JP2013172389A - Hybrid communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve communication stability in an electric field communication technology to perform communication by inducing an electric field in an electric field transmission medium such as a human body and detecting the induced electric field.SOLUTION: A hybrid communication device 100 includes a radio communication device 10, an electric field communication device 20, a communication path switching circuit 30 and a data processing unit 40 having a communication quality evaluation unit 41. Based on the communication quality of the communication path, a transmission data communication path is switched to a radio communication path by the radio communication device 10 or an electric field communication path by the electric field communication device 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric field communication technique in which an electric field is induced in an electric field transmission medium such as a human body and communication is performed by detecting the induced electric field.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an electric field communication apparatus that induces an electric field based on data to be transmitted to an electric field transmission medium that transmits an electric field, detects the induced electric field, and performs data communication.

  This electric field communication technique is extremely convenient because it can communicate with another electric field communication apparatus simply by contacting the electrode without taking out the electric field communication apparatus possessed by the user.

  However, since the conventional electric field communication device uses charge propagation in the vicinity of a substance as a communication principle, there is a problem that communication cannot be performed due to signal attenuation at a long distance as in normal wireless communication.

  In order to solve the problem, according to Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the communication path is set to an electric field communication unit or wireless LAN communication according to the size of data transmitted and received between two electric field communication devices. Or a technology for switching to a Bluetooth communication unit is disclosed. That is, the data size is calculated before transmission, and when the value is larger than a certain value, switching from electric field communication to wireless communication suitable for high-speed communication is performed.

JP 2010-187069 A

  However, since the communication path is mechanically switched according to the size of the data, there is a situation where it is difficult to perform stable communication because there is no indication of the communication state or communication state on the communication path. was there.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, in order to achieve a high transmission rate in electric field communication, it is necessary to increase the S / N ratio, and in principle, communication is not possible in a space that is more than a dozen centimeters apart regardless of the data size. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to realize the stability of communication.

  The hybrid communication device according to claim 1 is an electric field communication unit that performs electric field communication by inducing an electric field from an electrode to an electric field transmission medium, an electric communication unit that performs electric communication other than the electric field communication, and a communication quality of a communication path. And a communication path switching means for switching the communication path of the transmission data to the communication path by the electric field communication means or the telecommunication means based on the above.

  According to the present invention, since the communication path of the transmission data is switched to the communication path by the electric field communication means or the electric communication means based on the communication quality of the communication path, it is possible to realize communication stability.

  The hybrid communication device according to claim 2 is the hybrid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunication means is a wireless communication means that performs communication by emitting transmission data from an antenna, and acts as the electrode. It has the common antenna which acts further as said antenna.

  According to the present invention, the telecommunication means is a wireless communication means that performs communication by emitting transmission data from the antenna, and has a shared antenna that acts as an electrode and further acts as an antenna, thereby realizing a compact device configuration. it can.

  The hybrid communication device according to claim 3 is the hybrid communication device according to claim 2, further comprising communication path switching means for physically short-circuiting or releasing a part of the shape of the shared antenna. To do.

  According to the present invention, since the communication path switching means for physically short-circuiting or releasing a part of the shape of the shared antenna is further provided, the transmission efficiency can be improved.

  The hybrid communication device according to claim 4 is the hybrid communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the communication path is switched to the communication path by the telecommunication means, low-importance data is transmitted, and the electric field is transmitted. It further comprises data transmission means for transmitting data of high importance when the communication path is switched by the communication means.

  According to the present invention, the information of low importance is transmitted when switched to the communication path by the telecommunication means, and the data of high importance is transmitted when switched to the communication path by the electric field communication means. Improve security.

  According to the present invention, communication stability can be realized.

It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of a hybrid communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows one utilization form of a hybrid communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the hybrid communication apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block structure of the conventional hybrid communication apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the data transmission speed and SN ratio in electric field communication.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different modes and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the present embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of the hybrid communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. The hybrid communication device 100 mainly includes a wireless communication device 10, an electric field communication device 20, a communication path switching circuit 30, and a data processing unit 40.

  The wireless communication device 10 emits transmission data from the antenna 11 to the external space, and performs data communication with the counterpart device wirelessly. For example, it can be realized using a wireless LAN or Bluetooth. In addition to wireless communication, in general, any electric communication means for performing electrical data communication other than the electric field communication device 20 may be used.

  The electric field communication device 20 induces an electric field based on transmission data from an electrode 21 to an electric field transmission medium such as a human body (not shown in FIG. 1), and performs data communication with the counterpart device by the electric field. For example, this can be realized by using the electric field communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above. In addition, since electric field communication technology is well-known, description of a specific function and operation | movement is abbreviate | omitted.

  The communication path switching circuit 30 selects the transmission path of the transmission data as a wireless communication path by the wireless communication apparatus 10 or an electric field communication path by the electric field communication apparatus 20 based on the communication quality evaluation result of the communication path executed by the data processing unit 40. Switch to.

  The data processing unit 40 includes a communication quality evaluation unit 41 that evaluates the communication quality of the communication path, a data transmission unit 42 that transmits transmission data to the partner apparatus via the communication path switched based on the evaluation result, and a transmission It is mainly comprised by the data storage part 43 which memorize | stores various data, such as data.

  Next, the operation of the hybrid communication apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of the hybrid communication apparatus. In this hybrid communication device 100, the wireless communication path by the wireless communication device 10 is normally used.

  First, in step S1, the communication path switching circuit 30 connects the connection destination of the data processing unit 40 at a certain timing based on a communication path switching signal (communication path: electric field communication path) from the communication quality evaluation unit 41. Is switched to the electric field communication device 20 (temporary communication path switching for the purpose of evaluating the communication quality of the communication path).

  Next, in step S2, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 evaluates the communication quality (for example, communication strength, error occurrence rate, etc.) of the electric field communication path by the switched electric field communication device 20.

  Next, in step S3, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 determines whether or not the communication quality evaluation result executed in step S2 satisfies a certain quality. If the quality standard is satisfied, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 proceeds to step S4 and satisfies it. If not, the process proceeds to step S5.

  Finally, in step S4, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 transmits a communication path switching signal (communication path: electric field communication path) for switching to the electric field communication path by the electric field communication device 20 to the communication path switching circuit 30, and the communication path switching circuit 30 switches the connection destination of the data processing unit 40 to the electric field communication device 20 based on the communication path switching signal.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 5, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 transmits a communication path switching signal (communication path: wireless communication path) for switching to a wireless communication path by the wireless communication device 10 to the communication path switching circuit 30, and the communication path switching circuit 30. Switches the connection destination of the data processing unit 40 to the wireless communication device 10 based on the communication path switching signal.

  Specifically, thresholds are set in advance for the communication strength and the error occurrence rate, and the transmission path of the transmission data is switched to the electric field communication path when the communication strength is larger than the set threshold, and is smaller than the set threshold. Switch to the wireless communication path. On the other hand, when the error occurrence rate is used as the quality standard, switching to the electric field communication path is performed when the error occurrence rate is smaller than the set threshold value, and switching to the wireless communication path when the error occurrence rate is larger than the set threshold value.

  Note that the measurement method and calculation method of the communication strength and error occurrence rate, and the necessary apparatus configuration can be realized by a known technique. For example, the error occurrence rate of the communication path to be measured can be calculated using the number of data that has been transmitted several times at a certain timing and the number of data that could not be received in a certain time (no response). You may calculate.

  In addition, step S1-step S5 demonstrated above are repeatedly performed by a fixed time interval.

  As described above, the wireless communication device 10 and the electric field communication device 20 are provided, and the communication path of transmission data is switched between the wireless communication route by the wireless communication device 10 or the electric field communication route by the electric field communication device 20 based on the communication quality of the communication route. Therefore, communication stability can be realized.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one usage pattern of the hybrid communication device. An embedded terminal 400 incorporating the hybrid communication device 100 is installed in the vicinity of the entrance / exit security door. The embedded terminal 400 functions as an antenna 11 and an electrode 21 by using the door knob 300, authenticating means for performing user authentication using the received user ID, door control means for unlocking or locking the door based on the authentication result, etc. Is provided.

  Here, a case where the user 500 who has put the hybrid communication apparatus 100 in which his / her user ID is registered into the bag 200 comes close to the entrance / exit security door will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the user 500 is still located at a long distance from the door, since the user 500 is not in contact with the door knob 300, an error occurs on the electric field communication path using the user 500 as an electric field transmission medium. The rate is higher than the set threshold.

  Therefore, in such a case, the communication path switching circuit 30 switches the communication path to the wireless communication path from the antenna 11, and the data transmission unit 42 acquires the user ID from the data storage unit 43 and releases it from the antenna 11. Thus, it is notified that there is a communication partner in the area of the entrance / exit security door, and data exchange with low security importance is performed in advance.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the user 500 approaches the door, the user 500 comes into contact with the door knob 300. Therefore, the error occurrence rate on the electric field communication path using the user 500 as the electric field transmission medium is set threshold. Lower than.

  Therefore, in such a case, the communication path switching circuit 30 switches the communication path to the electric field communication path from the electrode 21 when confirming that the communication path switching circuit 30 has entered the area. When contact is made, data having higher importance than the user ID is transmitted from the electrode 21.

  From the above, low-importance data is transmitted when switched to a telecommunication path (high communication speed), and high-importance data is switched when switched to an electric field communication path (low communication speed). Since it is transmitted, information security can be improved.

  In particular, in electric field communication, by evaluating the communication quality of a communication path and performing data exchange at a low speed, stable communication can be performed even in a noisy environment with a relatively low SN ratio (noise resistance characteristics). Improvement).

  Therefore, according to the present hybrid communication device 100, the communication path is switched after confirming the communication quality of the communication path, so that stable communication can always be realized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication path of the transmission data is switched to the wireless communication path by the wireless communication device 10 or the electric field communication path by the electric field communication device 20 based on the communication quality of the communication path. When switching to (high communication speed), low-importance data is transmitted, and when switching to an electric field communication path (low communication speed), high-importance data is transmitted. And a hybrid communication device that can simultaneously realize information security and communication stability.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a case is described in which the evaluation criteria used for evaluating the communication quality of the communication path are the same setting parameters (communication strength, error occurrence rate, etc.) in the radio communication device 10 and the electric field communication device 20. did.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the setting parameters (communication standard, frequency, communication protocol, output, sensitivity, etc.) between the wireless communication device 10 and the electric field communication device 20 may be made different. For example, setting parameters suitable for each communication method, such as ASK (amplitude shift keying) as the wireless communication modulation method and BPSK (two phase shift keying) as the electric field communication modulation method, are used as evaluation criteria. May be.

  In this case, since each evaluation standard used for the wireless communication path and the electric field communication path is different, a threshold is set for each of these different evaluation standards, and communication for the wireless communication path and the electric field communication path is performed. Each route communication evaluation is executed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the setting parameters suitable for each communication method of the wireless communication path and the electric field communication path are used as evaluation criteria, more stable communication can be realized.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the wireless communication device 10 and the electric field communication device 20 are provided has been described.

  On the other hand, since both of these communication devices can be configured by similar circuits, instead of having the wireless communication device 10 and the electric field communication device 20 respectively, as shown in FIG. One radio / electric field communication device 50 may be provided, and a selector 60 that switches the output from the radio / electric field communication device 50 to the antenna 11 or the electrode 21 may be further provided.

  The communication quality evaluation unit 41 performs the communication path switching determination as described in step S3 of FIG. 2, and transmits a selector signal for selecting a communication path based on the determination result to the selector 60.

  The selector 60 switches the connection destination of the wireless / electric field communication device 50 to the antenna 11 or the electrode 21 based on the selector signal. Specifically, in the case of a selector signal (communication path: wireless communication path), the connection destination of the wireless / electric field communication device 50 is switched to the antenna 11, and in the case of a selector signal (communication path: electric field communication path), The connection destination of the electric field communication device 50 is switched to the electrode 21.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the wireless / electric field communication apparatus 50 is configured, it is economical and downsizing can be achieved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the case where one wireless / electric field communication apparatus 50 (same hardware) is used has been described.

  Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 6, as described in the second embodiment, the setting parameters (communication standard, frequency, communication protocol) used for the wireless communication function and the electric field communication function in the wireless / electric field communication apparatus 50 are used. , Output, sensitivity, etc.) may be separated.

  That is, in the third embodiment, when the communication path is switched while using one wireless / electric field communication device 50, the setting parameter is replaced, so that it is suitable for each communication method as in the second embodiment. Communicate.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, the communication quality evaluation unit 41 determines the switching of the communication path, transmits a selector signal based on the determination result to the selector 60, and connects the wireless / electric field communication apparatus 50 to the connection destination. Is switched to the antenna 11 or the electrode 21.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the setting parameters suitable for each communication method of the wireless communication path and the electric field communication path are used as evaluation criteria, more stable communication can be realized.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the wireless / electric field communication device 50 is configured, it is economical and downsizing can be achieved.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Since the wireless communication path and the electric field communication path are different communication paths, in the first to fourth embodiments, the antenna 11 and the electrode 21 are respectively provided in the part used for data signal propagation. explained.

  On the other hand, since both of these functions can be constituted by the same conductor, instead of providing the antenna 11 and the electrode 21 respectively, as shown in FIG. In the electric field communication, the shared antenna 70 acting as the electrode 21 may be used.

  The shape of the shared antenna 70 shown in FIG. 7 is a typical example. As a conductor pattern constituting the shared antenna 70, various structures such as spirals, strips, and lattices are conceivable. In each of the two-dimensional spaces, a wide area portion is combined with a narrow strip-shaped conductor to increase efficiency as an electrode.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the shared antenna 70 that functions as the antenna 11 in wireless communication and functions as the electrode 21 in electric field communication is used, further integration of the hybrid communication device 100 proceeds and a smaller size is achieved. Device configuration is possible.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The shared antenna 70 used in the fifth embodiment serves as the antenna 11 in wireless communication and the electrode 21 in electric field communication as it is. However, the transmission efficiency is not so high because the antenna 11 for wireless communication and the electrode 21 for electric field communication are used in a pseudo manner.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a communication path changeover switch 80 connected to both ends of the shared antenna 70 is further provided, and a part of the shape of the shared antenna 70 is physically or circuitically used. Carve out both functions by short-circuiting or releasing.

  That is, the communication path switch 80 connects (short-circuits) both ends of the shared antenna 70 when the communication path switching signal transmitted from the communication path switching circuit 30 is a communication path switching signal (communication path: electric field communication path). In the case of a communication path switching signal (communication path: wireless communication path), both ends of the shared antenna 70 are disconnected (released).

  By connecting both ends of the common antenna 70, the loop is formed, which is electrically equivalent to one electrode, so that the transmission efficiency of electric field communication can be increased.

  The shared antenna 70 used in the fifth and sixth embodiments is a radio communication radio system, and is an electromagnetic induction system (magnetic flux coupling) antenna in an RF-ID or non-contact IC card. The design is different.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a part of the shape of the shared antenna 70 is short-circuited or released physically or in a circuit, so that the transmission efficiency can be improved.

  As described above, the six embodiments have been described. However, in order to complement the feature of electric field communication, “the higher the speed communication, the higher the S / N ratio is necessary”, the form in which other communication is used. Is easily considered. In wireless communication, in addition to the use of long-range wireless (shortwave band) and short-range wireless (ultra-ultra-high frequency band), use of UWB (ultra-wideband wireless) is also conceivable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Hybrid communication apparatus 10 ... Wireless communication apparatus (electric communication means, wireless communication means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Antenna 20 ... Electric field communication apparatus (electric field communication means)
21 ... Electrode 30 ... Communication path switching circuit (communication path switching means)
40: Data processing unit 41: Communication quality evaluation unit (communication path switching means)
42: Data transmission unit (data transmission means)
43 ... Data storage unit 50 ... Wireless / electric field communication device 60 ... Selector 70 ... Shared antenna 80 ... Communication path switch (communication path switching means)
200 ... bag 300 ... doorknob 400 ... embedded terminal 500 ... user (electric field transmission medium)
S1-S5 ... Processing steps

Claims (4)

Electric field communication means for performing electric field communication by inducing an electric field from an electrode to an electric field transmission medium;
Telecommunication means for performing electrical communication other than the electric field communication;
Communication path switching means for switching the communication path of transmission data to the communication path by the electric field communication means or the electric communication means based on the communication quality of the communication path;
A hybrid communication apparatus comprising: The telecommunication means is a wireless communication means for communicating by releasing transmission data from an antenna,
The hybrid communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shared antenna that functions as the electrode and further functions as the antenna.   The hybrid communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising communication path switching means for physically short-circuiting or releasing a part of the shape of the shared antenna.   It further comprises data transmitting means for transmitting low-importance data when switched to the communication path by the telecommunications means and transmitting high-importance data when switched to the communication path by the electric field communication means. The hybrid communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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