that is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium (for example, step S93 in FIG. 47), and the input is accepted. Based on the communication medium information, there is a step of performing settings relating to the communication (for example, step S112 and step S114 in FIG. 48).

  The communication apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus (for example, FIG. 46) that communicates with another communication apparatus (for example, the communication apparatus of FIG. 46) via a communication medium (for example, the communication medium of FIG. 46). Communication medium information acquisition means (for example, the communication medium of FIG. 46) which acquires communication medium information which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the other communication apparatus. An information acquisition unit) and a setting unit (for example, a corresponding processing unit in FIG. 46) configured to perform settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquisition unit.

  The setting means may adjust at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication (for example, a transmission level adjustment unit and a reception gain adjustment unit in FIG. 46) as the setting related to the communication. it can.

  The communication method or program according to the third aspect of the present invention acquires communication medium information that is supplied from the other communication device and is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium (for example, step of FIG. 47). S98) includes a step of performing settings related to the communication based on the acquired communication medium information (for example, step S112 and step S114 in FIG. 48).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 33, as an example of a communication system to which the present invention is applied, a physical reference point path is not required and communication using only a communication signal transmission path is realized. A communication system that is not restricted will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example according to an embodiment of a communication system that performs communication using only a communication signal transmission path without using a physical reference point path.

  In FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a transmission device 110, a reception device 120, and a communication medium 130, and the transmission device 110 and the reception device 120 transmit and receive signals via the communication medium 130. That is, in the communication system 100, the signal transmitted from the transmission device 110 is transmitted via the communication medium 130 and received by the reception device 120.

  The transmission device 110 includes a transmission signal electrode 111, a transmission reference electrode 112, and a transmission unit 113. The transmission signal electrode 111 is one electrode of an electrode pair provided for transmitting a signal to be transmitted through the communication medium 130, and the communication medium 130 is more than the transmission reference electrode 112 which is the other electrode of the electrode pair. Are provided so that electrostatic coupling is strong. The transmission unit 113 is provided between the transmission signal electrode 111 and the transmission reference electrode 112, and gives an electric signal (potential difference) to be transmitted to the reception device 120 between these electrodes.

  The reception device 120 includes a reception signal electrode 121, a reception reference electrode 122, and a reception unit 123. The reception signal electrode 121 is one electrode of an electrode pair provided for receiving a signal transmitted via the communication medium 130, and the communication medium is more than the reception reference electrode 122 which is the other electrode of the electrode pair. 130 is provided so that electrostatic coupling is strong. The reception unit 123 is provided between the reception signal electrode 121 and the reception reference electrode 122, detects an electric signal (potential difference) generated between these electrodes by a signal transmitted via the communication medium 130, and detects the electric signal. The signal is converted into a desired electrical signal, and the electrical signal generated by the transmission unit 113 of the transmission device 110 is restored.

  The communication medium 130 is made of a substance having physical characteristics capable of transmitting an electrical signal, such as a conductor or a dielectric. For example, the communication medium 130 is a conductor typified by a metal such as copper, iron, or aluminum, a dielectric typified by pure water, rubber, glass, or the like, or a living body that is a composite thereof, or saline. Like electrolytes, etc., it is made of a material having both properties as a conductor and properties as a dielectric. The communication medium 130 may have any shape, for example, a linear shape, a plate shape, a spherical shape, a prism shape, a cylindrical shape, or any other shape. Also good.

  In such a communication system 100, first, the relationship between each electrode and the communication medium or the space around the apparatus will be described. In the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the communication medium 130 is a complete conductor. Further, it is assumed that there is a space between the transmission signal electrode 111 and the communication medium 130 and between the reception signal electrode 121 and the communication medium 130 and there is no electrical coupling. That is, a capacitance is formed between the transmission signal electrode 111 or the reception signal electrode 121 and the communication medium 130.

  The transmission reference electrode 112 is provided so as to face the space around the transmission device 110, and the reception reference electrode 122 is provided so as to face the space around the reception device 120. Generally, when a conductor sphere exists in a space, a capacitance is formed between the conductor sphere and the space. For example, when the shape of the conductor is a sphere having a radius of r [m], the capacitance C is obtained as in the following formula (1).

  In the formula (1), π represents a circumference ratio. Further, ε represents a dielectric constant and is obtained as in the following formula (2).

However, in Formula (2), ε ₀ indicates a dielectric constant in a vacuum, and is 8.854 × 10 ⁻¹² [F / m]. Further, ε _r represents a relative dielectric constant, and represents a ratio to a vacuum dielectric constant ε ₀ .

  As shown in the above formula (1), the larger the radius r, the larger the capacitance C. In addition, although the magnitude | size of the electrostatic capacitance C of a conductor of complicated shape other than a sphere cannot be expressed simply like Formula (1) mentioned above, it changes according to the magnitude | size of the surface area of the conductor. It is clear to do.

  As described above, the transmission reference electrode 112 forms a capacitance with respect to the space around the transmission device 110, and the reception reference electrode 122 forms a capacitance with respect to the space around the reception device 120. That is, when viewed from the virtual infinity point outside the transmission device 110 and the reception device 120, the potential of the transmission reference electrode 112 and the reception reference electrode 122 increases with the increase in capacitance. Is shown.

  Next, the principle of communication in the communication system 100 will be described. In the following description, a capacitor may be simply expressed as a capacitance for convenience of explanation or from the context, etc., but these are consents.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the transmission device 110 and the reception device 120 in FIG. 1 are arranged so as to maintain a sufficient distance between the devices, and the mutual influence can be ignored. Further, in the transmission device 110, the transmission signal electrode 111 is electrostatically coupled only to the communication medium 130, and the transmission reference electrode 112 is placed at a sufficient distance from the transmission signal electrode 111, and the mutual influence can be ignored (electrostatic). Shall not be combined). Similarly, in the receiving device 120, the reception signal electrode 121 is electrostatically coupled only with the communication medium 130, and the reception reference electrode 122 is sufficiently spaced from the reception signal electrode 121, and the mutual influence can be ignored (static). Shall not be electrocoupled). Furthermore, in practice, the transmission signal electrode 111, the reception signal electrode 121, and the communication medium 130 also have capacitance to the space as long as they are arranged in the space, but here, for convenience of explanation. , They can be ignored.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 with an equivalent circuit. The communication system 200 is an equivalent circuit of the communication system 100 and is substantially equivalent to the communication system 100.

  That is, the communication system 200 includes a transmission device 210, a reception device 220, and a connection line 230. The transmission device 210 corresponds to the transmission device 110 of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the receiving device 120 of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the connection line 230 corresponds to the communication medium 130 of the communication system 100 shown in FIG.

  In the transmission device 210 of FIG. 2, the signal source 213-1 and the reference point 213-2 within the transmission device correspond to the transmission unit 113 of FIG. The signal source 213-1 generates a sine wave having a specific period ω × t [rad] as a transmission signal. Here, t [s] indicates time. Further, ω [rad / s] represents an angular frequency and can be expressed as the following equation (3).

  In Expression (3), π represents a circular ratio, and f [Hz] represents a frequency of a signal generated by the signal source 213-1. The reference point 213-2 in the transmission device is a point connected to the circuit ground in the transmission device 210. That is, one of the terminals of the signal source 213-1 is set to a predetermined reference potential of a circuit in the transmission device 210.

  Cte 214 is a capacitor and represents the capacitance between the transmission signal electrode 111 and the communication medium 130 of FIG. In other words, the Cte 214 is provided between the connection line 230 and the terminal of the signal source 213-1 on the opposite side to the reference point 213-2 in the transmission apparatus. Further, Ctg 215 is a capacitor and represents the capacitance with respect to the space of the transmission reference electrode 112 in FIG. The Ctg 215 is provided between a terminal on the reference point 213-2 in the transmission apparatus of the signal source 213-1 and a reference point 216 that indicates an infinite point (virtual point) with respect to the transmission apparatus 210 in space. I have.

  In the receiving device 220 of FIG. 2, Rr 223-1, detector 223-2, and in-receiving device reference point 223-3 correspond to the receiving unit 123 of FIG. Rr 223-1 is a load resistance (reception load) for extracting a reception signal. A detector 223-2 configured by an amplifier detects and amplifies the potential difference between the terminals on both sides of the Rr 223-1. The receiving device reference point 223-3 is a point connected to the circuit ground in the receiving device 220. That is, one of the terminals of Rr 223-1 (one of the input terminals of the detector 223-2) is set to a predetermined reference potential of the circuit in the receiving device 220.

  The detector 223-2 may further have other functions such as demodulating the detected modulated signal and decoding encoded information included in the detected signal. Good.

  Cre 224 is a capacitor and represents the capacitance between the reception signal electrode 121 and the communication medium 130 of FIG. That is, Cre 224 is provided between the terminal opposite to reference point 223-3 in the receiving device of Rr 223-1 and connection line 230. Crg 225 is a capacitor and represents the capacitance with respect to the space of the reception reference electrode 122 in FIG. The Crg 225 is provided between the terminal on the reference point 223-3 in the receiving device of the Rr 223-1 and the reference point 226 that indicates an infinite point (virtual point) with respect to the receiving device 120 in space. Yes.

  The connection line 230 represents the communication medium 130 that is a perfect conductor. In the communication system 200 of FIG. 2, Ctg 215 and Crg 225 are expressed as being electrically connected to each other via a reference point 216 and a reference point 226 on an equivalent circuit. These do not need to be electrically connected to each other, and each of them only needs to form a capacitance with respect to the space around the transmitter 210 or the receiver 220. If there is a conductor, it is important that a capacitance proportional to the size of the surface area is always formed in the surrounding space. Note that the reference point 216 and the reference point 226 do not need to be electrically connected and may be independent of each other.

  Further, when the communication medium 130 of FIG. 1 is a perfect conductor, the conductivity of the connection line 230 can be regarded as infinite, so the length of the connection line 230 of FIG. 2 does not affect communication. If the communication medium 130 is a conductor having sufficient conductivity, the distance between the transmission device and the reception device does not affect the stability of communication in practice. Therefore, in such a case, the distance between the transmission device 210 and the reception device 220 may be as long as possible.

In the communication system 200, a circuit including a signal source 213-1, Rr 223-1, Cte 214, Ctg 215, Cre 224, and Crg 225 is formed. The combined capacitance C _x of the four capacitors (Cte 214, Ctg 215, Cre capacitor 224, and Crg 225) connected in series can be expressed by the following equation (4).

Further, the sine wave v _t (t) generated by the signal source 213-1 is expressed as the following equation (5).

Here, V _m [V] represents the maximum amplitude voltage of the signal source voltage, and θ [rad] represents the initial phase angle. At this time, the effective value V _trms [V] of the voltage by the signal source 213-1 can be obtained as in the following equation (6).

  The synthetic impedance Z in the entire circuit can be obtained as in the following equation (7).

That is, the effective value V _{rrms of the} voltage generated at both ends of _{Rr 223-1} can be obtained as shown in Expression (8).

Therefore, as shown in the equation (8), as the resistance value of Rr 223-1 is larger, the capacitance C _x is larger, and the frequency f [Hz] of the signal source 213-1 is higher, 1 / ( The term (2 × π × f × C _x ) ² ) is reduced, and a larger signal can be generated at both ends of Rr 223-1.

For example, the effective value V _trms of the voltage by the signal source 213-1 of the transmission device 210 is fixed to 2 [V], and the frequency f of the signal generated by the signal source 213-1 is 1 [MHz], 10 [MHz], Or 100 [MHz], the resistance value of Rr 223-1 is 10K [Ω], 100K [Ω], or 1M [Ω], and the capacitance C _x of the entire circuit is 0.1 [pF], 1 [pF ] Or 10 [pF], the calculation result of the effective value V _rrms of the voltage generated at both ends of _{Rr 223-1} is as shown in Table 250 shown in FIG.

As shown in Table 250, when the other conditions are the same, the calculation result of the voltage effective value V _rrms is _larger when the frequency f is 10 [MHz] than when the frequency f is 1 [MHz]. The resistance value of the load Rr223-1 is 1 M [Ω] larger than that of 10 K [Ω], and the capacitance C _x is 10 [pF] than that of 0.1 [pF]. Time takes a larger value. That is, the larger the value of frequency f, the resistance value of Rr 223-1, and the capacitance C _x , the larger the effective value V _{rrms of the} voltage.

  Further, it can be seen from Table 250 that an electrical signal is generated in Rr 223-1 even with a capacitance of picofarad or less. That is, when the signal level of the transmitted signal is very small, communication can be performed by amplifying the signal detected by the detector 223-2 of the receiving device 220.

  Next, a calculation example of each parameter of the communication system 200 having the equivalent circuit described above will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a calculation example including the influence of the physical configuration of the communication system 100.

  A communication system 300 shown in FIG. 4 is a system corresponding to the communication system 100 of FIG. 1, and is obtained by adding information related to the physical configuration of the communication system 100 to the communication system 200 of FIG. That is, the communication system 300 includes a transmission device 310, a reception device 320, and a communication medium 330. In comparison with the communication system 100 in FIG. 1, the transmission device 310 corresponds to the transmission device 110, the reception device 320 corresponds to the reception device 120, and the communication medium 330 corresponds to the communication medium 130.

  The transmission device 310 includes a transmission signal electrode 311 corresponding to the transmission signal electrode 111, a transmission reference electrode 312 corresponding to the transmission reference electrode 112, and a signal source 313-1 corresponding to the transmission unit 113. That is, the transmission signal electrode 311 is connected to one of the terminals on both sides of the signal source 313-1 and the transmission reference electrode 312 is connected to the other. The transmission signal electrode 311 is provided so as to be close to the communication medium 330. The transmission reference electrode 312 is provided so as not to be influenced by the communication medium 330, and is provided so as to have a capacitance with respect to a space outside the transmission device 310. In FIG. 2, the transmission unit 113 has been described so that the signal source 213-1 and the reference point 213-2 in the transmission apparatus correspond to each other. However, in the case of FIG. Dots are omitted.

  Similarly to the case of the transmission device 310, the reception device 320 also includes the reception signal electrode 321 corresponding to the reception signal electrode 121, the reception reference electrode 322 corresponding to the reception reference electrode 122, the Rr 323-1 corresponding to the reception unit 123, and the detection. It has a device 323-2. That is, the reception signal electrode 321 is connected to one of the terminals on both sides of the Rr 323-1 and the reception reference electrode 322 is connected to the other. The reception signal electrode 321 is provided so as to be close to the communication medium 330. The reception reference electrode 322 is provided so as not to be affected by the communication medium 330, and is provided so as to have a capacitance with respect to a space outside the reception device 320. In FIG. 2, the receiving unit 123 has been described so that the Rr 223-1, the detector 223-2, and the reference point 223-3 in the receiving apparatus correspond to each other. However, in the case of FIG. In-apparatus reference points are omitted.

  It is assumed that the communication medium 330 is a complete conductor as in the case of FIGS. The transmitting device 310 and the receiving device 320 are arranged at a sufficient distance from each other, and the mutual influence can be ignored. The transmission signal electrode 311 is electrostatically coupled only to the communication medium 330. Further, the transmission reference electrode 312 is disposed with a sufficient distance from the transmission signal electrode 311, and the mutual influence can be ignored. Similarly, the reception signal electrode 321 is electrostatically coupled only to the communication medium 330. Further, the reception reference electrode 322 is disposed with a sufficient distance from the reception signal electrode 321, and the mutual influence can be ignored. Strictly speaking, the transmission signal electrode 311, the reception signal electrode 321, and the communication medium 330 have a capacitance with respect to space, but here, for convenience of explanation, these can be ignored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the communication system 300, the transmission device 310 is disposed at one end of the communication medium 330 and the reception device 320 is disposed at the other end.

It is assumed that there is a distance dte [m] between the transmission signal electrode 311 and the communication medium 330. Further, when the transmission signal electrode 311 is a conductor disk having a surface area of Ste [m ² ] on one side, a capacitance Cte 314 formed between the transmission medium 330 and the communication medium 330 is obtained by the following equation (9). I can do it.

Formula (9) is a calculation formula generally known as the capacitance of a parallel plate. In the above equation, ε represents a dielectric constant. Now, assuming that the communication system 300 is placed in the air, the relative dielectric constant ε _r can be regarded as approximately 1. Therefore, the dielectric constant ε is a dielectric constant in a vacuum. It can be regarded as equivalent to ε ₀ . The transmission signal electrode 311 has a surface area Ste of 2 × 10 ⁻³ [m ² ] (diameter of about 5 [cm]) and an interval dte of 5 × 10 ⁻³ [m] (5 [mm]). Is obtained as shown in the following equation (10).

  Note that the above equation (9) is strictly established as an actual physical phenomenon when the relationship of Ste >> dte is satisfied, but here it can be approximated by the equation (9). .

  Next, the capacitance Ctg 315 including the transmission reference electrode 312 and the space (capacitance between the transmission reference electrode 312 and the reference point 316 indicating a virtual infinity point from the transmission reference electrode 312) will be described. . In general, when a disk having a radius r [m] is placed in a space, the capacitance C [F] formed between the disk and the space can be obtained by the following equation (11). .

If the transmission reference electrode 312 is a conductor disk having a radius rtg = 2.5 × 10 ⁻² [m] (radius 2.5 [cm]), a capacitance Ctg 315 including a transmission reference electrode 317 and a space is Using the above equation (11), the following equation (12) is obtained. Note that the communication system 300 is placed in the air, and the dielectric constant of the space can be approximated by a vacuum dielectric constant ε ₀ .

The size of the reception signal electrode 321 is the same as that of the transmission signal electrode 311 (conductor disk of Sre [m ² ] = Ste [m ² ]), and the distance from the communication medium 330 is also the same (dre [m] = dte [m ]), The electrostatic capacity Cre 324 including the reception signal electrode 321 and the communication medium 330 is 3.5 [pF] as in the transmission side. Further, if the size of the reception reference electrode 322 is the same as that of the transmission reference electrode 312 (a conductor disk having a radius rrg [m] = rtg [m]), an electrostatic capacity (reception reference) including the reception reference electrode 322 and a space. The capacitance (Crg 325) between the electrode 322 and the reference point 326 indicating a virtual infinity point from the reception reference electrode 322 is 1.8 [pF] as in the transmission side. From the above, the combined electrostatic capacitance C _x composed of the four electrostatic capacitances of Cte 314, Ctg 315, Cre 324, and Crg 325 can be obtained as the following equation (13) using the above equation (4).

When the frequency f of the signal source 313-1 is 1 [MHz], the effective value V _{trms of the} voltage is 2 [V], and Rr323-1 is 100 K [Ω], the voltage V _rrms generated at both ends of the _Rr323-1 is The following equation (14) can be obtained.

  From the above results, as a basic principle, it is possible to transfer a signal from the transmission device to the reception device by using the capacitance formed with the space.

  The capacitance with respect to the space of the transmission reference electrode and the reception reference electrode described above can be formed if there is a space at the position of each electrode. Therefore, if the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode described above are coupled by a communication medium, the transmission device and the reception device described above can obtain communication stability without depending on the distance between each other.

  Next, the case where this communication system is actually configured will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation model for each parameter generated on the system when the communication system described above is actually physically configured.

  That is, the communication system 400 includes the transmission device 410, the reception device 420, and the communication medium 430, and is a system corresponding to the communication system 100 (the communication system 200 and the communication system 300) described above. The configuration is basically the same as that of the communication system 100 to the communication system 300 except for the difference.

  That is, in comparison with the communication system 300, the transmission device 410 corresponds to the transmission device 310, the transmission signal electrode 411 of the transmission device 410 corresponds to the transmission signal electrode 311, and the transmission reference electrode 412 corresponds to the transmission reference electrode 312. Correspondingly, the signal source 431-1 corresponds to the signal source 331-1. In addition, the reception device 420 corresponds to the reception device 320, the reception signal electrode 421 of the reception device 420 corresponds to the reception signal electrode 321, the reception reference electrode 422 corresponds to the reception reference electrode 322, and Rr423-1 corresponds to Rr323-1. The detector 423-2 corresponds to the detector 323-2. Further, the communication medium 430 corresponds to the communication medium 330.

The parameters Cte 414 between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430 correspond to the Cte 314 of the communication system 300, and the capacitance Ctg 415 with respect to the space of the transmission reference electrode 412 is the Ctg 315 of the communication system 300. , And reference point 416-1 and reference point 416-2 indicating a virtual infinity point in space from transmitting apparatus 410 correspond to reference point 316 of communication system 300. The transmission signal electrode 411 is a disk-shaped electrode having an area Ste [m ² ], and is provided at a position separated from the communication medium 430 by a minute distance dte [m]. The transmission reference electrode 412 is also a disk-like electrode, and its radius is rtg [m].

On the receiving device 420 side, the electrostatic capacity Cre 424 between the reception signal electrode 421 and the communication medium 430 corresponds to the Cre 324 of the communication system 300, and the electrostatic capacity Crg 425 with respect to the space of the reception reference electrode 422 corresponds to the Crg 325 of the communication system 300. Correspondingly, a reference point 426-1 and a reference point 426-2 indicating a virtual infinity point in space from the receiving apparatus 420 correspond to the reference point 326 of the communication system 300. The reception signal electrode 421 is a disk-shaped electrode having an area Sre [m ² ], and is provided at a position separated from the communication medium 430 by a minute distance dre [m]. The reception reference electrode 422 is also a disk-shaped electrode, and its radius is rrg [m].

  The communication system 400 of FIG. 5 is a model in which the following new parameters are added to the above parameters.

  For example, with respect to the transmission device 410, a capacitance Ctb 417-1 formed between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412, and a capacitance Cth 417-2 formed between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the space. , And a capacitance Cti 417-3 formed between the transmission reference electrode 412 and the communication medium 430 is added as a new parameter.

  As for the receiving device 420, an electrostatic capacitance Crb 427-1 formed between the reception signal electrode 421 and the reception reference electrode 422, and an electrostatic capacitance Crh 427-2 formed between the reception signal electrode 421 and the space. , And a capacitance Cri427-3 formed between the reception reference electrode 422 and the communication medium 430 is added as a new parameter.

  Further, with respect to the communication medium 430, an electrostatic capacitance formed between the communication medium 430 and the space (a static point between the communication medium 430 and a reference point 436 indicating a virtual infinity point from the communication medium 430). Electric capacity) Cm 432 is added as a new parameter. Actually, since the communication medium 430 has an electric resistance depending on its size, material, and the like, resistance values Rm431 and Rm433 are added as new parameters as resistance components.

  Although omitted in the communication system 400 of FIG. 5, when the communication medium has not only conductivity but also dielectric properties, a capacitance according to the dielectric constant is also formed. In addition, when the communication medium is not conductive and is formed only of dielectric, an electrostatic capacitance determined by the dielectric constant, distance, size, and arrangement of the dielectric between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the reception signal electrode 421. It will be coupled by capacity.

  In addition, here, when the transmission device 410 and the reception device 420 are separated from each other to such an extent that the electrostatic coupling elements can be ignored (the influence of electrostatic coupling between the transmission device 410 and the reception device 420). (If it can be ignored). If the distance is short, it may be necessary to consider the electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes in the transmitter 410 and the electrodes in the receiver 420 according to the above-described concept. is there.

  Next, the operation of the communication system 400 of FIG. 5 will be described using electric lines of force. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are schematic diagrams expressing the relationship between the electrodes of the transmission device 410 of the communication system 400 or between the electrodes and the communication medium 430 using lines of electric force.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the distribution of lines of electric force when the communication medium 430 does not exist for the transmission device 410 of the communication system 400. Now, it is assumed that the transmission signal electrode 411 has a positive charge (positively charged), and the transmission reference electrode 412 has a negative charge (negatively charged). The arrows in the figure indicate lines of electric force, and the direction is from positive charges to negative charges. The electric field lines do not disappear suddenly on the way, and have either the property of reaching an object having a charge with an opposite sign or reaching a virtual infinity point.

  Here, the electric lines of force 451 indicate the electric lines of force emitted from the transmission signal electrode 411 that have reached the infinity point. The electric lines of force 452 indicate lines of electric force reaching the transmission reference electrode 412 that reach the virtual infinity point. The electric lines of force 453 indicate electric lines of force generated between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412. The distribution of these lines of electric force is affected by the size and positional relationship of each electrode.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the distribution of lines of electric force when the communication medium 430 is brought close to such a transmission apparatus 410. Since the communication medium 430 approaches the transmission signal electrode 411, the coupling between the two becomes stronger, and many of the electric force lines 451 that have reached the infinity point in FIG. 6 become electric force lines 461 that reach the communication medium 430. The electric force line 463 to the point at infinity (the electric force line 451 in FIG. 6) decreases. Accordingly, the capacitance (Cth 417-2 in FIG. 5) with respect to the infinity point when viewed from the communication signal electrode 411 is weakened, and the capacitance with the communication medium 430 (Cte 414 in FIG. 5) is increased. In practice, there is also electrostatic coupling (Cti 417-3 in FIG. 5) between the transmission reference electrode 412 and the communication medium 430, but it can be ignored here.

  According to Gauss's law, the number N of lines of electric force exiting through any closed surface S is equal to the total charge contained in the closed surface S divided by the dielectric constant ε. The charge outside the closed curved surface S is not affected. When n charges are present on the closed curved surface S, the following equation is established.

Here, i is an integer. The variable q _i indicates the charge amount of each charge. According to this law, the electric lines of force that spring out from the closed curved surface S are determined only by the electric lines of force generated from the charges existing in the closed curved surface S, and all the electric lines of force that enter from the outside are from different locations. Indicates going out.

  According to this law, if the communication medium 430 is not grounded in FIG. 7, there is no charge generation source on the closed curved surface 471 near the communication medium 430. In the region 472, a charge Q3 is induced by electrostatic induction. Since the communication medium 430 is not grounded, the total charge amount of the communication medium 430 does not change. Therefore, in the region 473 outside the region 472 in which the charge Q3 is induced, the charge Q4 having the same amount and different sign is present. The electric lines of force 464 that are induced and thereby exit from the closed curved surface 471. The charge Q4 is more diffused as the communication medium is larger, and the charge density is also reduced. Accordingly, the number of electric lines of force per unit area is also reduced.

In the case where the communication medium 430 is a perfect conductor, due to the property of the perfect conductor, there is a property that the electric potential density is almost the same regardless of the part due to the characteristic that the potential is the same regardless of the part. When the communication medium 430 is a conductor having a resistance component, the number of electric lines of force also decreases according to the distance according to the resistance component. When the communication medium 430 is a dielectric material having no conductivity, the electric lines of force are diffused and propagated by the polarization action. When n conductors are present in the space, the charge Q _i of each conductor can be obtained by the following equation.

Here, i and j are integers, and C _ij represents a capacitance coefficient composed of the conductor i and the conductor j, and may be considered to have the same property as the capacitance. The capacitance coefficient is determined only from the shapes of the conductors and their positional relationship. The capacitance coefficient C _ii is a capacitance that the conductor i itself forms with respect to the space. Also, C _ij = C _ji . In equation (16), it is shown that a system composed of a plurality of conductors operates based on the principle of superposition, and corresponds to the sum of products of the capacitance between conductors and the potential of each conductor. It is shown that the electric charge of the conductor is determined.

  Now, parameters related to each other in FIG. 7 and Expression (16) are determined as follows. For example, Q1 represents the charge induced in the transmission signal electrode 411, Q2 represents the charge induced in the transmission reference electrode 412, and Q3 represents the charge induced in the communication medium 430 by the transmission signal electrode 411. , Q4 represents a charge on the communication medium 430 having the same sign as the charge Q3.

  In addition, V1 represents the potential of the transmission signal electrode 411 with respect to the infinity point, V2 represents the potential of the transmission reference electrode 412 with respect to the infinity point, and V3 represents the communication medium 430. , C12 represents a capacitance coefficient between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412, C13 represents a capacitance coefficient between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430, and C15 Indicates the transmission signal electrode 411 and the space capacitance coefficient, C25 indicates the transmission signal electrode 411 and the space capacitance coefficient, and C45 indicates the communication medium 430 and the space capacitance coefficient.

  At this time, the charge Q3 can be obtained as follows.

  In order to inject more electric field into the communication medium 430, the charge Q3 may be increased. For this purpose, the capacitance coefficient C13 between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430 is increased, and a sufficient potential V1 is set. Give it. The capacitance coefficient C13 is determined only by the shape and the positional relationship, but the capacitance increases as the distance between them is closer and the facing area is larger. Next, the potential is V1, and this potential needs to be sufficiently generated when viewed from the infinity point. When viewed from the transmission device 410, a potential difference is given between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412 by the signal source. In order to generate this potential difference as a sufficient potential difference even when viewed from the infinity point, The behavior of the transmission reference electrode 412 becomes important.

  If the transmission reference electrode 412 is very small and the transmission signal electrode 411 is sufficiently large, the capacitance coefficients C12 and C25 are small. On the other hand, since the capacitance coefficients C13, C15, and C45 have a large capacitance, they are less likely to fluctuate electrically, and most of the potential difference generated by the signal source appears as the potential V2 of the transmission reference electrode 412 and is transmitted. The potential V1 of the signal electrode 411 is reduced.

  This is shown in FIG. Since the transmission reference electrode 481 is minute, it does not couple with any conductor or infinity point. The transmission signal electrode 411 forms a capacitance Cte with the communication medium 430 and forms a capacitance Cth 417-2 with respect to the space. Further, the communication medium 430 forms a capacitance Cm 432 with respect to the space. Even if a potential is generated at the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412, the capacitances Cte 414, Cth 417-2, and Cm 432 related to the transmission signal electrode 411 are overwhelmingly large. Although energy is required, since the capacitance of the transmission reference electrode 481 on the opposite side of the signal source 413-1 is weak, the potential of the transmission signal electrode 411 hardly changes and most of the potential fluctuation of the signal source 413-1 does not change. Appears on the transmission reference electrode 481 side.

  On the other hand, if the transmission signal electrode 411 is very small and the transmission reference electrode 481 is sufficiently large, the capacitance of the transmission reference electrode 481 increases and the transmission signal electrode 411 is less likely to fluctuate electrically. Although a sufficient potential V1 is generated, a sufficient electric field cannot be injected because the electrostatic coupling with the communication medium 430 is weakened.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a transmission reference electrode that can provide a sufficient potential while injecting an electric field necessary for communication from the transmission signal electrode into the communication medium in the overall balance.
Here, only the transmission side is considered, but the same can be considered between the electrode of the reception device 420 and the communication medium 430 in FIG.

  The infinity point does not have to be physically far away, and in practice it is only necessary to consider the space around the device, but more ideally, the potential fluctuation is more stable in the system as a whole. It is desirable that there is little. Under actual usage conditions, there are noises generated from AC power lines, lighting equipment, and other electrical equipment, but these noises do not overlap at least in the frequency band used by the signal source or can be ignored. Good.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the model (communication system 400) shown in FIG. That is, as in the relationship between FIGS. 2 and 4, the communication system 500 illustrated in FIG. 9 corresponds to the communication system 400 illustrated in FIG. 5, and the transmission device 510 of the communication system 500 is connected to the transmission device 410 of the communication system 400. Correspondingly, the receiving device 520 of the communication system 500 corresponds to the receiving device 420 of the communication system 400, and the connection line 530 of the communication system 500 corresponds to the communication medium 430 of the communication system 400.

  Similarly, in the transmission apparatus 510 of FIG. 9, the signal source 513-1 corresponds to the signal source 413-1. In the transmission apparatus 510 of FIG. 9, the transmission apparatus internal reference indicating the ground in the circuit inside the transmission unit 113 of FIG. 1, corresponding to the transmission apparatus reference point 213-2 of FIG. Point 513-2 is shown.

  Further, Cte 514 in FIG. 9 is a capacitance corresponding to Cte 414 in FIG. 5, Ctg 515 is a capacitance corresponding to Ctg 415 in FIG. 5, and the reference point 516-1 and the reference point 516-2 are These correspond to the reference point 416-1 and the reference point 416-2, respectively. Further, Ctb 517-1 is a capacitance corresponding to Ctb 417-1, Cth 517-2 is a capacitance corresponding to Cth 417-2, and Cti 517-3 is a capacitance corresponding to Cti 417-3.

  The same applies to each part of the receiving device 520, and Rr 523-1 and detector 523-2, which are reception resistors, correspond to Rr 423-1 and detector 423-2 in FIG. 5, respectively. In the receiving apparatus 520 in FIG. 9, the reference in the receiving apparatus that indicates the ground in the circuit in the receiving unit 123 in FIG. 1 corresponding to the reference point 223-3 in the receiving apparatus in FIG. Point 523-3 is shown.

  In addition, Cre 524 in FIG. 9 is a capacitance corresponding to Cre 424 in FIG. 5, Crg 525 is a capacitance corresponding to Crg 425 in FIG. 5, and the reference point 526-1 and the reference point 526-2 are These correspond to the reference point 426-1 and the reference point 426-2, respectively. Furthermore, Crb527-1 is the capacitance corresponding to Crb427-1, Crh527-2 is the capacitance corresponding to Crh427-2, and Cri527-3 is the capacitance corresponding to Cri427-3.

  The same applies to each part connected to the connection line 530. Rm531 and Rm533, which are resistance components of the connection line, correspond to Rm431 and Rm433, respectively, Cm532 corresponds to Cm432, and the reference point 536 corresponds to the reference point 436. Correspond.

  Such a communication system 500 has the following properties.

  For example, the transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 corresponding to the communication medium 430 as the value of Cte 514 is larger (capacity is higher). Further, the transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 as the value of Ctg 515 is larger (capacity is higher). Further, the transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 as the value of Ctb 517-1 is smaller (capacity is lower). Further, the transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 as the value of Cth 517-2 is smaller (capacity is lower). Furthermore, the transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 as the value of Cti 517-3 is smaller (capacity is lower).

  The reception device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 corresponding to the communication medium 430 as the value of Cre 524 is larger (capacity is higher). In addition, the receiving device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 as the value of Crg 525 is larger (capacity is higher). Furthermore, the receiving device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 as the value of Crb 527-1 is smaller (capacity is lower). In addition, the receiving device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 as the value of Crh527-2 is smaller (capacity is lower). Furthermore, the receiving device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 as the value of Cri527-3 is smaller (capacity is lower). In addition, the receiving device 520 can extract a larger signal from the connection line 530 as the value of Rr 523-1 is lower (resistance is higher).

  The transmission device 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530 as the values of the resistance components Rm 531 and Rm 533 of the connection line 530 are lower (resistance is lower). In addition, the smaller the value of Cm 532 that is the capacitance with respect to the space of the connection line 530 (the lower the capacity), the more the transmitter 510 can apply a larger signal to the connection line 530.

  Since the size of the capacitor is roughly proportional to the surface area of the electrode, it is generally better to increase the size of each electrode. However, simply increasing the size of the electrode also increases the capacitance between the electrodes. There is also a risk of it. In addition, the efficiency may decrease even when the size ratio of the electrodes is extreme. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the size of the electrode and the location of the electrode within the overall balance.

  Note that the property of the communication device 500 described above is that, in the frequency band where the frequency of the signal source 513-1 is high, efficient communication is possible by capturing the equivalent circuit based on the concept of impedance matching and determining each parameter. Become. By increasing the frequency, reactance can be ensured even with a small capacitance, so that each device can be easily downsized.

  In general, the reactance of a capacitor increases as the frequency decreases. On the other hand, since the communication system 500 operates based on capacitive coupling, the lower limit of the frequency of the signal generated by the signal source 513-1 is determined thereby. Since Rm531, Cm532, and Rm533 form a low-pass filter based on the arrangement, the upper limit of the frequency is determined by this characteristic.

  That is, the frequency characteristic of the communication system 500 is as shown by a curve 551 in the graph shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis indicates the frequency, and the vertical axis indicates the gain of the entire system.

  Next, specific numerical values of the parameters of the communication system 400 in FIG. 5 and the communication system 500 in FIG. 9 will be considered. In the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the communication system 400 (communication system 500) is installed in the air. Further, the transmission signal electrode 411, the transmission reference electrode 412, the reception signal electrode 421, and the reception reference electrode 422 of the communication system 400 (the transmission signal electrode 511, the transmission reference electrode 512, the reception signal electrode 521, and the reception reference electrode of the communication system 500). 522) is a conductor disk having a diameter of 5 cm.

  In the communication system 400 of FIG. 5, the capacitance Cte 414 (Cte 514 of FIG. 9) composed of the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430 is given by the above-described equation (9) when the mutual distance dte is 5 mm. And obtained as the following equation (18).

  For Ctb 417-1 (Ctb 517-1 in FIG. 9), which is the capacitance between the electrodes, equation (9) can be applied. Originally, as described above, the equation is established when the area of the electrode is sufficiently larger than the interval, but here it may be approximated. When the distance between the electrodes is 5 cm, Ctb 417-1 (Ctb 517-1 in FIG. 9) is expressed by the following equation (19).

  The assumption here is that if the distance between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430 is narrow, the coupling with the space becomes weak, so the value of Cth 417-2 (Cht 517-2 in FIG. 9) is Cte 414 (Cte 514). It is assumed to be sufficiently smaller than the value of Cte 414 (Cte 514) as shown in the equation (20).

  Ctg 415 (Ctg 515 in FIG. 9) indicating the capacitance formed between the transmission reference electrode 412 and the space is the same as in FIG. 4 (Equation (12)), and can be obtained as in the following Equation (21). .

  The value of Cti417-3 (Cti517-3 in FIG. 9) is considered to be equivalent to Ctb417-1 (Ctb517-1 in FIG. 9) as follows.

  Cti = Ctb = 0.35 [pF]

  Regarding each parameter of the receiving device 420 (receiving device 520 in FIG. 9), if the configuration (size, installation position, etc.) of each electrode is the same as that of the transmitting device 410, each parameter of the transmitting device 410 is as follows. Set in the same way as parameters.

Cre = Cte = 3.5 [pF]
Crb = Ctb = 0.35 [pF]
Crh = Cth = 0.35 [pF]
Crg = Ctg = 1.8 [pF]
Cri = Cti = 0.35 [pF]

  For convenience of explanation, it is assumed below that the communication medium 430 (connection line 530 in FIG. 9) is an object having characteristics similar to a living body of the size of a human body. The electrical resistance from the position of the transmission signal electrode 411 of the communication medium 430 to the position of the reception signal electrode 421 (the position of the transmission signal electrode 511 to the position of the reception signal electrode 521 in FIG. 9) is 1 M [Ω]. The values of Rm 431 and Rm 433 (Rm 531 and Rm 533 in FIG. 9) are set to 500 K [Ω], respectively. Further, the value of the capacitance Cm432 (Cm532 in FIG. 9) formed between the communication medium 430 and the space is set to 100 [pF].

  Further, the signal source 413-1 (the signal source 513-1 in FIG. 9) is a sine wave having a maximum value of 1 [V] and a frequency of 10M [Hz].

  When simulation is performed using the above parameters, a reception signal having a waveform as shown in FIG. 11 is obtained as a simulation result. In the graph shown in FIG. 11, the vertical axis represents the voltage across Rr 423-1 (Rr 523-1), which is the reception load of the receiving device 420 (the receiving device 520 in FIG. 9), and the horizontal axis represents time. . As indicated by a double-headed arrow 552 in FIG. 11, the difference (peak value difference) between the maximum value A and the minimum value B of the waveform of the received signal is observed at about 10 [μV]. Therefore, by amplifying this with an amplifier having a sufficient gain (detector 423-2), the signal on the transmission side (the signal generated in the signal source 413-1) can be restored on the reception side.

  As described above, the communication system to which the present invention is applied as described above does not require a physical reference point path and can realize communication using only the communication signal transmission path, and thus is not restricted by the use environment. A communication environment can be easily provided.

  Next, the arrangement of each electrode in each device will be described. As described above, each electrode has a different role and forms a capacitance with respect to a communication medium, space, or the like. In other words, each electrode is electrostatically coupled to a different partner, and acts using the electrostatic coupling. Therefore, the arrangement method of each electrode is a very important factor for effectively electrostatically coupling each electrode to the target object.

  For example, in the communication system 400 of FIG. 5, in order to efficiently communicate between the transmission device 410 and the reception device 420, it is necessary to arrange each electrode under the following conditions. That is, each device has sufficient capacitance between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the communication medium 430 and the capacitance between the reception signal electrode 421 and the communication medium 422, for example, Both the reference electrode 412 and the space capacitance, and the reception reference electrode 422 and the space capacitance are sufficient, the transmission signal electrode 411 and the transmission reference electrode 412, and the reception signal electrode 421. Between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the space, and the capacitance between the transmission signal electrode 411 and the space, and the capacitance between the reception signal electrode 421 and the space is smaller. Satisfy that. There is a need.

  Examples of the arrangement of the electrodes are shown in FIGS. Note that the electrode arrangement examples described below can be applied to both the transmission device and the reception device. Therefore, in the following, description of the receiving device is omitted, and only the transmitting device is described. When the example shown below is applied to a receiving device, the transmission signal electrode is made to correspond to the reception signal electrode, and the transmission reference electrode is made to correspond to the reception signal electrode.

  In FIG. 12, two electrodes of the transmission signal electrode 554 and the transmission reference electrode 555 are arranged on the same plane of the housing 553. According to this configuration, the capacitance between the electrodes can be reduced as compared with the case where the two electrodes (the transmission signal electrode 554 and the transmission reference electrode 555) are arranged to face each other. When using the transmission apparatus having such a configuration, only one of the two electrodes is brought close to the communication medium. For example, when the housing 553 is configured by two units and a hinge portion, and is connected via the hinge portion so that the relative angle between the two units is variable, the housing 553 is viewed as a whole. Suppose that the hinge 553 is a foldable portable telephone in which the casing 553 can be folded in the vicinity of the center in the longitudinal direction. By applying the electrode arrangement as shown in FIG. 12 to such a foldable mobile phone, one electrode is arranged on the back of the unit on the operation button side, and the other electrode is provided with a display unit. Can be placed on the back of the unit. By arranging in this way, the electrodes arranged in the unit on the operation button side are covered by the user's hand, and the electrodes provided on the back surface of the display unit are arranged facing the space. That is, two electrodes can be disposed so as to satisfy the above-described conditions.

  FIG. 13 shows a housing 553 in which two electrodes (a transmission signal electrode 554 and a transmission reference electrode 555) are arranged to face each other. In this case, compared with the arrangement of FIG. 12, although the electrostatic coupling between the two electrodes is strengthened, it is suitable when the housing 553 is relatively small. In this case, it is desirable that the two electrodes are arranged in a direction in which the distance is as far as possible in the housing 553.

  FIG. 14 shows a case in which two electrodes (a transmission signal electrode 554 and a transmission reference electrode 555) are arranged not to directly face each other in the housing 553, and are arranged on the surfaces of the housing 553 facing each other. In the case of this configuration, the electrostatic coupling between the two electrodes is smaller than that in FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows a case in which two electrodes (a transmission signal electrode 554 and a transmission reference electrode 555) are arranged in a casing 553 so as to be perpendicular to each other. According to this configuration, in a use in which the surface of the transmission signal electrode 554 and the opposite surface thereof are close to the communication medium, the side surface (surface on which the transmission reference electrode 555 is disposed) remains electrostatically coupled with the space. Is possible.

  FIG. 16 shows an arrangement in which the transmission reference electrode 555, which is one of the electrodes, is arranged inside the housing 553 in the arrangement shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, only the transmission reference electrode 555 is provided inside the housing 553. FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating an example of electrode positions when viewed from the surface 556 of FIG. 16A. As shown in FIG. 16B, the transmission signal electrode 554 is disposed on the surface of the housing 553, and only the transmission reference electrode 555 is installed inside the housing 553. According to this configuration, even if the housing 553 is widely covered with a communication medium, communication is possible because the space inside the housing 553 is around one electrode.

  FIG. 17 shows an arrangement in which the transmission reference electrode 555, which is one of the electrodes, is arranged inside the housing 553 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 17A, only the transmission reference electrode 555 is provided inside the housing 553. FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating an example of electrode positions when viewed from the surface 556 of FIG. 17A. As illustrated in FIG. 17B, the transmission signal electrode 554 is disposed on the surface of the housing 553, and only the transmission reference electrode 555 is disposed inside the housing 553. According to this configuration, even if the housing 553 is widely covered with a communication medium, communication is possible because there is room in the housing around one electrode.

  FIG. 18 shows an arrangement in which one of the electrodes is arranged inside the housing in the arrangement shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 18A, only the transmission reference electrode 555 is provided inside the housing 553. FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating an example of electrode positions when viewed from the surface 556 of FIG. 18A. As shown in FIG. 18B, the transmission signal electrode 554 is disposed on the surface of the housing 553, and only the transmission reference electrode 555 is installed inside the housing 553. According to this configuration, even if the casing is widely covered with a communication medium, communication is possible because there is a space in the casing around the transmission reference electrode 555 that is one of the electrodes.

  In any of the electrode arrangements described above, the other electrode is closer to the communication medium than the one electrode, and the other electrode is arranged such that electrostatic coupling with the space is further enhanced. In each arrangement, it is desirable that the electrostatic coupling between the two electrodes be weakened.

  The transmission device or the reception device may be incorporated in some case. In the device of the present invention, there are at least two electrodes, and since these are electrically insulated, the casing is also made of an insulator having a certain thickness. FIG. 19 shows a sectional view around the transmission signal electrode. Since all of the transmission reference electrode, the reception signal electrode, and the reception reference electrode have the same configuration as the transmission signal electrode, the following description can be applied. Therefore, the description about them is omitted.

  FIG. 19A shows a cross-sectional view around the electrode. Since the housing 563 and the housing 564 always have a physical thickness (d [m]) indicated by the double arrow 565, the electrode and the communication medium (for example, the transmission electrode 561 and the communication medium 562), or the electrode At least a gap corresponding to this thickness is generated between the space. As apparent from the above description, it is generally more convenient to increase the capacitance between the electrode and the communication medium or between the electrode and the space.

  Consider a case where the communication medium 562 is in close contact with the housing 563 and the housing 564. In this case, the electrostatic capacitance C between the transmission reference electrode 561 and the communication medium 562 is obtained by (Equation 9), and therefore, the following equation (22) is obtained.

Here, ε ₀ is a vacuum dielectric constant and is a fixed value of 8.854 × 10 ⁻¹² [F / m]. ε _r is the relative dielectric constant of the place, and S is the surface area of the transmission signal electrode 561. By disposing a dielectric having a high relative dielectric constant in the space 566 formed above the transmission signal electrode 561, the capacitance can be increased and the performance can be improved.

  Similarly, the capacitance can be increased with respect to the surrounding space. In the case of FIG. 19A, the dielectric is inserted into the thickness (double arrow 565) portion of the housing, but this is not always necessary, and it may be at an arbitrary position.

  On the other hand, FIG. 19B shows an example in which the electrode is embedded in the housing. In FIG. 19B, the transmission signal electrode 561 is embedded in the housing 567 (so as to be a part of the housing 567). By doing so, the communication medium 562 contacts the housing 567 and simultaneously contacts the transmission signal electrode 561. Further, by forming an insulating layer on the surface of the transmission signal electrode 561, the communication medium 562 and the transmission signal electrode 561 can be brought into contact with each other.

  FIG. 19C shows a case in which the casing 567 is recessed with the surface area and thickness d ′ of the electrode and the transmission signal electrode 561 is embedded in the case of FIG. 19B. When the casing is integrally molded, this method can reduce the manufacturing cost and the component cost, and can easily increase the capacitance.

  According to the above description, for example, when a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the same plane as shown in FIG. 12, by inserting a dielectric on the transmission signal electrode 554 side (or on the transmission reference electrode 555 side). Even if the transmission signal electrode 554 and the transmission reference electrode 555 are combined with the communication medium (by inserting a dielectric having a high dielectric constant into the transmission signal electrode 554 side), the transmission signal electrode Since 554 is more strongly coupled to a communication medium, it is possible to communicate by generating a potential difference between the electrodes.

  Next, the size of the electrode will be described. At least the transmission reference electrode and the reception reference electrode need to form a capacitance with a sufficient space in order for the communication medium to obtain a sufficient potential, but the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode are connected to the communication medium. In consideration of the electrostatic coupling and the nature of the signal to be sent to the communication medium, the optimum size may be set. Therefore, normally, the size of the transmission reference electrode is made larger than the size of the transmission signal electrode, and the size of the reception reference electrode is made larger than the size of the reception signal electrode. However, as long as sufficient signals are obtained for communication, other relationships may be used.

  In particular, when the size of the transmission reference electrode and the size of the transmission signal electrode are matched, and the size of the reception reference electrode and the size of the reception signal electrode are matched, these are seen from the reference point at the infinity point. The electrodes appear to have similar characteristics. For this reason, even if which electrode is used as the reference electrode (signal electrode) (even if the reference electrode and the signal electrode can be interchanged), there is a feature that an equivalent communication performance can be obtained.

  In other words, when the size of the reference electrode and the signal electrode is designed to be different from each other, the communication can be performed only when one electrode (the electrode set as the signal electrode) is brought close to the communication medium. Have

  Next, circuit shielding will be described. In the above, the transmitting unit and receiving unit other than the electrodes have been considered to be transparent in considering the physical configuration of the communication system. However, in order to actually realize this communication system, it is configured with electronic components and the like. It is common to be done. The electronic component is composed of a substance having some electrical properties such as conductivity and dielectric property. However, as long as these components exist around the electrodes, the operation is affected. In the present invention, the electrostatic capacity in the space has various influences, so the electronic circuit mounted on the substrate itself also gives and receives this influence. Therefore, when a more stable operation is expected, it is desirable to shield the whole with a conductor.

  Normally, the shielded conductor can be connected to the transmission reference electrode or the reception reference electrode, which is also the reference potential of the transmitter / receiver, but if there is no problem in operation, connect the shielded conductor to the transmission signal electrode or the reception signal electrode. Also good. Since the conductor of the shield itself has a physical size, it is necessary to consider that it operates in the interrelationship with other electrodes, communication media, and space in accordance with the principle described so far.

  FIG. 20 shows this embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the device operates with a battery, and an electronic component including the battery is housed in a shield case 571, which also serves as a reference electrode. The electrode 572 is a signal electrode.

  Next, the communication medium will be described. As for the communication medium, in the examples so far, the conductor has been exemplified as the main example, but communication is possible even with a dielectric having no conductivity. This is because in the dielectric, the electric field injected from the transmission signal electrode to the communication medium propagates due to the polarization action of the dielectric.

  Specifically, a metal such as an electric wire can be used as the conductor, and pure water or the like can be used as the dielectric. However, communication is possible even with a living body having both properties, or a saline solution. In addition, since it has a dielectric constant in vacuum and air, it can communicate as a communication medium.

  Next, noise will be described. In the space, the potential fluctuates due to various factors such as noise from an AC power source, noise from fluorescent lamps, various home appliances, electrical equipment, and influence of charged fine particles in the air. Until now, these potential fluctuations have been ignored, but these noises overlap each part of the transmission device, communication medium, and reception device.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 as an equivalent circuit including a noise component. That is, the communication system 600 of FIG. 21 corresponds to the communication system 500 of FIG. 9, the transmission device 610 of the communication system 600 corresponds to the transmission device 510 of the communication system 500, and the reception device 620 corresponds to the reception device 520. The connection line 630 corresponds to the connection line 630.

  In the transmission device 610, the signal source 613-1, the reference point 613-2 in the transmission device, Cte 614, Ctg 615, the reference point 616-1, the reference point 616-2, Ctb 617-1, Cth 617-2, and Cti 617-3 are: Signal source 513-1, in-transmission device reference point 513-2, Cte 514, Ctg 515, reference point 516-1, reference point 516-2, Ctb 517-1, Cth 517-2, and Cti 517-3, respectively. Corresponding to However, unlike the case of FIG. 9, the transmission apparatus 610 includes two signal sources, noise 641 and noise 642, between Ctg 615 and reference point 616-1 and Cth 617-2 and reference point 616-2, respectively. Between.

  In the receiving device 620, Rr 623-1, detector 623-2, reference point 623-3 in the receiving device, Cre 624, Crg 625, reference point 626-1, reference point 626-2, Crb 627-1, Crh 627-2, and Cri 627. -3, Rr 523-1, detector 523-2, reference point 523-3 in the reception device, Cre 524, Crg 525, reference point 526-1, reference point 526-2, Crb 527-1, respectively. It corresponds to Crh527-2 and Cri527-3. However, unlike the case of FIG. 9, the receiving device 620 includes two signal sources, noise 644 and noise 645, between Crh 627-2 and reference point 626-2, and Crg 625 and reference point 626-1, respectively. Between.

  In connection line 630, Rm 631, Cm 632, Rm 633, and reference point 636 correspond to Rm 531, Cm 532, Rm 533, and reference point 536 of connection line 530, respectively. However, unlike the case of FIG. 9, the connection line 630 is provided with noise 643 constituted by a signal source between the Cm 532 and the reference point 536.

  Since each device operates based on the reference point 613-2 in the transmission device or the reference point 623-3 in the reception device, which is the ground potential of the device itself, noise that overlaps with the reference point 613-2 in the transmission device and the communication medium As long as the components are relatively the same with respect to the receiving device, the operation is not affected. On the other hand, particularly when the distance between the devices is large or in a noisy environment, there is a high possibility that a relative difference in noise occurs between the devices. That is, the movements of noise 641 to noise 645 are different from each other. If there is no temporal variation, this difference is not a problem as long as the relative difference in signal level to be used is transmitted, but when the noise fluctuation period overlaps the frequency band used, It is necessary to determine the frequency and signal level to be used in consideration of the noise characteristics. In other words, the communication system 600 can determine the frequency and signal level to be used while considering the noise characteristics. It also has tolerance, can eliminate the need for a physical reference point path, and can realize communication using only the communication signal transmission path, so that it is possible to provide a communication environment that is not easily restricted by the use environment.

  Next, the influence on communication due to the distance between the transmission device and the reception device will be described. As described above, according to the principle of the present invention, if a sufficient capacitance can be formed in the space between the transmission reference electrode and the reception reference electrode, a path by the ground in the vicinity between the transmission / reception device and other electrical It does not require a path and does not depend on the distance between the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode. Therefore, for example, as in the communication system 700 shown in FIG. 22, the transmission device 710 and the reception device 720 are placed at a long distance, and the transmission signal electrode 711 and the reception signal are transmitted by the communication medium 730 having sufficient conductivity or dielectric properties. Communication is possible by electrostatically coupling the electrode 721. At this time, the transmission reference electrode 712 is electrostatically coupled to a space outside the transmission device 710, and the reception reference electrode 722 is electrostatically coupled to a space outside the reception device 720. Therefore, the transmission reference electrode 712 and the reception reference electrode 722 do not need to be electrostatically coupled to each other. However, as the communication medium 730 becomes longer and larger, the capacitance with respect to the space also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to consider these when determining each parameter.

  22 is a system corresponding to the communication system 100 in FIG. 1. The transmission device 710 corresponds to the transmission device 110, the reception device 720 corresponds to the reception device 120, and the communication medium 730 is a communication device. This corresponds to the medium 130.

  In the transmission device 710, the transmission signal electrode 711, the transmission reference electrode 712, and the signal source 713-1 correspond to the transmission signal electrode 111, the transmission reference electrode 112, and the transmission unit 113 (or a part thereof), respectively. Similarly, in the reception device 720, the reception signal electrode 721, the reception reference electrode 722, and the signal source 723-1 correspond to the reception signal electrode 121, the reception reference electrode 122, and the reception unit 123 (or a part thereof), respectively. To do.

  Therefore, the description about each of these parts is omitted.

  As described above, the communication system 700 eliminates the need for a physical reference point path and can realize communication using only the communication signal transmission path, so that it is possible to provide a communication environment that is not restricted by the use environment.

  In the above description, the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode are described as being in non-contact with the communication medium. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transmission reference electrode and the reception reference electrode are sufficient between the surrounding spaces of the respective devices. If a sufficient electrostatic capacity can be obtained, the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode may be connected by a conductive communication medium.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a case where a transmission reference electrode and a reception reference electrode are connected via a communication medium.

  In FIG. 23, a communication system 740 is a system corresponding to the communication system 700 of FIG. However, in the case of the communication system 740, the transmission signal electrode 711 does not exist in the transmission device 710, and the transmission device 710 and the communication medium 730 are connected at the contact point 741. Similarly, the reception device 720 in the communication system 740 does not have the reception signal electrode 721, and the reception device 710 and the communication medium 730 are connected at the contact point 742.

  In a normal wired communication system, there are at least two signal lines, and communication is performed using a relative difference between these signal levels. However, according to the present invention, communication is performed with one signal line. It can be performed.

  That is, the communication system 740 can also provide a communication environment that is not restricted by the use environment, because a physical reference point path is unnecessary and communication can be realized only by the communication signal transmission path.

  Next, a specific application example of the communication system as described above will be described. For example, the communication system as described above can use a living body as a communication medium. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication system when communication is performed via a human body. In FIG. 24, the communication system 750 transmits music data from a transmission device 760 attached to the arm of the human body, receives the music data by the reception device 770 attached to the head of the human body, and converts it into voice. This is a system for outputting and allowing the user to view. The communication system 750 is a system corresponding to the above-described communication system (for example, the communication system 100), and the transmission device 760 and the reception device 770 correspond to the transmission device 110 and the reception device 120, respectively. In the communication system 750, the human body 780 is a communication medium and corresponds to the communication medium 130 in FIG.

  That is, the transmission device 760 includes the transmission signal electrode 761, the transmission reference electrode 762, and the transmission unit 763, and corresponds to the transmission signal electrode 111, the transmission reference electrode 112, and the transmission unit 113 in FIG. The reception device 770 includes a reception signal electrode 771, a reception reference electrode 772, and a reception unit 773, and corresponds to the reception signal electrode 121, the reception reference electrode 122, and the reception unit 123 of FIG.

  Therefore, the transmission device 760 and the reception device 770 are installed so that the transmission signal electrode 761 and the reception signal electrode 771 are in contact with or close to the human body 780 that is a communication medium. Since the transmission reference electrode 762 and the reception reference electrode 772 only need to be in contact with the space, there is no need for coupling with the ground in the vicinity or coupling between the transmission / reception devices (or electrodes).

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining another example for realizing the communication system 750. In FIG. 25, the receiving device 770 contacts (or approaches) the human body 780 at the sole portion, and performs communication with the transmitting device 760 attached to the arm portion of the human body 780. Also in this case, the transmission signal electrode 761 and the reception signal electrode 771 are provided so as to be in contact with (or close to) the human body 780 that is a communication medium, and the transmission reference electrode 762 and the reception reference electrode 772 are provided toward the space. ing. In particular, this is an application example that cannot be realized by the prior art in which the earth is one of the communication paths.

  That is, the communication system 750 as described above eliminates the need for a physical reference point path and can realize communication using only the communication signal transmission path, so that it is possible to provide a communication environment that is not restricted by the use environment. it can.

  In the communication system as described above, there is no particular limitation on the modulation method of the signal flowing in the communication medium as long as it can be handled by both the transmission device and the reception device. Based on the characteristics of the entire communication system, , The most suitable method can be selected. Specifically, the modulation method includes any one of a baseband, amplitude-modulated, or frequency-modulated analog signal, a baseband, amplitude-modulated, frequency-modulated, or phase-modulated digital signal, Alternatively, a plurality of mixtures may be used.

  Furthermore, in the communication system as described above, it is possible to establish a plurality of communications by using a single communication medium, and execute full-duplex communication, communication between a plurality of devices using a single communication medium, or the like. You may be able to do it.

  An example of a method for realizing such multiplex communication will be described. The first is a method of applying a spread spectrum method. In this case, a frequency bandwidth and a specific time series code are negotiated between the transmission device and the reception device. Then, the transmission apparatus changes the frequency of the original signal in accordance with the time-series code within this frequency bandwidth, spreads it over the entire frequency band, and transmits it. After receiving the spread component, the receiving device decodes the received signal by integrating the received signal.

  The effect obtained by frequency spreading will be described. According to the channel capacity theorem of Shannon and Hartley, the following equation holds.

  Here, C [bps] indicates the channel capacity, and indicates the theoretical maximum data rate that can be sent to the communication path. B [Hz] indicates the channel bandwidth. S / N indicates a signal-to-noise power ratio (SN ratio). Further, if the above equation is expanded by Macrolin and S / N is low, the above equation (23) can be approximated as the following equation (24).

  Thus, for example, if S / N is a level below the noise floor, S / N << 1, but by increasing the channel bandwidth B, the channel capacity C can be raised to a desired level.

  If the time-series code is different for each communication channel and the frequency spread behavior is different, the frequency spreads without interfering with each other and mutual interference is eliminated, so that multiple communications can be performed simultaneously. it can.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system to which the present invention is applied. In the communication system 800 shown in FIG. 26, four transmission apparatuses 810-1 to 810-4 and five reception apparatuses 820-1 to 820-5 are transmitted via a communication medium 830 using a spread spectrum method. Perform multiplex communication.

  The transmission device 810-1 corresponds to the transmission device 110 of FIG. 1, has a transmission signal electrode 811 and a transmission reference electrode 812, and further has an original signal supply unit 813, multiplication as a configuration corresponding to the transmission unit 113. 814, a spread signal supply unit 815, and an amplifier 816.

  The original signal supply unit 813 supplies the multiplier 814 with an original signal that is a signal before spreading the frequency. The spread signal supply unit 815 supplies a spread signal for spreading the frequency to the multiplier 814. As a typical spreading method using the spread signal, there are two types of methods, a direct sequence method (hereinafter referred to as DS method) and a frequency hopping method (hereinafter referred to as FH method). The DS method is a method in which the multiplier 814 multiplies the above time-series code having at least a frequency component higher than that of the original signal, places the multiplication result on a predetermined carrier wave, amplifies it in the amplifier 815, and outputs it. .

  In the FH system, the carrier wave frequency is changed by the above time-series code to obtain a spread signal, multiplied by the original signal supplied from the original signal supply unit 813 by the multiplier 814, amplified by the amplifier 815, and then output. It is a method. One output of the amplifier 815 is connected to the transmission signal electrode 811, and the other is connected to the transmission reference electrode 812.

  The transmission apparatus 810-2 to the transmission apparatus 810-4 have the same configuration, and the description of the transmission apparatus 810-1 described above can be applied.

  The receiving device 820-1 corresponds to the receiving device 120 of FIG. 1, has a reception signal electrode 821 and a reception reference electrode 822, and further, as a configuration corresponding to the reception unit 123, an amplifier 823, a multiplier 824, A spread signal supply unit 825 and an original signal output unit 826 are provided.

  The receiving device 820-1 first restores the electrical signal based on the method of the present invention, and then performs the original signal (the signal supplied by the original signal supply unit 813) by signal processing opposite to that of the transmitting device 810-1. Restore.

  A frequency spectrum by this method is shown in FIG. The horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents energy. The spectrum 841 is a spectrum with a fixed frequency, but energy is concentrated at a specific frequency. In this method, the signal cannot be restored if the energy drops below the noise floor 843. On the other hand, a spectrum 842 shows a spectrum of a spread spectrum method, but energy is dispersed over a wide frequency band. Since the rectangular area in the figure can be considered to indicate the total energy, the signal of the spectrum 842 integrates the energy over the entire frequency band even though each frequency component is below the noise floor 843. Can restore the original signal and communication is possible.

  By performing communication using the spread spectrum system as described above, the communication system 800 can perform simultaneous communication using the same communication medium 830 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 26, paths 831 to 835 indicate communication paths on the communication medium 830. Further, by using the spread spectrum system, the communication system 800 can perform many-to-one communication as shown by the path 831 and the path 832 or many-to-many communication.

  The second is a method of applying a frequency division method in which a frequency bandwidth is determined between a transmission device and a reception device and is further divided into a plurality of regions. In this case, the transmission device (or the reception device) follows a specific frequency band allocation rule or detects a free frequency band at the start of communication, and performs frequency band allocation based on the detection result.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a communication system to which the present invention is applied. In the communication system 850 shown in FIG. 28, four transmission apparatuses 860-1 to 860-4 and five reception apparatuses 870-1 to 870-5 are connected via a communication medium 880 using a frequency division method. Perform multiplex communication.

  The transmission device 860-1 corresponds to the transmission device 110 of FIG. 1, has a transmission signal electrode 861 and a transmission reference electrode 862, and further has an original signal supply unit 863, a multiplication as a configuration corresponding to the transmission unit 113. 864, a variable frequency source 865, and an amplifier 866.

  The oscillation signal having a specific frequency component generated by the variable frequency oscillation source 865 is multiplied by the original signal supplied from the original signal supply unit 863 by the multiplier 864, amplified by the amplifier 866, and then output. (Filtering shall be performed as appropriate). One output of the amplifier 866 is connected to the transmission signal electrode 861 and the other is connected to the transmission reference electrode 862.

  The transmission apparatuses 860-2 to 860-4 have the same configuration, and the description of the transmission apparatus 860-1 described above can be applied, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The receiving device 870-1 corresponds to the receiving device 120 in FIG. 1 and includes a reception signal electrode 871 and a reception reference electrode 872, and further, as a configuration corresponding to the reception unit 123, an amplifier 873, a multiplier 874, A frequency variable transmission source 875 and an original signal output unit 876 are provided.

  The receiving device 870-1 first restores the electrical signal based on the method of the present invention, and then performs the original signal (the signal supplied by the original signal supply unit 863) by signal processing opposite to that of the transmitting device 860-1. Restore.

  An example of a frequency spectrum by this method is shown in FIG. The horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents energy. Here, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 29, an example is shown in which the entire frequency bandwidth 890 (BW) is divided into five bandwidths 891 to 895 (FW). Each frequency band divided in this way is used for communication on different communication paths. That is, the transmission device 860 (reception device 870) of the communication system 850 suppresses mutual interference as shown in FIG. 28 by using different frequency bands for each communication path, and in one communication medium 880. A plurality of communications can be performed simultaneously. In FIG. 28, paths 881 to 885 indicate communication paths on the communication medium 880. Further, by using the frequency division method, the communication system 850 can perform many-to-one communication as shown by the path 881 and the path 882 and many-to-many communication.

  Here, the communication system 850 (the transmission device 860 or the reception device 870) has been described as dividing the entire bandwidth 890 into five bandwidths 891 to 895, but the number of divisions may be any number. The bandwidths may be different from each other.

  The third is a method of applying a time division method in which the communication time is divided into a plurality of times between the transmission device and the reception device. In this case, the transmission device (or the reception device) follows a specific time division rule or detects a free time region at the start of communication, and divides the communication time based on the detection result.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system to which the present invention is applied. In the communication system 900 shown in FIG. 30, four transmission apparatuses 910-1 to 910-4 and five reception apparatuses 920-1 to 920-5 are connected via a communication medium 930 using a time division method. Perform multiplex communication.

  The transmission device 910-1 corresponds to the transmission device 110 in FIG. 1, includes a transmission signal electrode 911 and a transmission reference electrode 912, and further includes a time control unit 913, a multiplier as a configuration corresponding to the transmission unit 113. 914, a source 915, and an amplifier 916.

  The time control unit 913 outputs an original signal at a predetermined time. The multiplier 914 multiplies the original signal and the oscillation signal supplied from the oscillation source 915 and outputs the result from the amplifier 916 (filtering is performed as appropriate). One output of the amplifier 916 is connected to the transmission signal electrode 911, and the other is connected to the transmission reference electrode 912.

  The transmission apparatuses 910-2 to 910-4 have the same configuration, and the description of the transmission apparatus 910-1 described above can be applied.

  The reception device 920-1 corresponds to the reception device 120 of FIG. 1, includes a reception signal electrode 921 and a reception reference electrode 922, and further includes an amplifier 923, a multiplier 924, and a configuration corresponding to the reception unit 123. A transmission source 925 and an original signal output unit 926 are provided.

  The receiving device 920-1 first restores the electrical signal based on the method of the present invention, and then performs the original signal (original signal supplied by the time control unit 913) by signal processing reverse to that of the transmitting device 920-1. Restore.

  An example of the spectrum on the time axis according to this method is shown in FIG. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates energy. Here, for convenience of explanation, five time bands 941 to 945 are shown, but in practice, the time bands continue to be the same thereafter. Each time band divided in this way is used for communication on different communication paths. That is, the transmission apparatus 910 (reception apparatus 920) of the communication system 900 performs communication in a different time band for each communication path, thereby suppressing mutual interference as illustrated in FIG. , Multiple communications can be performed simultaneously. In FIG. 30, paths 931 to 935 represent communication paths on the communication medium 930. Further, by using the time division method, the communication system 900 can perform many-to-one communication as shown by the path 931 and the path 932 and many-to-many communication.

  Here, the time widths of the respective time zones divided by the communication system 900 (the transmission device 910 or the reception device 920) may be different from each other.

  Furthermore, as a method other than those described above, two or more of the first to third communication methods may be combined.

  The ability of a transmitting device and a receiving device to communicate with multiple other devices at the same time is particularly important in certain applications. For example, assuming application to a ticket for transportation facilities, when a user who possesses both a device A having commuter pass information and a device B having an electronic money function uses an automatic ticket gate, By using the method, communication is performed simultaneously with the devices A and B. For example, when the use section includes a section other than the commuter pass, the shortage amount is deducted from the electronic money of the apparatus B. It can be used for various purposes.

  The flow of communication processing executed in the communication between the transmission apparatus and the reception apparatus as described above, taking the case of communication between the transmission apparatus 110 and the reception apparatus 120 of the communication system 100 in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  The transmission unit 113 of the transmission device 110 generates a signal to be transmitted in step S1, and transmits the generated signal onto the communication medium 130 via the transmission signal electrode 111 in step S2. When the signal is transmitted, the transmission unit 113 of the transmission device ends the communication process. A signal transmitted from the transmission device 110 is supplied to the reception device 120 via the communication medium 130. The reception unit 123 of the reception device 120 receives the signal via the reception signal electrode 121 in step S21, and outputs the received signal in step S22. The receiving unit 123 that has output the received signal ends the communication process.

  As described above, the transmission device 110 and the reception device 120 do not need to construct a closed circuit using the reference electrode, and only transmit and receive signals through the signal electrode, and stable communication processing without being affected by the environment. Can be easily performed. Since the communication processing structure is simple, the communication system 100 can easily use various communication methods such as modulation, encoding, encryption, or multiplexing.

  In the above communication system, the transmission device and the reception device are described as separate units. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and communication is performed using the transmission / reception device having the functions of both the transmission device and the reception device described above. A system may be constructed.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a communication system to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 33, the communication system 950 includes a transmission / reception device 961, a transmission / reception device 962, and a communication medium 130. The communication system 950 is a system in which the transmission / reception device 961 and the transmission / reception device 962 transmit and receive signals bidirectionally via the communication medium 130.

  The transmission / reception device 961 has both the configuration of the transmission unit 110 similar to the transmission device 110 in FIG. 1 and the reception unit 120 similar to the reception device 120. That is, the transmission / reception device 961 includes a transmission signal electrode 111, a transmission reference electrode 112, a transmission unit 113, a reception signal electrode 121, a reception reference electrode 122, and a reception unit 123.

  That is, the transmission / reception device 961 transmits a signal via the communication medium 130 using the transmission unit 110 and receives a signal supplied via the communication medium 130 using the reception unit 120. As described above, since the multiplex communication is possible in the communication method of the present invention, also in the transmission / reception device 961 in this case, the communication by the transmission unit 110 and the communication by the reception unit 120 are simultaneously performed (so as to overlap in time). ).

  The transmission / reception device 962 has the same configuration as that of the transmission / reception device 961 and operates in the same manner, and thus the description thereof is omitted. That is, the transmission / reception device 961 and the transmission / reception device 962 perform bidirectional communication via the communication medium 130 in the same manner.

  In this way, the communication system 950 (the transmission / reception device 961 and the transmission / reception device 962) can easily realize bidirectional communication that is not restricted by the usage environment.

  In the case of the transmission / reception device 961 and the transmission / reception device 962, the transmission signal electrode and the reception signal electrode are electrically connected to the communication medium as in the case of the transmission device and the reception device described with reference to FIG. Of course, the contact 741 or the contact 742 may be provided. In the above description, the transmission signal electrode 111, the transmission reference electrode 112, the reception signal electrode 121, and the reception reference electrode 122 are described as being separate from each other. The reception signal electrode 121 may be configured by one electrode, and the transmission reference electrode 112 and the reception reference electrode 122 are configured by one electrode (the transmission unit 113 and the reception unit 123 are signal electrodes or reference electrodes). May be shared).

  In the above description, each device (transmitting device, receiving device, and communication device) of the communication system to which the present invention is applied has been described so that the reference potential in each device is connected to the reference electrode. For example, it may be configured by a differential circuit that operates with two signals having different phases from each other. One signal of the differential circuit is connected to the signal electrode and transmitted into the communication medium, and the other of the differential circuit is transmitted. Information can also be transmitted by connecting the above signal to the reference electrode.

  Next, a communication system to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 as an equivalent circuit. In other words, the communication system 1000 represents elements related to the present invention of the communication system 100 with an equivalent circuit, and is substantially equivalent to the communication system 100.

  34 corresponds to the transmission device 110 of the communication system 100 of FIG. 1, the reception device 1002 of FIG. 34 corresponds to the reception device 120 of the communication system 100 of FIG. 1, and the communication of FIG. Medium 1003 corresponds to communication medium 130 of communication system 100 in FIG.

  A Vto 1051 of the transmission device 1001 indicates an AC power supply (signal source) that generates a signal, and corresponds to the transmission unit 113 of the transmission device 110 of FIG. Cte 1053 represents the capacitance between the transmission signal electrode 111 and the communication medium 130. Ctg 1054 indicates the capacitance with respect to the space (reference point 1055) of the transmission reference electrode 112. The reference point 1055 is, for example, an infinite point (virtual point) with reference to the transmission reference electrode 112.

  Rr 1061 and Amp 1062 of the receiving apparatus 1002 correspond to the receiving unit 123 of the receiving apparatus 120 in FIG. Rr 1061 is a resistance component for detecting a received signal, and both ends thereof are connected to an input terminal of an Amp 1062 as a detector for detecting the received signal. Cre 1063 represents the capacitance between the reception signal electrode 121 and the communication medium 130. Crg 1064 indicates the capacitance with respect to the space (reference point 1065) of the reception reference electrode 122. The reference point 1065 is, for example, an infinite point (virtual point) with the reception reference electrode 122 as a reference.

  Rm 1081 and Rm 1082 of the communication medium 1003 indicate the load (resistance component) of the communication medium 130 (human body) of FIG. 1, and correspond to Rm 431 and Rm 433 of FIG. Cm 1083 indicates the capacitance formed between the communication medium 130 and the space (reference point 1084), and corresponds to Cm 432 in FIG. The reference point 1084 is, for example, an infinite point (virtual point) with the communication medium 130 as a reference.

  As described above, the communication medium 1003 has a load (Rm 1081 and Rm 1082) and a capacitance (Cm 1083) with respect to the space.

  By the way, the communication system 1000 is a communication system that performs communication via a human body or the like, and the communication medium 1003 is mainly configured by a human body. Therefore, the values of the parameters (Rm 1081, Rm 1082, and Cm 1083) as the communication medium described above vary depending on individual differences (for example, weight, surface area, etc.) of the human body, such as adults and children.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of individual differences in communication media.

  In the case of the left side of FIG. 35, the transmission device 1001 and the reception device 1002 are attached to an adult 1003-1 and communicate with the adult 1003-1 as a communication medium 1003. On the other hand, in the case of the right side of FIG. 35, the transmission device 1001 and the reception device 1002 are attached to a child 1003-2 and communicate with the child 1003-2 as a communication medium 1003. As shown in FIG. 35, an adult 1003-1 and a child 1003-2 have different physiques (height, weight, surface area, etc.). Due to the difference in physique, for example, the capacitance Cm 1083 with respect to the space (reference point 1084) of the communication medium 1003 also differs. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, load Rm1081 and Rm1082 similarly differ with the physiques of the human body used as the communication medium 1003 (for example, whether it is an adult 1003-1 or a child 1003-2) etc.

  Therefore, the communication device of the present invention allows such information (human body information) related to the communication medium 1003, for example, information about the human body such as height and weight, to be input to a user (for example, a user serving as a communication medium). The values of the parameters (Rm 1081, Rm 1082, and Cm 1083) of the communication medium 1003 are estimated, and communication settings are performed based on the estimated values. More specifically, for example, in the communication system 1000 of FIG. 34, a user who becomes the communication medium 1003 estimates human body information such as his / her own height and weight, and the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium 1003. Information is input to the transmission device 1001 and the reception device 1002 as information for the communication medium, and the transmission device 1001 and the reception device 1002 have characteristics of the communication medium (human body) based on the communication medium information (human body information). (Load or capacitance) is specified, and communication setting is performed based on the estimated value.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example according to an embodiment of a communication system to which the present invention is applied.

  A communication system 1100 shown in FIG. 36 is a communication system in which a transmission device 1101 and a reception device 1102 communicate with each other via a communication medium 1103 (human body). As described above, a closed circuit is formed using a reference electrode. It is a communication system that does not need to be constructed and simply transmits and receives signals via signal electrodes, and easily performs stable communication processing without being affected by the environment. That is, the communication system 1100 is a communication system that performs communication by the same method as the communication system 100 of FIG.

  The transmission device 1101 includes a transmission unit 1111 that generates a transmission signal, a transmission signal electrode 1112 that is one electrode of an electrode pair that is provided to transmit a signal to be transmitted via the communication medium 1103, and the electrode pair This is a device that has a transmission reference electrode 1113 that is the other electrode, and that transmits a signal to the reception device 1102 via the communication medium 1103. In the electrode pair of the transmission device 1101, the one having stronger electrostatic coupling to the communication medium 1103 is the transmission signal electrode 1112, and the other is the transmission reference electrode 1113. The transmission unit 1111 is provided between the transmission signal electrode 1112 and the transmission reference electrode 1113, and gives an electric signal (potential difference) to be transmitted to the reception device 1102 between these electrodes.

  The transmission device 1101 further includes a communication medium information input receiving unit 1114, an input unit 1115, a display unit 1116, and a correspondence processing unit 1117.

  The communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 controls the input unit 1115 and the display unit 1116 to perform processing for receiving input of communication medium information that is information for estimating the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium 1103. . For example, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 causes the display unit 1116 to display a guidance screen for guiding input of human body information such as height and weight as communication medium information, and the user causes the input unit 1115 to display the guidance screen. The input communication medium information (human body information) is acquired, and the characteristics of the communication medium are estimated based on the acquired information. At this time, for example, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 holds in advance table information that associates communication medium information with values such as a load and a capacitance, and is input by referring to the table information. Estimate values such as load and capacitance corresponding to communication medium information. Then, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 performs communication setting from the estimated value and supplies the setting information to the corresponding processing unit 1117. Note that the method of estimating the characteristics of the communication medium by the communication medium information input unit 1114 may be other than this, and for example, a predetermined mathematical formula or past data may be used.

  The input unit 1115 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and receives input of communication medium information by a user, for example, and supplies the communication medium information to the communication medium information input reception unit 1114.

  The display unit 1116 is configured by a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example. For example, a guidance screen for guiding input of communication medium information supplied from the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114, a message regarding communication settings, and the like Is displayed.

  The correspondence processing unit 1117 is a processing unit that performs processing related to setting of transmission processing of the transmission unit 1111 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114, and includes a transmission level adjustment unit 1121 and a message display unit 1122. have.

  The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 controls the transmission unit 1111 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114 to adjust the transmission level (output strength). In addition, the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 supplies the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114 to the message display unit 1122. Based on the setting information supplied from the transmission level adjustment unit 1121, the message display unit 1122 displays a setting-related message that notifies the end of processing and the processing content, such as “setting has been completed”.

  The reception device 1102 includes a reception unit 1131 that detects a reception signal, a reception signal electrode 1132 that is one electrode of an electrode pair provided to receive a signal transmitted via the communication medium 1103, and the electrode pair. This is a device for receiving a signal transmitted from the transmission device 1101 via the communication medium 1103. In the electrode pair of the reception device 1102, the one having stronger electrostatic coupling to the communication medium 1103 is the reception signal electrode 1132, and the other is the reception reference electrode 1133. The reception unit 1131 is provided between the reception signal electrode 1132 and the reception reference electrode 1133, detects an electrical signal (potential difference) generated between these electrodes by a signal transmitted via the communication medium 1103, The electrical signal is converted into a desired electrical signal, and the electrical signal generated by the transmission unit 1111 of the transmission device 1101 is restored.

  Similarly to the transmission device 1101, the reception device 1102 further includes a communication medium information input reception unit 1134, an input unit 1135, a display unit 1136, and a correspondence processing unit 1137. The communication medium information input receiving unit 1134, the input unit 1135, and the display unit 1136 correspond to the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114, the input unit 1115, and the display unit 1116 of the transmission device 1101, respectively, and have the same configuration. Since the same processing is performed, the above description can be applied, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The correspondence processing unit 1171 is a processing unit that performs processing related to setting of reception processing of the reception unit 1131 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1134, and includes a reception gain adjustment unit 1141 and a message display unit 1142. have.

  The reception gain adjustment unit 1141 controls the reception unit 1131 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1134 and adjusts the reception gain (reception sensitivity strength). The reception gain adjusting unit 1141 supplies the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input receiving unit 1134 to the message display unit 1142. Based on the setting information supplied from the reception gain adjustment unit 1141, the message display unit 1142 displays a setting-related message that notifies the end of processing and the processing content, such as “setting has been completed”.

  The communication medium 1103 is, for example, a conductor typified by a metal such as copper, iron, or aluminum, a dielectric typified by pure water, rubber, glass, or the like, or a living body that is a composite thereof, or saline. Like electrolytes, etc., it is made of a material having both properties as a conductor and properties as a dielectric. In the following description, it is assumed that the communication medium 1103 is a user (human body) of the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102.

  That is, in the communication system 1100, communication medium information (for example, human body information such as height and weight) regarding the communication medium 1103 that is a human body is input to each of the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102, and the transmission level and the reception gain are related. Settings are made. That is, the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102 are independently configured to accept input of communication medium information and perform settings related to communication based on the communication medium information.

  By doing so, the transmission apparatus 1101 can set an appropriate transmission level according to the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium estimated from the input communication medium information, which is unnecessary. Output of a strong signal can be suppressed. Thereby, the transmission apparatus 1101 can suppress an increase in unnecessary power consumption. In addition, the transmission device 1101 can suppress injecting an unnecessary strong transmission signal (energy) into the human body as a communication medium by performing such control. In particular, when the user is a growing child, it is preferable not to inject unnecessary signal energy so as not to have an unnecessary influence on the human body (desired to transmit at an appropriate signal level).

  For example, when a user serving as a communication medium is a child, since the physique is usually smaller than that of an adult, the load or capacitance of the communication medium is smaller than that of an adult. That is, in this case, the transmission device 1101 can transmit a signal to the reception device 1102 sufficiently stably even if the transmission level is lower than that of an adult. Since the transmission device 1101 can control the transmission level to be lowered in such a case by controlling the transmission level based on the communication medium information, it is possible to suppress unnecessary energy release and unnecessary power consumption. Can be suppressed.

  Also, for example, conversely, when a user who is a communication medium is an adult whose physique is larger than the average level (for example, when the height exceeds 2 m or the weight is 100 kg or more), transmission to a normal adult The level may be too weak (a signal may not be stably transmitted to the receiving device 1102). Since the transmission device 1101 can control the transmission level to be increased in such a case by controlling the transmission level based on the communication medium information, it depends on the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium. Therefore, stable communication with the receiving apparatus 1102 can be performed.

  Similarly, the reception device 1102 can set an appropriate reception gain according to the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium estimated from the input communication medium information, and thus amplifies the reception signal unnecessarily. Can be suppressed. Thereby, the receiving apparatus 1102 can suppress an increase in unnecessary power consumption. In addition, since the receiving apparatus 1102 suppresses unnecessary amplification of the received signal by performing such control, the generation of distortion can be suppressed, and the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium can be suppressed. Regardless, stable communication can be performed.

  For example, when a user serving as a communication medium is a child, since the physique is usually smaller than that of an adult, the load or capacitance of the communication medium is smaller than that of an adult. That is, when the user who becomes the communication medium is a child, the signal transmitted from the transmission apparatus 1101 reaches the reception apparatus 1102 without lowering the signal level than when the user who becomes the communication medium is an adult. That is, if the other conditions are the same, the signal level of the signal received by the receiving apparatus 1102 can be greater when the user who is the communication medium is a child than when the user who is the communication medium is an adult. High nature.

  Since the receiving apparatus 1102 can be controlled to lower the reception gain in such a case, unnecessary signal amplification can be suppressed, an increase in unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed, and transmission from the transmitting apparatus 1101 can be performed. Can be received stably.

  Also, for example, conversely, when the user who becomes the communication medium is an adult whose physical constitution is larger than the average level (for example, when the height exceeds 2 m or the weight is 100 kg or more), the other conditions are the same. If so, there is a high possibility that the signal level of the signal received by the receiving apparatus 1102 is lower than that when the communication medium is a normal adult. Since the receiving apparatus 1102 can be controlled to increase the reception gain in such a case, the signal transmitted from the transmitting apparatus 1101 can be stabilized regardless of the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium. Can be received.

  As described above, the communication system 1100 performs communication control based on the communication medium information input by the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102 (according to the characteristics of the communication medium estimated from the input communication medium information). Therefore, stable communication can be performed regardless of the characteristics (load or capacitance) of the communication medium, an unnecessary increase in power consumption is suppressed, and unnecessary energy release is further suppressed. Can do. In the communication system 1100, each of the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102 accepts communication medium information input and performs transmission / reception settings independently. For example, a state where communication has not yet been established. Even so, communication control based on communication medium information becomes possible.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 37 to 40, a guidance screen displayed on the display unit 1116 by the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 and a guidance screen displayed on the display unit 1136 by the communication medium information input receiving unit 1134 will be described. To do. In the following, only the case of being displayed on the transmission device 1101 will be described, but the same applies to the case of being displayed on the reception device 1102.

  FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a guidance screen.

  In FIG. 37, a guidance screen 1151 is a screen for guiding the user to input the height and weight (human body information) of the user, which is the communication medium 1103, displayed on the display unit 1116 as the communication medium information. Accordingly, the guidance screen 1151 includes a message “Please enter your height and weight”, a GUI button for entering the digits of the height and weight, and the entered numeric values (height and weight). Is displayed. For example, on the guidance screen 1151 shown in FIG. 37 displayed on the display unit 1116, the user moves the cursor indicated by the black triangle to the numerical value input position in accordance with the displayed message, and inputs the numerical values of the height and weight digits. To do. When the user operates the enter button (GUI button), the height and weight values input so far are supplied from the input unit 1115 to the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 as communication medium information. The communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 estimates Rm 1081, Rm 1082, and Cm 1083 (that is, characteristics of the communication medium) based on the communication medium information (height and weight), and creates setting information related to transmission processing. The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 adjusts the transmission level based on the setting information.

  In this way, by allowing the user to input the user's height and weight (human body information) as communication medium information, the user can specify a specific value of the characteristics (load or capacitance) of the communication medium 1103 (user himself). The transmission level can be easily set without having to grasp.

  FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the guidance screen.

  In FIG. 38, a guidance screen 1152 is a screen for guiding the user to input the height and weight (human body information) of the user who will be the communication medium 1103 as the communication medium information displayed on the display unit 1116 in a selected format. Accordingly, the guidance screen 1152 includes a message “Please select your height and weight”, a GUI button for selecting and inputting the height, a GUI button for selecting and inputting the weight, and a determination button that is a GUI button for determining the selection. Is displayed.

  In the guidance screen 1152 of FIG. 38 displayed on the display unit 1116, for example, the user selects a corresponding range from the displayed height and weight list (list of ranges) according to the displayed message, Operate the OK button. Then, information indicating the height and weight range selected at that time is supplied from the input unit 1115 to the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 as communication medium information. The height and weight classification method shown in FIG. 38 is an example, and each range may be a range other than that shown in FIG. In addition, for example, a portion with a large influence is divided into fine ranges, and a portion with a small influence is divided into a large range. For example, the weight of each range (for example, the importance level or the selection frequency) is widened. The sizes may be different from each other.

  As will be described later, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 estimates Rm 1081, Rm 1082, and Cm 1083 (that is, the characteristics of the communication medium) based on the communication medium information (selection of height and weight), and makes settings related to transmission processing. Create information. The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 adjusts the transmission level based on the setting information.

  In this way, by allowing the user to input the user's height and weight (human body information) as communication medium information in a selection format, the user can more easily set the transmission level.

  FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram showing still another example of the guidance screen.

  In FIG. 39, a guidance screen 1153 is a screen for guiding the user to enter the sex and age (user information) of the user who will be the communication medium 1103 as the communication medium information displayed on the display unit 1116 in a selected format. That is, in this case, the user's physique (for example, height and weight (human body information)) is estimated from the input gender and age (user information), and the characteristics (load) of the communication medium 1103 (user himself) are further estimated from the human body information. Or capacitance).

  Therefore, the guidance screen 1153 includes a message “Please select your gender and age”, a GUI button for selecting and inputting gender, a GUI button for selecting and inputting age (age), and a GUI button for determining selection. A certain decision button is displayed.

  In the guidance screen 1153 of FIG. 39 displayed on the display unit 1116, for example, the user selects a corresponding one from the displayed gender and age (age) list according to the displayed message, and presses the enter button. To operate. Then, information (user information) indicating the sex and age (age) selected at that time is supplied from the input unit 1115 to the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 as communication medium information. The age classification method shown in FIG. 39 is an example, and the range of each age may be a range other than that shown in FIG. Moreover, the range of each age range may be different from each other.

  The communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 estimates Rm 1081, Rm 1082, and Cm 1083 (communication medium characteristics) based on the communication medium information (selection of gender and age), and creates setting information related to transmission processing. The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 adjusts the transmission level based on the setting information.

  As described above, by allowing the user to input the user's sex and age (user information) as communication medium information in a selection format, the user can more easily set the transmission level to the transmission apparatus 1101. In this case, the user can cause the transmission device 1101 to set the transmission level without knowing his / her height and weight (human body information). Note that in this case, a user who does not want other people to know his / her height and weight (user's body information) can cause the transmission device 1101 to set the transmission level with peace of mind.

  FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram showing still another example of the guidance screen.

  In FIG. 40, a guidance screen 1154 is a screen that guides the user to input a level (schematic information) that schematically represents the strength of the transmission level as communication medium information displayed on the display unit 1116 in a selected format. . This guidance screen 1154 displays a message “Please select the desired level”, a GUI button for selecting and inputting a schematic level, and a determination button which is a GUI button for determining the selection.

  That is, in this case, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 causes the user to input a schematic level (schematic information) instead of inputting information such as height, weight, age, or gender as personal information. For example, the user selects and sets the level to be changed as necessary based on the current or past communication status. The communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 performs transmission setting according to the selected level (schematic information). The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 adjusts the transmission level based on the setting information.

  In this way, the user can cause the transmission device 1101 to set the transmission level without inputting personal information.

  Note that the above description can also be applied to the receiving apparatus 1102. Further, the guidance screens displayed on the display unit 1116 and the display unit 1136 may have a configuration other than the above-described example, and information input by the user can also set transmission processing and reception processing. Any information other than those described above may be used as long as it is possible.

  Next, an example of the flow of control processing executed by the transmission device 1101 of FIG. 36 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the control process is started, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 of the transmission device 1101 sends a communication medium information input guidance message as shown in FIGS. 37 to 40, for example, to the display unit 1116 in step S1. Including the guidance screen.

  In step S2, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 controls the input unit 1115 to start receiving communication medium information input. For example, after a predetermined time has passed, whether or not the communication medium information has been input in step S3. Determine whether. If it is determined that the communication medium information has been input, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the processing to step S4, and based on the communication medium information input supplied from the input unit 1115, the characteristics (load and static) of the communication medium. (Capacity) is estimated, a parameter (for example, transmission level) related to transmission processing of the transmission unit 1111 is set, and the setting information is supplied to the corresponding processing unit 1117 (transmission level adjustment unit 1121). When the process of step S4 is completed, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the process to step S6.

  If it is determined in step S3 that no communication medium information has been input, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the process to step S5. In step S5, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 sets a parameter (for example, transmission level) relating to the transmission processing of the transmission unit 1111 to a predetermined default value. When the process of step S5 is completed, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the process to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 of the response processing unit 1117 determines whether or not to control the transmission level of the transmission unit 1111 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114. If it is determined to be controlled, the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 advances the process to step S7, controls the transmission unit 1111 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114, and transmits the transmission level of the transmission unit 1111. Adjust.

  The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 that has finished the process of step S7 supplies the setting information to the message display unit 1122, and advances the process to step S8. If it is determined in step S6 that the transmission level is not controlled, the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 omits the process in step S7, supplies the setting information to the message display unit 1122, and advances the process to step S8.

  In step S <b> 8, the message display unit 1122 of the response processing unit 1117 determines whether or not to display a message on the display unit 1116 based on the setting information supplied via the transmission level adjustment unit 1121. If it is determined to be displayed, the message display unit 1122 advances the process to step S9 and displays a message on the display unit 1116 based on the setting information supplied via the transmission level adjustment unit 1121.

  When the process of step S9 ends, the message display unit 1122 ends the control process. If it is determined in step S8 that no message is displayed, the message display unit 1122 omits the process in step S9 and ends the control process.

  By performing the control process as described above, the transmission apparatus 1101 can enable the user to easily perform communication settings suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium. In other words, the transmission device 1101 can set an appropriate transmission level according to the characteristics (load or capacitance) of the communication medium estimated from the communication medium information input by the user, and therefore increase unnecessary power consumption. Therefore, it is possible to stably communicate with the receiving apparatus 1102 regardless of the characteristics (load or capacitance) of the communication medium.

  Next, an example of the flow of control processing executed by the receiving apparatus 1102 in FIG. 36 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that the flow of control processing by the reception device 1102 is basically the same as the example of the flow of control processing by the transmission device 1101 described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, the processes in steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 42 correspond to the processes in steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 41, respectively, and each unit of the reception apparatus 1102 performs these processes in the same manner as in the transmission apparatus 1101 described above. I do.

  However, when the parameter setting is completed in step S24 or step S25, the communication medium information input reception unit 1134 supplies the setting information to the reception gain adjustment unit 1141 instead of the transmission level adjustment unit 1121, and performs processing. Proceed to step S26.

  In step S <b> 26, the reception gain adjustment unit 1141 of the response processing unit 1137 determines whether to control the reception gain of the reception unit 1131 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1134. If it is determined that control is to be performed, the reception gain adjustment unit 1141 advances the process to step S27, controls the reception unit 1131 based on the setting information supplied from the communication medium information input reception unit 1134, and receives the reception gain of the reception unit 1131. Adjust.

  The reception gain adjustment unit 1141 that has finished the process of step S27 supplies the setting information to the message display unit 1142, and advances the process to step S28. If it is determined in step S26 that the reception gain is not controlled, the reception gain adjustment unit 1141 omits the process of step S27, supplies the setting information to the message display unit 1142, and advances the process to step S28.

  The processing in step S28 and step S29 in FIG. 42 corresponds to the processing in step S8 and step S9 in FIG. 41, and the message display unit 1142 of the receiving apparatus 1102 performs these processes as in the case of the transmitting apparatus 1101 described above. Do. When the process of step S28 or step S29 ends, the message display unit 1142 ends the control process.

  By performing the control process as described above, the receiving apparatus 1102 can enable the user to easily perform communication settings suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium, like the transmitting apparatus 1101. In other words, the receiving apparatus 1102 can set an appropriate reception gain according to the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium estimated from the communication medium information input by the user, and thus amplifies the received signal unnecessarily. Can suppress the increase in unnecessary power consumption, and can stably receive a signal transmitted from the transmission device 1101 regardless of the load of the communication medium and the capacitance (transmission load). can do.

  In the above description, each of the transmission device 1101 and the reception device 1102 has been described as accepting and setting communication medium information independently of each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission device accepts communication medium information. The communication medium information may be supplied to the receiving device.

  FIG. 43 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system to which the present invention is applied.

  A communication system 1200 shown in FIG. 43 is a communication system in which a transmission device 1201 and a reception device 1202 communicate with each other via a communication medium 1203 (human body), and a closed circuit is formed using a reference electrode as described above. It is a communication system that does not need to be constructed and simply transmits and receives signals via signal electrodes, and easily performs stable communication processing without being affected by the environment. That is, the communication system 1200 is a communication system that performs communication by the same method as the communication system 100 of FIG. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the communication system 1100 in FIG.

  The transmission device 1201 further includes a communication medium information supply unit 1221 in addition to the configuration of the transmission device 1101 of FIG. The communication medium information supply unit 1221 is supplied with communication medium information of the same communication medium 1203 as the communication medium 1103 from the communication medium information input reception unit 1114 via the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 and the message display unit 1122. . That is, the communication medium information input reception unit 1114 supplies communication medium information to the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 in addition to the setting information, and the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 displays the communication medium information together with the setting information in the message display unit 1122. The message display unit 1122 supplies the communication medium information to the communication medium information supply unit 1221.

  The communication medium information supply unit 1221 controls the transmission unit 1111 and supplies the communication medium information supplied in this way to the reception device 1202 via the communication medium 1203 as indicated by an arrow 1231.

  In this way, the transmission device 1201 not only accepts communication medium information input (for example, input of human body information such as height and weight) and sets transmission processing based on the communication medium information. The received communication medium information can be supplied to the receiving device 1203.

  The reception device 1202 includes a communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 instead of the communication medium information input reception unit 1134 and the input unit 1135 in the configuration of the reception device 1102 in FIG. The communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 controls the reception unit 1131 to acquire communication medium information supplied from the transmission device 1201 via the communication medium 1203. The communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 that acquired the communication medium information performs settings related to reception processing from the acquired communication medium information, and supplies the setting information to the reception gain adjustment unit 1141. Reception gain adjustment section 1141 and message display section 1142 perform processing based on the setting information.

  By doing in this way, the receiving apparatus 1202 can acquire the communication medium information supplied from the transmitting apparatus 1201 instead of accepting the communication medium information input, and set the reception process based on the communication medium information. it can.

  Note that the communication medium 1203 is the same communication medium as the communication medium 1103, and here is configured by a user (human body) of the transmission device 1201 and the reception device 1203.

  That is, in the case of this communication system 1200, the user can easily set not only the transmission device 1201 but also the reception device 1202 simply by inputting communication medium information to the transmission device 1201. That is, the communication system 1200 not only can obtain the same effects as the communication system 1100, but also facilitates the setting work performed by the user as compared with the communication system 1100.

  Next, an example of the flow of control processing executed by the transmission device 1201 of FIG. 43 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in this case, each process is basically executed in the same manner as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, step S41 to step S49 in FIG. 44 correspond to step S1 to step S9 in FIG. 41, and the transmission apparatus 1201 performs each processing of step S41 to step S49, and the transmission apparatus 1101 performs steps S1 to S49. This is executed in the same manner as when each process of step S9 is executed. Therefore, description of each of these processes is omitted because the description described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 41 can be applied.

  When the process of step S49 ends, or when it is determined in step S48 that the message is not displayed, the message display unit 1122 receives the communication medium supplied from the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 via the transmission level adjusting unit 1121. The information is supplied to the communication medium information supply unit 1221 and the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the communication medium information supply unit 1221 supplied with the communication medium information controls the transmission unit 1111 and supplies the communication medium information to the reception device 1202 via the communication medium 1203. When the supply of the communication medium is completed, the communication medium information supply unit 1221 ends the control process.

  By performing the control process as described above, the transmission apparatus 1201 can allow the user to more easily perform communication settings suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium. That is, similarly to the transmission device 1101, the transmission device 1201 can suppress an increase in unnecessary power consumption, and can stably communicate with the reception device 1202 regardless of the characteristics (load or capacitance) of the communication medium. In addition, the input communication medium information is supplied to the receiving apparatus 1202, and the receiving apparatus 1202 receives the communication medium characteristics (load) estimated from the communication medium information input to the transmitting apparatus 1201 by the user. And an appropriate transmission level can be set according to the electrostatic capacity. That is, the transmission apparatus 1201 can also suppress an increase in unnecessary power consumption of the reception apparatus 1202.

  Next, an example of the flow of control processing executed by the receiving device 1202 of FIG. 43 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the control process is started, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 of the reception device 1201 controls the reception unit 1131 in step S71 and starts accepting communication medium information transmitted from the transmission device 1201.

  In step S72, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 controls the reception unit 1131 to determine whether communication medium information has been acquired. If it is determined that the communication medium information has been acquired, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 advances the process to step S73, and sets parameters (for example, reception gain) regarding the reception processing of the reception unit 1131 based on the acquired communication medium information. And the setting information is supplied to the correspondence processing unit 1137 (reception gain adjustment unit 1141). When the process of step S73 ends, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 advances the process to step S75.

  If it is determined in step S72 that the communication medium information has not been acquired, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 advances the process to step S74. In step S74, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 sets a parameter (for example, reception gain) related to the reception process of the reception unit 1131 to a predetermined default value. When the process of step S74 ends, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 supplies the setting information to the corresponding processing unit 1137 (reception gain adjustment unit 1141), and the process proceeds to step S75.

  Each process of step S75 thru | or step S78 respond | corresponds to each process of step S26 thru | or step S29 of the control process performed by the receiver 1102 mentioned above with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In other words, the receiving device 1202 executes the processes in steps S75 to S78 in the same manner as when the receiving device 1102 executes the processes in steps S26 to S29. Therefore, description of each process of step S75 thru | or step S78 is abbreviate | omitted.

  By performing the control process as described above, the reception device 1202 can perform communication settings more suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium only by the user inputting communication medium information on the transmission device 1201 side. be able to. In other words, the reception device 1202 can set an appropriate reception gain according to the characteristics (load and capacitance) of the communication medium without direct input from the user. As a result, similarly to the case of the reception device 1102, the reception device 1202 can suppress unnecessarily amplifying the reception signal, suppress an increase in unnecessary power consumption, and further improve the characteristics (load) of the communication medium. The signal transmitted from the transmission device 1201 can be stably received regardless of the capacitance.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to a communication system including a transmission device and a reception device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and, for example, signals can be transmitted and received bidirectionally. The present invention can also be applied to a communication system including a plurality of communication devices.

  FIG. 46 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system to which the present invention is applied.

  A communication system 1300 shown in FIG. 46 is a communication system in which the communication device 1301 and the communication device 1302 communicate bidirectionally via the communication medium 1303 (human body), and it is necessary to construct a closed circuit using the reference electrode. Rather, it is a communication system that easily performs stable communication processing without being influenced by the environment, only by transmitting and receiving signals via the signal electrodes. That is, the communication system 1300 is a communication system that performs communication by the same method as the communication system 100 of FIG. 46, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the communication system 1100 in FIG. 36 and the communication system 1200 in FIG.

  The communication device 1301 includes a transmission unit 1111 and a reception unit 1131. That is, the communication device 1301 has both the configuration of the transmission device 1201 and the reception device 1202. However, the communication device 1301 has only one configuration common to the transmission device 1201 and the reception device 1202.

  That is, the transmitter 1111 and the receiver 1131 are connected to the common signal electrode 1311 and the common reference electrode 1312. The signal electrode 1311 corresponds to both the transmission signal electrode 1112 of the transmission device 1201 and the reception signal electrode 1132 of the reception device 1202, and the reference electrode 1312 is the transmission reference electrode 1113 of the transmission device 1201 and the reception reference of the reception device 1202. It corresponds to both of the electrodes 1133.

  In addition, the communication device 1301 includes an input unit 1115, a display unit 1116, a communication medium information input reception unit 1114, and communication medium information 1234 one by one. Further, the communication device 1301 has a correspondence processing unit 1317.

  The response processing unit 1317 is a combination of the configuration of the response processing unit 1217 of the transmission device 1201 and the configuration of the response processing unit 1137 of the reception device 1202, and includes a transmission level adjustment unit 1121, a reception gain adjustment unit 1141, and a message display unit. 1122 and one communication medium information supply unit 1221 are provided.

  That is, the communication device 1301 has the functions of both the transmission device 1201 and the reception device 1202, accepts communication medium information input, estimates the characteristics of the communication medium based on the communication medium information, and performs transmission processing and reception. Processing can be set, a message can be displayed, and the communication medium information can be supplied to another communication device 1302 via the communication medium 1303 as indicated by an arrow 1331. Further, as indicated by an arrow 1331, the communication device 1301 can receive and acquire communication medium information supplied from another communication device 1302 via the communication medium 1303, and the acquired communication medium Based on the information, the characteristics of the communication medium can be estimated, transmission processing and reception processing can be set, and a message can be displayed.

  Note that the configuration of the communication device 1302 is the same as that of the communication device 1301, and therefore the description thereof is omitted. The communication medium 1303 is a communication medium similar to the communication medium 1203, and is configured by the communication device 1301 and the user (human body) of the communication device 1303 here.

  That is, in the communication system 1300, the user inputs communication medium information to any one of the communication apparatuses, so that all communication apparatuses constituting the communication system 1300 (in the case of the example in FIG. 46, communication is performed). Both the transmission processing setting and the reception processing setting of both the device 1301 and the communication device 1302 can be performed. That is, in the case of the communication system 1300, the user can more easily perform communication settings suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium for each communication device. That is, the communication system 1300 can not only obtain the same effect as the communication system 1200, but also the setting work performed by the user is further facilitated as compared with the communication system 1200.

  Next, an example of the flow of control processing executed by the communication device 1301 of the communication system 1300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 47 and 48. This control process basically includes a combination of each process of the control process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 44 and each process of the control process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, when the control process is started, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 of the communication device 1301 determines whether or not to accept communication medium information input in step S91 of FIG. The process proceeds to step S92, and the processes in steps S92 to S96 are executed in the same manner as the processes in steps S41 to S45 in FIG.

  When the process of step S95 is terminated, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the process to step S111 of FIG. In addition, when the process of step S96 is completed, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 advances the process to step S97 so that the communication medium information supplied from the communication partner is given priority over the default value. In addition, the communication medium information input receiving unit 1114 also performs a process for performing the corresponding process using the communication medium information supplied from the communication partner even when it is determined in step S91 that the communication medium information input is not received. The process proceeds to S97.

  In step S97, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 determines whether or not to accept supply of communication medium information from another communication device 1302. If it is determined that the communication medium information supply is accepted, the process proceeds to step S98, and steps S98 to S98 are performed. Each process of S101 is performed similarly to each process of step S71 thru | or step S74 of FIG.

  When the process of step S100 or step S101 ends, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 advances the process to step S111 of FIG. If it is determined in step S97 that the supply of communication medium information is not accepted, the communication medium information acquisition unit 1234 omits steps S98 to S101 and proceeds to step S111 in FIG.

  The transmission level adjustment unit 1121 of the response processing unit 1317 executes the processing of step S111 and step S112 in FIG. 48 in the same manner as in step S46 and step S47 of FIG. Then, the transmission level adjustment unit 1121 that has finished the process of step S111 or step S112 advances the process to step S113.

  The reception gain adjustment unit 1141 of the response processing unit 1317 executes the processing of step S113 and step S114 in the same manner as in step S75 and step S76 of FIG. Then, the reception gain adjustment unit 1141 that has finished the process of step S113 or step S114 advances the process to step S115.

  The message display unit 1122 of the response processing unit 1317 executes the processes of steps S115 and S116 in the same manner as in steps S48 and S49 of FIG. Then, the message display unit 1122 that has finished the process of step S115 or step S116 advances the process to step S117.

  In step S117, the communication medium information supply unit 1221 determines whether or not to supply the communication medium information to another communication apparatus 1302. If it is determined to supply the communication medium information, the process proceeds to step S118, and the transmission unit 1111 is controlled. The communication medium information is supplied to another communication device 1302.

  When the process of step S118 ends, the communication medium information supply unit 1221 ends the control process. If it is determined in step S117 that the communication medium information is not supplied to another communication device 1302, the communication medium information supply unit 1221 omits the process in step S118 and ends the control process.

  By performing the control processing as described above, the communication device 1301 performs transmission processing more suitable for the characteristics of the communication medium based on the communication medium information input to either the communication device 1301 or the communication device 1302 by the user. Both setting and setting of reception processing can be performed.

  Note that the communication device 1302 performs control processing in the same manner as the communication device 1301, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The configuration of each communication system may of course be a configuration other than those described above, and the number of transmission devices, reception devices, and communication devices may be any number. The communication medium may be other than the human body. Further, the information input as the communication medium information may be information other than those described above as long as the characteristics of the communication medium can be estimated.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. In this case, for example, each device described above may be configured as a personal computer as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 49, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1401 of the personal computer 1400 performs various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1402 or a program loaded from a storage unit 1413 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1403. Execute the process. The RAM 1403 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 1401 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 1401, ROM 1402, and RAM 1403 are connected to each other via a bus 1404. An input / output interface 1410 is also connected to the bus 1404.

  The input / output interface 1410 includes an input unit 1411 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an output unit 1412 including a speaker, and a hard disk. A communication unit 1414 including a storage unit 1413 and a modem is connected. The communication unit 1414 performs communication processing via a network including the Internet.

  A drive 1415 is connected to the input / output interface 1410 as necessary, and a removable medium 1421 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is It is installed in the storage unit 1413 as necessary.

  When the above-described series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 49, this recording medium is distributed in order to distribute the program to the user separately from the apparatus main body, and includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk ( Removable media 1421 made of CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk) (registered trademark)), or semiconductor memory In addition to being configured, it is configured by a ROM 1402 in which a program is recorded and a hard disk included in the storage unit 1413 that are distributed to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices (apparatuses). In the above description, the configuration described as one device may be divided and configured as a plurality of devices. Conversely, the configurations described above as a plurality of devices may be combined into a single device. Of course, configurations other than those described above may be added to the configuration of each device. Furthermore, if the configuration and operation of the entire system are substantially the same, a part of the configuration of a certain device may be included in the configuration of another device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example which concerns on one Embodiment of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of the equivalent circuit of the communication system of FIG. 1 in an ideal state. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation result of an effective value of a voltage generated at both ends of a reception load resistor in the model of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the model of the physical structure of the communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the model of each parameter which generate | occur | produces in the model of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of distribution of the electric line of force with respect to an electrode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of distribution of the electric line of force with respect to an electrode. It is a figure explaining the other example of the model of the electrode in a transmitter. It is a figure which shows the example of the equivalent circuit of the model of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the frequency characteristic of the communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the signal received in the receiver. It is a figure which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning place of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the other example of the arrangement | positioning place of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning location of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning location of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning location of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning location of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning location of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of an electrode. It is a figure which shows the other example of the equivalent circuit of the model of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the actual usage example which concerns on one Embodiment of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the other usage example which concerns on one Embodiment of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of distribution of a frequency spectrum. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of distribution of a frequency spectrum. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of the time distribution of a signal. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a communication process. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of the equivalent circuit of the communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the individual difference of a communication medium. It is a figure which shows the structural example which concerns on one Embodiment of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a guidance screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of a guidance screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the further another example of a guidance screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the further another example of a guidance screen. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of control processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of the flow of control processing. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of the flow of control processing. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of the flow of control processing. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of the flow of control processing. FIG. 48 is a flowchart following FIG. 47 for explaining yet another example of the flow of control processing. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the personal computer to which this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  1000 communication system, 1001 transmission device, 1002 reception device, 1003 communication medium, 1081 and 1082 Rm, 1083 Cm, 1100 communication system, 1101 transmission device, 1102 reception device, 1103 communication medium, 1114 communication medium information input reception unit, 1115 input Unit, 1116 display unit, 1117 correspondence processing unit, 1121 transmission level adjustment unit, 1122 message display unit, 1134 communication medium information input reception unit, 1135 input unit, 1136 display unit, 1137 correspondence processing unit, 1141 reception gain adjustment unit, 1142 Message display unit, 1151 to 1154 guidance screen, 1200 communication system, 1201 transmission device, 1202 reception device, 1203 communication medium, 1217 corresponding processing unit, 12 1 communication medium data supply unit, 1234 communication medium information acquiring unit, 1300 a communication system, 1301 and 1302 communication devices 1303 communication medium 1317 corresponding processor

Claims (20)

A communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device that communicate via a communication medium,
The first communication device is:
First communication medium information input receiving means for receiving input of first communication medium information which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium;
First supply means for supplying the second communication device with the first communication medium information whose input is received by the first communication medium information input receiving means;
First acquisition means for acquiring second communication medium information, which is information for estimating characteristics of the communication medium supplied from the second communication device;
Based on either the first communication medium information received by the first communication medium information input receiving means or the second communication medium information acquired by the first acquiring means, First setting means for performing settings related to communication,
The second communication device is:
Second communication medium information input receiving means for receiving input of the second communication medium information;
First supply means for supplying the second communication medium information whose input has been received by the second communication medium information input reception means to the first communication device;
Second acquisition means for acquiring first communication medium information supplied from the first communication device;
Based on either the second communication medium information received by the second communication medium information input receiving means or the first communication medium information acquired by the second acquisition means, A communication system comprising: second setting means for performing settings related to communication. A communication device that communicates with another communication device via a communication medium,
Communication medium information input receiving means for receiving input of communication medium information which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium;
A communication apparatus comprising: setting means for performing settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information whose input is received by the communication medium information input receiving means. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising guidance display means for displaying a guidance screen for guiding input of the communication medium information. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit adjusts at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication as the setting related to the communication. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a communication medium information supply unit that supplies the communication medium information whose input is received by the communication medium information input reception unit to the other communication apparatus. A communication medium information acquisition means for acquiring the communication medium information supplied from the other communication device;
The setting unit performs setting related to the communication based on the communication medium information received by the communication medium information input receiving unit or the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquiring unit. 2. The communication device according to 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication medium is a human body. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the communication medium information is human body information related to the human body. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication medium information is user information related to a user having the human body. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication medium information is schematic information that schematically represents a setting value set by the setting unit. A communication method for a communication device that communicates with another communication device via a communication medium,
Receiving input of communication medium information which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium;
A communication method including a step of performing settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information for which an input has been accepted. A program that causes a computer to perform processing for communicating with another communication device via a communication medium,
Receiving input of communication medium information which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium;
A program including a step of performing settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information for which an input has been accepted. A communication device that communicates with another communication device via a communication medium,
Communication medium information acquisition means for acquiring communication medium information, which is information for estimating characteristics of the communication medium, supplied from the other communication device;
A communication device comprising: setting means for performing settings related to the communication based on the communication medium information acquired by the communication medium information acquisition means. The communication device according to claim 13, wherein the setting unit adjusts at least one of a transmission level and a reception gain in the communication as the setting related to the communication. The communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the communication medium is a human body. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the communication medium information is human body information related to the human body. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the communication medium information is user information related to a user having the human body. The communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the communication medium information is schematic information that schematically represents a setting value set by the setting unit. A communication method for a communication device that communicates with another communication device via a communication medium,
Obtaining communication medium information, which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium, supplied from the other communication device;
A communication method including a step of performing settings related to the communication based on the acquired communication medium information. A program that causes a computer to perform processing for communicating with another communication device via a communication medium,
Obtaining communication medium information, which is information for estimating the characteristics of the communication medium, supplied from the other communication device;
A program including a step of performing settings related to the communication based on the acquired communication medium information

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