JP2007325339A - Communication system, communication device, transmission system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the reception of power supplied in noncontact or the data transmission by radio communication or both of the reception of power supplied in noncontact and the data transfer by radio communication severally, according to the other side of communication. <P>SOLUTION: A portable device 12 is equipped with a receiver 42 which receives the power supplied in noncontact by electromagnetic waves and a communication part 46 which performs data transfer by radio communication. Then, the portable device 12 judges the device to serve as the other side of communication, based on the information superposed on the electromagnetic waves to supply the receiver 42 with power or the information received by radio communication by the communication part 46. For example, it is applicable to a portable music player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication apparatus, a communication method, and a program, and in particular, reception of power supplied in a contactless manner, data transfer by wireless communication, or reception of power supplied in a contactless manner and wireless communication. The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication apparatus, a communication method, and a program that can perform both data transfer according to a communication partner.

  Conventionally, for example, portable devices such as portable music players (for example, iPod (registered trademark) and walkman (registered trademark)) with a built-in storage device such as a hard disk drive and a flash memory have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The personal computer can be connected via the USB cable, and contents such as images and music can be transferred or charged from the personal computer via the USB cable.

  Further, for example, when a cradle (charging stand) that is connected to the portable device by an electrical contact when the portable device is placed is prepared, the user connects the cradle to a personal computer, and By placing the mobile device on the cradle, the content can be transferred to the mobile device or the mobile device can be charged via the cradle.

  As described above, in order to transfer content to a mobile device or charge the mobile device, it is necessary to connect the cable to the mobile device or place the mobile device on the cradle.

  On the other hand, for example, without placing the mobile device on the cradle and connecting the cradle and the mobile device by electrical contact, the cradle and the mobile device are brought close to each other, and power is not contacted from the cradle to the mobile device. There is also technology to supply in.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for supplying power from a cradle to a portable device in a contactless manner and supplying power from the portable device to another portable device in a contactless manner.

  Moreover, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, portable devices communicate with each other via a coil used for power supply, and exchange control information used for power supply control. Electric power is supplied based on this control information. However, the control information exchanged between portable devices has a smaller amount of data compared to content such as images and music, and transfers content with a large amount of data via a coil used for power supply. It is difficult. Also, with this technology, portable devices communicate with each other with power supply, so it is difficult for portable devices to communicate with each other without power supply.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that a cradle and a portable device exchange control information for controlling power supply via an antenna for wireless communication different from a coil used for power supply. A technique for supplying power to a portable device in a contactless manner is described.

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is not assumed that content such as a large amount of data is transferred between portable devices, and the purpose is to supply power.
JP-A-2005-143181 Japanese Patent No. 3344593

  As described above, a technology for supplying power by bringing a cradle and a mobile device close to each other or by bringing mobile devices close to each other is disclosed, but a technology for performing both power supply and content transfer is disclosed. Was not.

  In addition, for example, when the mobile device and the cradle are brought close to each other, both power supply and content transfer are performed, and when the mobile device is brought close to each other, only the content transfer is performed. Therefore, there has been a demand for providing a technique for switching between power supply and content transfer.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and receives power supplied by non-contact, data transfer by wireless communication, or receives power supplied by non-contact and data transfer by wireless communication. Both can be performed according to the communication partner.

  A communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves, performing data transfer by wireless communication, supplying power by electromagnetic waves, and wireless communication. A communication system comprising another communication device capable of at least one of performing data transfer, wherein the communication device is configured to receive power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves, and wireless communication. Based on information superimposed on an electromagnetic wave supplying power to the power receiving means and information superimposed on the electromagnetic wave supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means, the other communication device The first device that can only supply power by the second device, the second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or the power by electromagnetic waves Determining means for determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying and performing data transfer by wireless communication, and the other communication device is configured to be a first device by the determining device. When it is determined that the first device is the first device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by the electromagnetic wave from the other communication device, and the second communication device receives the power supplied from the other communication device. If the wireless communication unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the wireless communication unit performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device, and the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device. When the power is received, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication means transmits the content by wireless communication with the other communication device. And performs data transfer.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes a power receiving unit that receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves, and a wireless communication unit that performs data transfer by wireless communication. In the communication device, another communication device supplies power by electromagnetic waves based on information superimposed on the electromagnetic waves that supply power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means. A first device capable of only data transfer, a second device capable of only transferring data by wireless communication, or both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication It is determined which of the third devices. And when it determines with another communication apparatus being a 1st apparatus, a power receiving means receives the electric power supplied by non-contact by the electromagnetic waves from another communication apparatus. On the other hand, when it is determined that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device. On the other hand, when it is determined that the other communication device is the third device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit receives the other communication. Data transfer of content is performed by wireless communication with the device.

  A communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication, and receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves. An electromagnetic wave based on power reception means, wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication, information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power reception means, or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first communication device capable of supplying power only by electromagnetic waves, by another communication device capable of at least one of supplying power by wireless communication and performing data transfer by wireless communication, by wireless communication Second device that can only perform data transfer, or both power supply by electromagnetic waves and data transfer by wireless communication are possible Determining means for determining which of the third devices is, and when the determining device determines that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means The wireless communication unit receives the power supplied in a non-contact manner by the electromagnetic wave from the communication device, and the wireless communication unit determines that the other communication device is the second device when the determination unit determines that the other communication device is the second device. When content data is transferred by wireless communication with a device, and the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the power receiving unit is connected to the electromagnetic wave from the other communication device. The wireless communication unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner, and performs data transfer of content through wireless communication with the other communication device.

  A communication method or program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a communication apparatus comprising: a power receiving unit that receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves; and a wireless communication unit that performs data transfer by wireless communication. Alternatively, a program to be executed by a computer built in a communication device having a power receiving means for receiving power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves and a wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication, wherein the power is supplied to the power receiving means. At least one of supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves to be supplied or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means The first device that can only supply power via electromagnetic waves, other communication devices capable of data transfer, data transfer by wireless communication Determining which is a second device that can only be performed or a third device that can both supply power by electromagnetic waves and perform data transfer by wireless communication And when the other communication device is determined to be the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the other communication device Is determined to be the second device, the wireless communication means transfers content data by wireless communication with the other communication device, and the other communication device is determined to be the third device. In this case, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit receives content by wireless communication with the other communication device. Performing a data transfer.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, the communication device includes a power receiving unit that receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves and a wireless communication unit that performs data transfer by wireless communication. Then, based on information superimposed on the electromagnetic wave that supplies power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means, power is supplied by the electromagnetic wave, and data transfer is performed by wireless communication. A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or It is determined which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication. When it is determined that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device. On the other hand, when it is determined that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device. On the other hand, when it is determined that the other communication device is the third device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit receives the other communication. Data transfer of content is performed by wireless communication with the device.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, reception of power supplied in a contactless manner, data transfer by wireless communication, or both reception of power supplied in a contactless manner and data transfer by wireless communication Can be performed according to the communication partner.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

The communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
At least one of a communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves, performing data transfer by wireless communication, supplying power by electromagnetic waves, and performing data transfer by wireless communication is In a communication system comprising other possible communication devices,
The communication device (for example, the portable device 12 in FIG. 1)
Power receiving means (for example, the power receiving unit 42 in FIG. 1) for receiving electric power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves;
Wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication (for example, the communication unit 46 in FIG. 1);
Based on the information superimposed on the electromagnetic wave that supplies power to the power receiving means or the information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means, the other communication device can only supply power by the electromagnetic wave. A first device (for example, cradle 61 in FIG. 3), a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication (for example, portable device 12A in FIG. 2), or power is supplied by electromagnetic waves Determining means (for example, step of FIG. 5) that determines which one of the third devices (for example, the communication device 11 of FIG. 1) capable of both performing data transfer and performing data transfer by wireless communication 1 for executing the process of S15, and
When the determination means determines that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device,
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the power reception unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless The communication means performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device.

The communication device of the second aspect of the present invention is
A communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication,
Power receiving means (for example, the power receiving unit 42 in FIG. 1) for receiving electric power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves;
Wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication (for example, the communication unit 46 in FIG. 1);
Supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or Determining means for determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication (for example, executing the process of step S15 in FIG. 5) And the control unit 51) of FIG.
When the determination means determines that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device,
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the power reception unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless The communication means performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention is
A battery (for example, a rechargeable battery 44 in FIG. 1) that supplies power necessary for the operation of the communication device;
Data size acquisition means (for example, the control unit 51 in FIG. 1 that executes the process of step S31 in FIG. 7) for acquiring the data size of the content that is transferred by wireless communication with the second device;
Data transfer determination means for determining whether or not there is a remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of the content of the data size acquired by the data size acquisition means as the remaining capacity of the battery (for example, the process of step S33 in FIG. 7) And the control unit 51) of FIG.
Only when the data transfer determining means determines that the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content remains, the wireless communication means performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device. be able to.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention provides warning means (for example, FIG. 5) for giving a warning when the data transfer determining means determines that there is no remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content. 1 output unit 49)
Can be further provided.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention is
When the other communication device is the first or third device, full charge determination means for determining whether or not the battery is fully charged (for example, a diagram for executing the process of step S22 in FIG. 6) 1 control unit 51),
When the full charge determination means determines that the battery is not fully charged, request means for requesting the other device to charge (for example, the control of FIG. Part 51) and
The power receiving means can charge the battery by receiving electric power supplied in a non-contact manner by an electromagnetic wave output from the other device in response to the request for charging.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention is
Notification means for notifying the user that the power receiving means is receiving power or the wireless communication means is transferring data (for example, the output unit 49 in FIG. 1)
Can be further provided.

The communication method or program according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
A communication method of a communication device comprising power receiving means for receiving non-contact power supplied by electromagnetic waves and wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication, or power receiving means for receiving power supplied non-contact by electromagnetic waves A program to be executed by a computer built in a communication device having a wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication,
Supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or A step of determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication (for example, step S15 in FIG. 5),
If it is determined that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
If it is determined that the other communication device is a second device, the wireless communication means performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device;
When it is determined that the other communication device is a third device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit Data transfer of content is performed by wireless communication with other communication devices.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram of a communication system to which the present invention is applied (a system refers to a logical combination of a plurality of devices, regardless of whether the devices of each configuration are in the same housing). It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the communication system includes, for example, a communication device 11 in which a personal computer and a cradle are combined, and a portable device 12 such as a portable music player, a cellular phone, and a digital camera.

  The communication device 11 includes, for example, a plug 21, a power rectification unit 22, a power transmission unit 23, a coil 24, a content storage unit 25, a communication unit 26, a communication antenna 27, an operation unit 28, an output unit 29, a control information storage unit 30, and The control unit 31 is configured.

  For example, the plug 21 is connected to an outlet (not shown) of an AC power supply that supplies power, and supplies power supplied from the AC power supply to the power supply rectification unit 22.

  The power rectifier 22 rectifies the power supplied from the plug 21 and supplies it to the power transmitter 23. Further, the power rectification unit 22 supplies power to each unit constituting the communication device 11 other than the power transmission unit 23. However, in FIG. 1, illustration of lines indicating that the power supply rectification unit 22 supplies power to each unit other than the power transmission unit 23 is omitted.

  Based on the control of the control unit 31, the power transmission unit 23 supplies power supplied from the power rectification unit 22 to the coil 24, outputs electromagnetic waves from the coil 24, and supplies power to the portable device 12. In addition, the power transmission unit 23 superimposes predetermined information (signal) on the electromagnetic wave output from the coil 24 based on the control of the control unit 31, that is, the electromagnetic wave is used as a carrier and the predetermined information is used as the carrier. Then, predetermined information is transmitted to the portable device 12.

  Here, the power transmission unit 23 outputs an electromagnetic wave for supplying power to the portable device 12 in a non-contact manner and an electromagnetic wave for transmitting predetermined information to the portable device 12 from the coil 24 with the same power. However, it is also possible to output from the coil 24 with different powers. That is, the power transmission unit 23 uses an electromagnetic wave for transmitting predetermined information to the portable device 12 with a smaller power than an electromagnetic wave for supplying power to the portable device 12 in a non-contact manner. The power can be output from the coil 24 with a relatively small power that can be detected by the twelve power receiving units 42.

  In addition, the power transmission unit 23 receives information transmitted by being superimposed on the electromagnetic wave output from the power reception unit 42 of the portable device 12 and supplies the information to the control unit 31 as described later.

  The coil 24 outputs an electromagnetic wave by the electric power supplied from the power transmission unit 23, and supplies the electric power to the portable device 12 (coil 41 described later) in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic induction, and also has a predetermined superimposed on the electromagnetic wave. Information is transmitted to the portable device 12.

  The content storage unit 25 stores content including images, sounds, texts, and the like. The content storage unit 25 also stores content related information that is information related to the content stored in the content storage unit 25. The content related information includes, for example, information such as content data size and file name.

  The communication unit 26 is a communication method defined by, for example, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), BlueTooth (registered trademark), or the like, and is based on the control of the control unit 31, for example, the portable device 12 (the communication unit 46 described later). ) And wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 26 reads the content stored in the content storage unit 25 based on the control of the control unit 31 and transmits the content to the portable device 12 wirelessly. Further, the communication unit 26 receives information transmitted from the portable device 12 through communication with the portable device 12 and supplies the information to the control unit 31.

  The communication antenna 27 is an antenna used in wireless communication with the portable device 12.

  The operation unit 28 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. For example, the operation unit 28 is operated by the user when power supply is started or content transmission is started, and an operation signal corresponding to the user operation is transmitted to the control unit 31. To supply.

  The output unit 29 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a display, a speaker, and the like. For example, when the communication device 11 supplies power to the portable device 12 or when the communication device 11 transmits content to the portable device 12, the output unit 29 controls the control unit 31. In response, the LED is turned on, characters are displayed on the display, or sound is output from the speaker to notify the user that power is being supplied or content is being transmitted.

  Further, for example, the display constituting the output unit 29 displays a list of contents stored in the content storage unit 25. Then, the user can select the content displayed on the display by operating the operation unit 28 and transmit the content to the portable device 12.

  The control information storage unit 30 stores device information indicating the specifications of the communication device 11 and the like.

  Here, for example, in the device information of a certain device, whether the device can supply power to other devices in a non-contact manner, or can data transfer with other devices by wireless communication be performed? Information indicating whether or not is included. The device information of a certain device includes information indicating the name of the manufacturer that manufactured the device, the model number of the device, or an identification ID (IDentification) for identifying the device.

  For example, the device information of the communication device 11 stored in the control information storage unit 30 includes information indicating that the communication device 11 can supply power in a contactless manner, and the communication device 11 performs data transfer by wireless communication. Information indicating what can be done.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32 and a memory 33. The memory 33 of the control unit 31 stores a program executed by the CPU 32 and data necessary for the CPU 32 to execute the program. The CPU 32 executes the program stored in the memory 33. The control unit 31 controls each unit constituting the communication device 11.

  Note that the program stored in the memory 32 of the control unit 31 of the communication device 11 is downloaded via a network (not shown) connected via the communication unit 26, or a removable program in which the program is recorded. It can be read from the media and installed.

  For example, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 26 according to a user operation, and causes the portable device 12 to transmit the content stored in the content storage unit 25.

  In addition, the control unit 31 controls the power transmission unit 23 before transmitting content to the portable device 12, and the device information stored in the control information storage unit 30 is transferred to the portable device 12 via the coil 24. To send to. Then, in response to the transmission of the device information from the communication device 11, the portable device 12 transmits power control information used for controlling the power supplied to the portable device 12, and the power transmission unit 23 is When the power control information of the device 12 is received and supplied to the control unit 31, the control unit 31 controls the power transmission unit 23 based on the power control information of the portable device 12 to supply power to the portable device 12. .

  The portable device 12 includes a coil 41, a power reception unit 42, a charge processing unit 43, a rechargeable battery 44, a communication antenna 45, a communication unit 46, a content storage unit 47, an operation unit 48, an output unit 49, a control information storage unit 50, and The control unit 51 is configured.

  The coil 41 receives the electric power supplied from the communication device 11 in a non-contact manner and supplies the electric power to the power receiving unit 42 by electromagnetic induction using electromagnetic waves output from the coil 24 of the communication device 11.

  The power receiving unit 42 supplies the power supplied from the coil 41 to the charging processing unit 43. Further, when the power transmission unit 23 of the communication device 11 outputs an electromagnetic wave on which predetermined information (signal) is superimposed, the power receiving unit 42 separates the predetermined information from the electromagnetic wave, that is, the predetermined information By demodulating the electromagnetic wave modulated by the information, predetermined information is obtained and supplied to the control unit 51.

  In addition, the power receiving unit 42 controls the power supplied to the portable device 12 by causing the coil 41 to output an electromagnetic wave having a relatively small power that can be detected by the power transmitting unit 23 based on the control of the control unit 51. The power control information used for the transmission can be superimposed on the electromagnetic wave and transmitted to the communication device 11. Note that, unlike the power transmission unit 23 of the communication device 11, the power reception unit 42 cannot output an electromagnetic wave of power that can supply power to other devices from the coil 41.

  The charging processing unit 43 supplies the power supplied from the power receiving unit 42 to the rechargeable battery 44 and charges the rechargeable battery 44. Further, the charge processing unit 43 detects the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 based on the control of the control unit 51, and sends the charge amount information indicating the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 to the control unit 51 via the power receiving unit 42. Supply.

  The rechargeable battery 44 is a rechargeable battery, and supplies power necessary for operation to each block constituting the portable device 12.

  The communication antenna 45 is an antenna used in wireless communication with the communication device 11.

  The communication unit 46 performs wireless communication with, for example, the communication unit 26 of the communication device 11 based on the control of the control unit 51. For example, when the device information of the communication device 11 is transmitted from the communication device 11, the communication unit 46 receives the device information of the communication device 11 and supplies it to the control unit 51, and the content is transmitted from the communication device 11. Then, the content is received and supplied to the content storage unit 47 for storage.

  The content storage unit 47 stores the content supplied from the communication unit 46.

  The operation unit 48 is operated by the user and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the control unit 51.

  The output unit 49 includes, for example, an LED, a display, a speaker, and the like, similarly to the output unit 29 of the communication device 11. For example, when the portable device 12 receives power supply from the communication device 11 or when the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 are transferring data of content, the output unit 29 controls the output unit 29. Depending on the control of the unit 31, the LED is turned on, characters are displayed on the display, or sound is output from the speaker to indicate that power is being received or content data is being transferred. Notify the user.

  The control information storage unit 50 stores device information indicating the specifications of the portable device 12 and the like. Here, as described above, in the portable device 12, unlike the power transmission unit 23 of the communication device 11, the power reception unit 42 outputs an electromagnetic wave of power that can supply power to another device from the coil 41. For example, the device information of the portable device 12 includes information indicating that the portable device 12 cannot supply power to other devices. The device information of the portable device 12 includes information indicating that the portable device 12 can perform data transfer by wireless communication. The control information storage unit 50 also stores information indicating the voltage, charge capacity, etc. of the rechargeable battery 44.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 52 and a memory 53, and controls each unit constituting the portable device 12 by executing a program stored in the memory 53 by the CPU 52, similar to the control unit 31 of the communication device 11. .

  The program stored in the memory 53 of the control unit 51 of the portable device 12 is, for example, downloaded via a network (not shown) connected via the communication unit 46, and a removable medium on which the program is recorded. Or transferred from the communication device 11 via the communication unit 46 and installed.

  For example, when the communication unit 46 receives the device information of the communication device 11 transmitted from the communication device 11 and supplies the device information to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines the communication device 11 based on the device information of the communication device 11. Determines whether power can be supplied to the portable device 12. When the control unit 51 determines that the communication device 11 can supply power to the portable device 12, the control unit 51 controls the charge processing unit 43 to acquire the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44. . And the control part 51 is the electric power control information containing the information which shows the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44 which the charge process part 43 acquired, the voltage of the rechargeable battery 44 memorize | stored in the control information storage part 50, charge capacity, etc. Is generated, and the communication unit 46 is controlled to transmit to the communication device 11.

  In the communication system of FIG. 1 configured as described above, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 28 so as to transmit content from the communication device 11 to the portable device 12, the communication device 11 to the portable device 12. Content is sent to Before the content is transmitted from the communication device 11 to the portable device 12, the device information of the communication device 11 is transmitted to the portable device 12, and the power control information of the portable device 12 is transmitted to the communication device 11. Based on the power control information of the portable device 12, power is supplied from the communication device 11 to the portable device 12.

  In addition, the portable device 12 communicates with the communication device 11 to receive content transmitted from the communication device 11, and also transmits / receives content to / from each other by communicating with other portable devices, for example. be able to.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including two portable devices 12.

  The communication system in FIG. 2 includes a portable device 12 and a portable device 12A. Note that the portable device 12A is configured in the same manner as the portable device 12 of FIG. 1, and detailed description thereof will be omitted below as appropriate.

  In the communication system of FIG. 2, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 48A of the portable device 12A so that content is transmitted from the portable device 12A to the portable device 12, the portable device 12A performs the portable device. Before the content is transmitted to 12, device information indicating that the portable device 12A cannot supply power to another device is transmitted to the portable device 12. Then, the portable device 12 and the portable device 12A transmit content from the portable device 12A to the portable device 12 without exchanging power with each other.

  As described above, the portable device 12 can communicate with the communication device 11 and can communicate with each other. Furthermore, the portable device 12 can communicate with a cradle that only supplies power without transmitting content, and can receive power.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including the portable device 12 and a cradle 61 that only supplies power.

  The cradle 61 in FIG. 3 includes a plug 62, a power rectifier 63, a power transmitter 64, a coil 65, a control information storage 66, and a controller 67 having a CPU 68 and a memory 69. Note that the plug 62, the power rectifier 63, the power transmission unit 64, the coil 65, the control information storage unit 66, or the control unit 67 constituting the cradle 61 are the plug 21 and the power rectifier 22 constituting the communication device 11 of FIG. The power transmission unit 23, the coil 24, the control information storage unit 30, or the control unit 31 are configured in the same manner, and the description thereof is omitted.

  However, the device information of the cradle 61 stored in the control information storage unit 66 of the cradle 61 includes information indicating that the cradle 61 can supply power in a contactless manner, and the cradle 61 performs data transfer by wireless communication. And information indicating that it cannot be performed.

  The cradle 61 superimposes the device information of the cradle 61 on the electromagnetic wave output from the coil 65 and transmits the information to the portable device 12. However, the cradle 61 may include, for example, a communication unit or a communication antenna. For example, the device information can be transmitted to the portable device 12 via the communication antenna.

  That is, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including the portable device 12 and a cradle 71 that transmits device information via a communication antenna.

  4 includes a plug 72, a power rectifying unit 73, a power transmission unit 74, a coil 75, a communication unit 76, a communication antenna 77, a control information storage unit 78, and a control unit 79 having a CPU 80 and a memory 81. The Note that the plug 72, the power rectifying unit 73, the power transmission unit 74, the coil 75, the communication unit 76, the communication antenna 77, the control information storage unit 78, or the control unit 79 constituting the cradle 71 configure the communication device 11 of FIG. The plug 21, the power supply rectification unit 22, the power transmission unit 23, the coil 24, the communication unit 26, the communication antenna 27, the control information storage unit 30, or the control unit 31 are configured in the same manner, and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the portable device 12.

  In step S <b> 11, the power receiving unit 42 of the portable device 12 determines whether device information of another device has been transmitted by electromagnetic waves.

  In step S11, when the power receiving unit 42 determines that the device information of the other device has been transmitted by electromagnetic waves, the process proceeds to step S12, and the power receiving unit 42 receives the device information transmitted by the electromagnetic waves from the other device. That is, electromagnetic waves from other devices are received via the coil 41, device information is separated from the electromagnetic waves, supplied to the control unit 51, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, when the power receiving unit 42 determines in step S11 that the device information of another device has not been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S13, and the communication unit 46 transmits the device information of the other device by wireless communication. It is determined whether it has come.

  In step S13, when the communication unit 46 determines that the device information of the other device has been transmitted by wireless communication, the process proceeds to step S14, and the communication unit 46 transmits the device information of the other device transmitted by wireless communication. Is supplied to the controller 51, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, when the communication unit 46 determines in step S13 that the device information of another device has not been transmitted by wireless communication, the process returns to step S11. That is, the portable device 12 waits until device information of another device is transmitted by electromagnetic waves or device information of another device is transmitted by wireless communication.

  In step S15, the control unit 51 determines whether the device information of the other device supplied from the power receiving unit 42 in step S12 or the device information of the other communication device supplied from the communication unit 46 in step S14. The other device that has transmitted the information can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, for example, the first device that is a device such as the cradle 61 of FIG. 3, or performs data transfer by wireless communication. A second device, such as the portable device 12A of FIG. 2, or both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication For example, it is determined which of the third devices is a device such as the communication device 11 of FIG.

  When the control unit 51 determines in step S15 that the other device that has transmitted the device information is the first device that can only supply power using electromagnetic waves, the process proceeds to step S16, and the control unit 51 Performs a charging process for charging the rechargeable battery 44 and ends the process.

  For example, when the cradle 61 in FIG. 3 is in a state of being close to the portable device 12, information indicating that power can be supplied in a contactless manner and information indicating that data transfer cannot be performed by wireless communication. For example, the device information including is superimposed on the electromagnetic wave and transmitted. In this case, in the portable device 12, the power receiving unit 42 receives the device information of the cradle 61 in step S12, and in step S15, the control unit 51 uses the electromagnetic information of the cradle 61 based on the device information of the cradle 61. It determines with it being the 1st apparatus which can only supply, it progresses to step S16, and a charge process is performed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 51 determines in step S15 that the other device that has transmitted the device information is a second device that can only perform data transfer by wireless communication, the process proceeds to step S17. The control unit 51 performs a data transfer process for transferring data by wireless communication, and ends the process.

  For example, when the portable device 12A of FIG. 2 is in a state of being close to the portable device 12, information indicating that power cannot be supplied to other devices and data transfer by wireless communication can be performed. The device information including the information to be transmitted is transmitted by wireless communication. In this case, in the portable device 12, in step S14, the communication unit 46 of the portable device 12 receives the device information of the portable device 12A. In step S15, the control unit 51 adds the device information of the portable device 12A. Based on this, it is determined that the portable device 12A is a second device that can only perform data transfer by wireless communication, and the process proceeds to step S17 to perform data transfer processing.

  On the other hand, in step S15, the control unit 51 is a third device capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication by another device that has transmitted device information. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S18, where the control unit 51 performs charging and data transfer processing for charging the rechargeable battery 44 and performing data transfer by wireless communication, and ends the processing.

  For example, when the communication device 11 in FIG. 1 is in a state of being close to the portable device 12, information indicating that power can be supplied in a contactless manner and information indicating that data transfer can be performed by wireless communication. Is transmitted by superimposing the device information including the electromagnetic wave on the electromagnetic wave. In this case, in the portable device 12, the power receiving unit 42 receives the device information of the communication device 11 in step S12, and in step S15, the control unit 51 determines that the communication device 11 is an electromagnetic wave based on the device information of the communication device 11. Is determined to be a third device capable of both supplying power and performing data transfer by wireless communication, and proceeds to step S18 to perform charging and data transfer processing.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the charging process in step S16 of FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, the charging process in step S <b> 16 is performed when the other device close to the portable device 12 is the cradle 61 of FIG. 3 as the first device.

  In step S <b> 21, the control unit 51 controls the charge processing unit 43 via the power receiving unit 42 to acquire charge amount information indicating the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 and supply the information to the control unit 51.

  After the process of step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, and the control unit 51 determines whether or not the rechargeable battery 44 is fully charged based on the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44 supplied from the charge processing unit 43 in step S51. judge.

  In step S22, when the control unit 51 determines that the rechargeable battery 44 is not fully charged, the control unit 51 proceeds to step S23, and the control unit 51 includes the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44 supplied from the charge processing unit 43 in step S21. Based on the information indicating the voltage, the charging capacity, and the like of the rechargeable battery 44 stored in the control information storage unit 50, power control information used for controlling the power supplied to the portable device 12 is generated.

  Then, the control unit 51 controls the power receiving unit 42 to output an electromagnetic wave having a relatively small power that can be detected by the power transmission unit 64 of the cradle 61 that is in close proximity to the portable device 12. 12 power control information is superimposed and transmitted to the power transmission unit 64.

  Here, in the cradle 61, the power transmission unit 64 receives the power control information transmitted from the portable device 12 in step S <b> 23 and supplies the power control information to the control unit 67. Further, in the cradle 61, the control unit 67 controls the power transmission unit 64 based on the power control information from the portable device 12 to output an electromagnetic wave having a necessary power via the coil 65.

  In the portable device 12, in step S <b> 24, the power receiving unit 42 receives the power supplied by the electromagnetic wave from the cradle 61 via the coil 41 and supplies it to the charging processing unit 43. Then, the charging processing unit 43 charges the rechargeable battery 44 with the power supplied from the power receiving unit 42. In addition, the control unit 51 controls the output unit 49 to output a message indicating that charging is in progress and notifies the user that charging is in progress. After the process of step S24, the charging process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 51 determines in step S22 that the rechargeable battery 44 is fully charged, the charging process is terminated without the portable device 12 receiving power supply.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the data transfer process in step S17 of FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, the data transfer process in step S <b> 17 is performed when another device in the vicinity of the portable device 12 is the portable device 12 </ b> A in FIG. 2 as the second device.

  In step S31, the control unit 51 acquires content related information including information indicating the data size of the content that is the target of data transfer.

  For example, when the user operates the operation unit 48 </ b> A so that the portable device 12 and the portable device 12 </ b> A are close to each other and the content is transferred from the portable device 12 </ b> A to the portable device 12. In the portable device 12A, the control unit 51A acquires the content related information of the content specified by the user among the content stored in the content storage unit 47A. Then, the control unit 51A controls the communication unit 46A to transmit the content related information to the communication unit 46, and the communication unit 46 receives the content related information transmitted from the communication unit 46A and receives the control unit 51. To supply. Thereby, the control part 51 acquires the content relevant information of the content used as the object of data transfer.

  After the process of step S31, the process proceeds to step S32, where the control unit 51 controls the charge processing unit 43 via the power receiving unit 42 to acquire charge amount information indicating the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44. And the charge process part 43 supplies the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44 to the control part 51, and progresses to step S33.

  In step S33, the control unit 51, based on the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 indicated by the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44 supplied from the charge processing unit 43 in step S32 and the content related information acquired in step S31, It is determined whether or not the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content remains in the rechargeable battery 44.

  That is, the content-related information includes information indicating the data size of the content, and the control unit 51 calculates the time required to transfer the content data based on the data size. If the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 is equal to or greater than the amount necessary to drive the portable device 12 for the time obtained as a result of the calculation, the control unit 51 is necessary for data transfer of content. It is determined that the remaining capacity remains in the rechargeable battery 44. On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 is less than the amount necessary to drive the portable device 12 for the time obtained as a result of the calculation, the control unit 51 is necessary for data transfer of content. It is determined that the remaining capacity does not remain in the rechargeable battery 44.

  In step S33, when the control unit 51 determines that the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content does not remain in the rechargeable battery 44, the control unit 51 proceeds to step S34, and the control unit 51 controls the communication unit 46. Thus, the portable device 12A is caused to transmit information indicating that the content data cannot be transferred to the portable device 12A, and the process is terminated. In this case, the control unit 51 supplies a message indicating that the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content does not remain in the rechargeable battery 44 to the output unit 49, for example, on a display constituting the output unit 49. Display and warn the user.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 51 determines in step S33 that the remaining capacity necessary for the data transfer of the content remains in the rechargeable battery 44, the process proceeds to step S35 and the content data transfer from the portable device 12A. It is determined whether or not information indicating that it cannot be performed has been transmitted.

  Here, for example, similarly to the control unit 51, the control unit 51A of the portable device 12A acquires the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44A, and the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of the content is stored in the rechargeable battery 44A. It is determined whether it remains. For example, when the control unit 51A determines that the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content does not remain in the rechargeable battery 44A, the control unit 51A controls the communication unit 46A to control the portable device. The portable device 12 is caused to transmit information indicating that 12A cannot transfer the content data.

  If the control unit 51 determines in step S35 that information indicating that the content data cannot be transferred from the portable device 12A has not been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S36, where the control unit 51 46 to control content data transfer. In addition, the control unit 51 controls the output unit 49 to output a message indicating that the data is being transferred and notifies the user that the data is being transferred. After the process of step S36, the data transfer process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 51 determines in step S35 that the information indicating that the content data cannot be transferred has been transmitted from the portable device 12A, the content data is not transferred and the data is not transferred. The transfer process is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the charging and data transfer processing in step S18 of FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, the charging and data transfer processing in step S <b> 18 is performed when the other device close to the portable device 12 is the communication device 11 of FIG. 1 as the third device. .

  In step S41, the portable device 12 performs the charging process as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above, and proceeds to step S42.

  That is, for example, the control unit 51 of the portable device 12 controls the charge processing unit 43 to acquire the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44, and the rechargeable battery 44 is fully charged based on the charge amount information. If the rechargeable battery 44 is determined not to be fully charged, power control information for the portable device 12 is generated and transmitted to the communication device 11. When power is supplied from the communication device 11 in a contactless manner based on the power control information of the portable device 12, the rechargeable battery 44 is charged with the power via the power receiving unit 42 and the charging processing unit 43. Is done. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rechargeable battery 44 is fully charged, the charging process is terminated without charging.

  In step S42, the control unit 31 of the communication device 11 and the control unit 51 of the portable device 12 acquire content-related information including information indicating the data size of the content that is the target of data transfer.

  For example, when the portable device 12 transmits content to the communication device 11, the user operates the operation unit 48 to transmit the content stored in the content storage unit 47 to the communication device 11. The content is specified, and the control unit 51 reads out and acquires the content related information of the content specified by the user from the content storage unit 47 via the communication unit 46.

  On the other hand, for example, when the communication device 11 transmits content to the portable device 12, the user operates the operation unit 28, and the portable device 12 among the contents stored in the content storage unit 25. The content to be transmitted is designated, and the control unit 31 acquires content related information of the content designated by the user. Then, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 26 to transmit the content related information to the communication unit 46, and the communication unit 46 receives the content related information transmitted from the communication unit 46 and receives the control unit 51. To supply. Thereby, the control unit 51 acquires the content related information of the content transmitted from the communication device 11.

  After the process of step S42, the process proceeds to step S43, and the control unit 51 controls the communication unit 46 to perform data transfer of the content and ends the process.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the communication apparatus 11 of FIG.

  When the user brings the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 close to each other, for example, designates a predetermined content stored in the content storage unit 25 and operates the operation unit 28 to perform data transfer of the content, In step S <b> 51, the operation unit 28 receives a user operation and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the control unit 31.

  After the process of step S51, the process proceeds to step S52, where the control unit 31 controls the power transmission unit 23 to output an electromagnetic wave from the coil 24, and the electromagnetic wave of the communication device 11 stored in the control information storage unit 30 is output to the electromagnetic wave. The device information is superimposed and transmitted to the portable device 12.

  After the process of step S52, the process proceeds to step S53, and the power transmission unit 23 responds to the device information of the communication device 11 transmitted to the portable device 12 in step S52, and the power control information of the portable device 12 is changed to the portable device 12. It is determined whether or not it has been transmitted from.

  In step S53, when the power transmission unit 23 determines that the power control information of the portable device 12 has been transmitted from the portable device 12, the process proceeds to step S54, where the power transmission unit 23 obtains the power control information of the portable device 12. The data is received and supplied to the control unit 31, and the process proceeds to step S58.

  On the other hand, when the power transmission unit 23 determines in step S53 that the power control information of the portable device 12 has not been transmitted from the portable device 12, the process proceeds to step S55, and the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 26. The device information of the communication device 11 is transmitted to the portable device 12 by wireless communication.

  After the process of step S55, the process proceeds to step S56, and the communication unit 26 receives the power control information of the portable device 12 in response to the device information of the communication device 11 transmitted to the portable device 12 in step S55. It is determined whether or not it has been transmitted from.

  If the communication unit 26 determines in step S56 that the power control information of the portable device 12 has not been transmitted, it skips steps S57 and S58 and proceeds to step S59.

  On the other hand, when the communication unit 26 determines in step S56 that the power control information of the portable device 12 has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, the communication unit 26 receives the power control information of the portable device 12, supplies it to the control unit 31, and proceeds to step S58.

  In step S58, the control unit 31 is based on the power control information of the portable device 12 supplied from the power transmission unit 23 in step S54 or the power control information of the portable device 12 supplied from the communication unit 26 in step S57. Then, the power transmission unit 23 is controlled to supply power to the portable device 12 via the coil 24, and the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step S59, the control unit 31 acquires content related information including information indicating the data size of the content that is the target of data transfer.

  For example, when the communication device 11 transmits content to the portable device 12, the control unit 31 determines the content stored in the content storage unit 25 based on the operation signal supplied from the operation unit 28 in step S51. The content related information of the content designated by the user is acquired. In addition, the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 26 to transmit content related information to the portable device 12, thereby causing the control unit 51 of the portable device 12 to transmit content related information of the content transmitted by the communication device 11. Get information.

  On the other hand, for example, when the portable device 12 transmits content to the communication device 11, the control unit 51 controls the communication unit 46 to transmit content-related information of the content to be transmitted to the communication device 11, and performs communication. When the unit 26 receives the content information transmitted from the communication unit 46 and supplies the content information to the control unit 31, the control unit 31 acquires the content related information of the content transmitted from the communication device 11.

  After the process of step S59, the process proceeds to step S60, where the control unit 31 controls the communication unit 26 to perform data transfer of the content and ends the process.

  As described above, the portable device 12 is a wireless device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves from other devices based on device information of other devices received by the power receiving unit 42 or the communication unit 46. Determining which is a device that can only transfer data by communication, or a device that can both supply power by electromagnetic waves and transfer data by wireless communication Thus, the charging process, the data transfer process, or the charging and data transfer process can be performed according to another device.

  In addition, the portable device 12 can receive power supply in a contactless manner and can transfer content having a relatively large data size by wireless communication. Thus, the user only needs to bring the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 or the portable device 12 close to each other. For example, the user can save the trouble of connecting the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 with a cable. it can.

  In addition, for example, when the cradle and the portable device are connected by electrical contacts (connectors), the electrical contact is corroded, and the connection between the cradle and the portable device is poor. There was a fear. On the other hand, in the case where power is supplied from the communication device 11 to the portable device 12 in a non-contact manner and content data is transferred by wireless communication, no electrical contact is required, and the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 are portable. It is possible to avoid a connection failure with the mold apparatus 12. Further, for example, it is possible to avoid design restrictions due to the arrangement of electrical contacts on the casing of the portable device 12, and it is possible to easily form a waterproof structure.

  In addition, before the data transfer, the portable device 12 can perform data transfer of the content to be transferred based on the information indicating the content size and the charge amount information of the rechargeable battery 44. Therefore, it is possible to avoid interruption of data transfer due to power shortage during data transfer. In addition, it is possible to notify the user that power is insufficient and to prompt charging.

  The communication device 11 can receive power from a DC power supply in addition to receiving power from an external commercial power supply, and can receive power from, for example, an in-vehicle battery.

  In addition to the communication antenna, the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 can transmit and receive data such as content using a communication coupler, for example.

  Furthermore, the communication device 11 or the portable device 12 can be provided with a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element. In this case, when the communication device 11 and the portable device 12 detect the proximity of each other by the magnetic sensor, communication with each other can be started.

  In addition, when the portable device 12 performs data transfer with the communication device 11, for example, when the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery 44 is almost empty, the communication device 11 supplies power sufficient to perform data transfer. The data transfer can be started after waiting until it is done.

  Note that the portable device 12 cannot receive power contactlessly and can perform data transfer with any device that can transfer data by wireless communication, that is, a device that can only transfer data. In this case, the portable device 12 can perform data transfer with a device capable of only data transfer by the same processing as the data transfer processing performed with the portable device 12A.

  The processes described with reference to the flowcharts described above do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowcharts, but are performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processes or objects). Processing).

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the communication system to which this invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including two portable devices 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system comprised from the portable apparatus 12 and the cradle 61 which only supplies electric power. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system comprised from the portable apparatus 12 and the cradle 71 which transmits / receives apparatus information and electric power supply information via a communication antenna. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the portable device 12. It is a flowchart explaining a charging process. It is a flowchart explaining a data transfer process. It is a flowchart explaining charge and a data transfer process. It is a flowchart explaining the process which the communication apparatus 11 performs.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Communication apparatus, 12 Portable apparatus, 21 Plug, 22 Power supply rectification part, 23 Power transmission part, 24 Coil, 25 Content storage part, 26 Communication part, 27 Communication antenna, 28 Operation part, 29 Output part, 30 Control information storage part , 31 control unit, 41 coil, 42 power receiving unit, 43 charge processing unit, 44 rechargeable battery, 45 communication antenna, 46 communication unit, 47 content storage unit, 48 operation unit, 49 output unit, 50 control information storage unit, 51 control Part

Claims (8)

At least one of a communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves, performing data transfer by wireless communication, supplying power by electromagnetic waves, and performing data transfer by wireless communication is In a communication system comprising other possible communication devices,
The communication device
Power receiving means for receiving non-contact power supplied by electromagnetic waves;
Wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication;
Based on the information superimposed on the electromagnetic wave that supplies power to the power receiving means or the information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means, the other communication device can only supply power by the electromagnetic wave. The first device, the second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or the third device that can both supply power by electromagnetic waves and transfer data by wireless communication Determination means for determining which of the devices, and
When the determination means determines that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device,
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the power reception unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless A communication system in which communication means transfers data of contents by wireless communication with the other communication device. In a communication device capable of receiving power supply by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication,
Power receiving means for receiving non-contact power supplied by electromagnetic waves;
Wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication;
Supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or Determining means for determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication;
When the determination means determines that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is the second device, the wireless communication unit performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device,
When the determination unit determines that the other communication device is a third device, the power reception unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless A communication device in which a communication means transfers data of content by wireless communication with the other communication device. A battery for supplying power necessary for the operation of the communication device;
Data size acquisition means for acquiring the data size of content transferred by wireless communication with the second device;
Data transfer determination means for determining whether or not there is a remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of the content of the data size acquired by the data size acquisition means as the remaining capacity of the battery,
Only when the data transfer determining means determines that the remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content remains, the wireless communication means performs data transfer of content by wireless communication with the other communication device. The communication apparatus according to claim 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning when it is determined by the data transfer determination unit that there is no remaining capacity necessary for data transfer of content. A full charge determination means for determining whether or not the battery is fully charged when the other communication device is the first or third device;
Requesting means for requesting charging to the other device when the full-charge determining means determines that the battery is not fully charged, and
The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves output from the other communication device in response to the charge request, and charges the battery. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising notification means for notifying a user that the power receiving means is receiving power or that the wireless communication means is transferring data. In a communication method of a communication device comprising a power receiving means for receiving power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves and a wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication,
Supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or Determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication;
If it is determined that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
If it is determined that the other communication device is a second device, the wireless communication means performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device;
When it is determined that the other communication device is a third device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit A communication method including a step of transferring content data by wireless communication with another communication device. In a program to be executed by a computer built in a communication device having a power receiving means for receiving non-contact power supplied by electromagnetic waves and a wireless communication means for transferring data by wireless communication,
Supplying power by electromagnetic waves and transferring data by wireless communication based on information superimposed on electromagnetic waves for supplying power to the power receiving means or information received by wireless communication by the wireless communication means A first device that can only supply power by electromagnetic waves, a second device that can only transfer data by wireless communication, or Determining which of the third devices is capable of both supplying power by electromagnetic waves and performing data transfer by wireless communication;
If it is determined that the other communication device is the first device, the power receiving means receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device;
If it is determined that the other communication device is a second device, the wireless communication means performs content data transfer by wireless communication with the other communication device;
When it is determined that the other communication device is a third device, the power receiving unit receives power supplied in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic waves from the other communication device, and the wireless communication unit A program that causes a computer to execute communication processing for transferring content data by wireless communication with another communication device.

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