JP6664372B2 - Communication device, communication device control method, communication system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication system.

  NFC (Near Field Communication) is defined as a communication standard related to the close proximity wireless transfer technology. In NFC, there are three communication modes used between devices: a card emulation function that can be used as an IC card, a reader / writer function that can read and write an IC card, and a terminal-to-terminal communication function that performs bidirectional communication between NFC-compatible devices. Stipulated. Further, NFC stipulates that a device on a connection request side (link activation side) obtains information such as a mode and a protocol supported by a partner device (link side). Then, it is defined that a mode and a protocol to be executed by the own device are selected and set based on a mode and a protocol corresponding to the obtained partner device (Non-Patent Document 2). In the NFC, a mode in which the operation of the NFC interface is operated by power supply from within the own device (active mode) and a mode in which power is supplied from another device (induced electromotive force) (passive mode) are defined. . Normally, NFC communication using the card emulation function operates in a passive mode.

  Also, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for activating a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card), which is a smart card used in a mobile phone, upon detection of proximity of another device (proximity determination by detecting induced electromotive force). I have. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a non-contact IC card file system service or the like mounted in a UICC is started in response to proximity detection of another device. Further, when the proximity is not detected in the NFC interface (the proximity determination based on the detection of the induced electromotive force), the operation of the NFC interface of the own device is changed to the active mode (a mode in which power is supplied from within the own device). There is a technology (Patent Document 1).

ETSI TS 102 622 "Smart cards; UICC-Contactless Front-end (CLF) Interface; Host Controller Interface" Technical Specification ISO / IEC 18092 "Near Field Communication-Interface and Protocol"

JP 2010-273373 A

  When an NFC is implemented in a portable device, it is general that the portable device includes a host processor that controls the entire device and an LSI that controls an NFC interface. In such a configuration, in order to support the reader / writer emulation function and the inter-terminal communication function, it is necessary to start a host processor that controls the entire device and start a corresponding application. On the other hand, since the card emulation function can operate in the passive mode, it can communicate with the partner device without activating the host processor. Also, when the portable device performs NFC communication as a linked device, a device that supports a reader / writer emulation function and a terminal-to-terminal communication function on the link activation side if the host processor is not activated. Can not be notified as.

  However, from the viewpoint of power consumption, it is not always preferable from the viewpoint of power consumption to activate hardware that consumes power, such as a host processor, every time communication is performed by NFC (proximity detection) to support each mode. There is no. For example, the host processor does not have to be activated every time NFC communication is performed, as long as it is sufficient to perform communication with the partner device and the card emulation function. Therefore, it is desired to activate power-consuming hardware such as a host processor only when necessary even when performing NFC communication from the viewpoint of power consumption.

  An object of the present invention is to shift a communication device to a power-on state according to communication conforming to the NFC standard.

The communication device of the present invention, in a state in which the control unit that controls the communication device is not activated , wireless communication means capable of performing first wireless communication with another communication device in accordance with a first communication standard Transmitting means for transmitting a first signal including information based on whether or not the communication device can execute a predetermined function using the first wireless communication via the wireless communication means; Whether a second signal selected by the other communication device based on the information, a second wireless communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard with the other communication device If the previous SL receiving means for the other communication apparatus or we receive via the wireless communication means in a state that can not perform the communication, to the second signal received by the receiving means, it contained specific information Activates the control unit and communicates with the The device is controlled so as to shift to a state capable of executing the second wireless communication with the other communication apparatus, the second signal received by the receiving means, the specific information is not included If, and a control means for controlling so as not to shift the to the second wireless communication possible execution state of the previous SL communication device the other communication apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the communication device can be switched to the power-on state according to the communication conforming to the NFC standard.

It is a schematic diagram of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration block diagram of a Listen Side (DSC) Device of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration block diagram of a Poll Side (MFP) Device of the embodiment. It is a control sequence chart of this embodiment. 4 is a processing conceptual flowchart of a Listen Side (DSC) Device of the first embodiment. 3 is a conceptual flowchart of a process of a Poll Side (MFP) Device according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of definition of Flash Memory Area for contactless IC card services of an embodiment.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In the system shown in FIG. 1, Device A (10) is an MFP (Multi Function Printer) of a Poll Side (link activation device). Device B (11) is a DSC (Digital Still Camera) of Listen Side (linked equipment). In the present embodiment, the device is brought close to Device A (10), and when Device A (10) desires, the host processor that manages the main service processing of Device B11 is started. An example of a functional configuration block diagram of the device B (11) is shown in FIG. 2, and an example of a functional configuration block diagram of the device A (10) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, Device B (11) includes an antenna (20), a near field communication (NFC) communication control LSI (21), a host processor (22), and a non-contact IC card service coprocessor (23). .

  The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (21) is an LSI (Large Scale Integration) for controlling close proximity wireless communication, and operates with power (induced electromotive force) supplied from another device. The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (21) further includes a Contact Less Frontend (wireless control unit) (210) for controlling wireless control, and an NFC Mode Switch (switching unit) (211) for changing operation modes. The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (21) further includes a host controller (host control unit) (212) that controls communication with an external processor, and a host interface (interface unit) (213) that is an interface with the external processor.

  An Access Monitor (monitoring unit) (214) for monitoring a memory access by another device of the contactless IC card service memory is a predetermined memory access in which an address or a block and an access pattern are predetermined. Is determined. The wakeup pattern storage area (215) stores information that associates processing executed in response to a predetermined access to the memory monitored by the monitoring unit 214. As an example of processing to be executed in response to the detected predetermined memory access, a host processor (22) in a sleep mode (a state in which power consumption is reduced) is started, and communication is performed between terminals so that two-way communication is possible. Activate the terminal-to-terminal communication function that is the mode in which the

  The host processor (22) operates on a battery (not shown) built in the device B (11), and controls the entire apparatus. The host processor (22) has a device driver (driver unit) (220) that controls the close proximity wireless transfer control LSI (21) by executing a control program (not shown). Similarly, it has an NFC Common Middleware (NFC control unit) (221) for controlling each proximity wireless operation mode, and an Applications (application unit) (222) for controlling service to be executed.

  The non-contact IC card service coprocessor (23) operates with power (induced electromotive force) supplied from another device, and executes an IC card service provided by a card emulation function. In the IC card service by the card emulation function, an arbitrary address (block) of a memory (storage unit) is designated and accessed (read / written) from another device. The non-contact IC card service coprocessor (23) has a Card Service (card service control unit) (230) that performs various controls in the IC card service. In addition, it has a flash memory area (storage unit) (231) as a storage location of information.

  When the host processor (22) of the device B (11) is in the sleep mode, the corresponding operation mode is only the card emulation function. In order to support the reader / writer emulation function and the two-way communication function, the host processor (22) needs to be active (active mode, which is a non-sleep mode).

  In FIG. 3, Device A (10) includes an antenna (30), a near field communication (NFC) communication control LSI (31), and a host processor (32). The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (31) can supply power to another device (generate an induced electromotive force). The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (31) includes a contact less frontend (wireless control unit) (310) for controlling wireless control, and an NFC mode switch (switching unit) (311) for changing operation modes. The close proximity wireless communication control LSI (31) further includes a host controller (host control unit) (312) that controls communication with an external processor, and a host interface (313) that is an interface with the external processor.

  The host processor (32) is a processor that controls the entire apparatus. The host processor (32) has a device driver (driver unit) (320) that controls the close proximity wireless transfer control LSI (31) by executing a control program (not shown). Similarly, it has an NFC Common Middleware (NFC control unit) (321) for controlling each proximity wireless operation mode, and an Applications (application unit) (322) for controlling service to be executed. Further, the host processor (32) has a Wakeup pattern storage area (323) for storing information that associates processing executed in response to detection of a predetermined memory access to the storage unit 231 of the Device B (20). The information stored in the Device B (20) Wakeup pattern storage area (215) and the information stored in the Device A (10) Wakeup pattern storage area (323) respectively correspond to each other.

  The operation of the system having the configuration described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of Device B (11) in the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of Device A (10), which is a Poll Side, in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a control sequence chart according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that Device B (11) in which the host processor (22) is not activated (sleep mode) is brought close to Device A (10). In the case where the device B (11) being activated by the host processor (22) is brought close to the device A (10), the following processing is not performed, and the normal processing according to the NFC connection processing and the application service performed mutually are performed. Communication processing.

  The device A (10) intermittently supplies an induced electromotive force to the opposing device and transmits (Polling) an inquiry message to the opposing device about a communication protocol that the opposing device can support and an available near-field communication operation mode information. Has been implemented. (401 in FIG. 4, 601 in FIG. 6). Further, Device A (10) continuously performs Polling until receiving a response from the opposite device (602). When the user brings the device B (11) close to the effective area (within several cm) of the induced electromotive force supplied by the device A (10), the device B (11) operates in the proximity radio which can operate with the induced electromotive force. Activate the communication control LSI (21). Then, upon receiving the Polling from Device A (10), the activated short-range wireless communication control LSI (21) confirms Attribute (a communication protocol that can be supported and usable proximity communication operation mode information). The proximity wireless communication control LSI (21) determines that only the card emulation function can be supported because the host processor (22) is in the sleep mode. Then, Device B (11) that has received the Polling including the Attribute inquiry (401) returns a Response message. In the Response message, the compatible communication protocols (NFC A, NFC F) and the corresponding operation mode Card Emulation are returned to Device A (10) (402, 420, 500 in FIG. 5).

  In addition, the started proximity wireless communication (NFC) communication control LSI (21) sends a “Wake up signal” for starting the contactless IC card service coprocessor (23) to the contactless IC card service coprocessor (23). Output (501). Then, the non-contact IC card service coprocessor (23) is activated in response to the reception of the “Wake up signal” (transits to an active state) and operates to support the card emulation function. (502).

  On the other hand, Device A (10) determines from the response message to Polling whether the operation mode supported by the opposing device is only the card emulation function (not the terminal-to-terminal communication function or the reader / writer emulation function) (603). Is carried out.

  If the device A (10) determines that the mode supported by the opposite device is not only the card emulation function, the process ends. Then, the processing shifts to the control of the normal close proximity wireless communication (NFC) Poll Side (the activation side of the wireless connection), and performs communication processing according to the service to be performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that only the card emulation function is supported, it is determined whether or not the connection is a reconnection from the connected device connected immediately before (604). The fact that the reconnected device supports only the card emulation function means a device that does not support the processing in this embodiment (for example, an IC card that supports only the card emulation function). Therefore, the present processing is ended, the control is shifted to the control of the normal proximity wireless (NFC) Poll Side (a wireless connection activation side), and the communication processing according to the service to be performed is performed.

  If Device A (10) determines that the connected device is not a reconnection, it transmits a message instructing operation of the card emulation function to Device B (11) (403). The switching unit 311 of the device A (10) is set to operate by the reader / writer emulation function. The reader / writer emulation function is a mode in which an address of a memory of another device operating in the card emulation function can be specified and accessed.

  The switching unit 211 of the device B (11) receives the communication protocol (NFC F) and the (card emulation function) specified by the device A (10), and sets the protocol and the operation mode according to the instructions. Then, Device B (11) returns an operation mode setting success response (404).

  However, the application unit 323 executed in Device A (10) executes the service in an operation mode other than the card emulation function (for example, the terminal-to-terminal communication function). That is, if the device B (11) has the card emulation function, the service cannot be executed. Therefore, Device A (10) performs a process for causing Device B (11) to change the operation so as to be compatible with the terminal-to-terminal communication function. In other words, the device A (10) activates the host processor (21) of the device B (11) and performs processing for coping with a function other than the card emulation function.

The host processor (32) of the device A (10) uses the contactless IC card service to access the memory of the storage unit 231 of the device B (11) based on the information stored in the wakeup pattern storage area (323). Do. (405-408, 605). In addition,
A predetermined memory access to the memory stored in the wakeup pattern storage area (323, 215) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of the format definition of the flash memory area (storage unit) (231) for the contactless IC card service. FIG. 7 shows the addresses of the storage unit 231 and logical blocks corresponding to the addresses. The predetermined memory access means that an arbitrary access (read, write) to an arbitrary address (block) is determined in advance. As an example of the predetermined memory access, arbitrary information (for example, a character string “wake”) may be written at an arbitrary address (block) (for example, 00x0000). Further, for example, the order (access pattern) for reading (writing) to an arbitrary address (block) may be specified (for example, reading is performed in the order of addresses 00x0000, 00x0010, and 00x01E0).

  Subsequently, the monitoring unit 214 of the device B (11) detects that the memory access from the device A (10) to the storage unit 231 matches the access information stored in the wakeup pattern storage area (215) ( 422, 505). When a predetermined memory access to the storage unit 231 of the monitoring unit 214 of the device B (11) is detected, the host control unit 212 activates the host processor (22) (cancels the sleep mode) to “Wakeup”. The signal is output (506). Upon receiving the “Wakeup” signal, the host processor (22) of Device B (11) switches its operation from the sleep mode to the active mode and starts up.

  By activating the host processor (22) of the device B (11), it becomes possible to support an operation mode (in this embodiment, an inter-terminal communication function communication mode) that can be newly implemented with the intervention of the host processor. The host processor (22) updates (423) the Attribute information of the device in the near field communication (NFC) communication control LSI (21) for the purpose of adding the support information of the inter-terminal communication function. The proximity wireless communication (NFC) communication control LSI (21) that has recognized the update of the attribute information (507) disconnects the connection with the device A (10) once to transmit the update of the attribute information to the device A (10). (508). The near field communication (NFC) communication control LSI (21) transmits a message for releasing (disconnecting) the near field wireless (NFC) communication channel to the device A (10) (410), and the device A (10) responds. A message is returned (411). When the device A (10) detects the release of the connection (606), the device A (10) inquires the Attribute of the device (corresponding communication protocol / proximity communication operation mode information) by supplying the induced electromotive force and intermittent Polling (412). , 425, 601). Even after the release control, there is no change in the physical proximity positional relationship between the device A (10) and the device B (11). Therefore, the device B (11) immediately responds to the inquiry about the updated available communication protocol and operation mode. Bounce the message. (413, 509). If the process for reconnecting (inquiry and response to the applicable mode) is not started immediately after the connection, the process may be interrupted because a communication failure or physical proximity may have been released. I do.

  The device A (10) recognizes that the device B (11) has newly become capable of executing the terminal-to-terminal communication mode by receiving the message (413) regarding the compatible communication protocol and the operation mode (427). , 602). Device A (10) ends this processing because the opposing device supports a mode other than the card emulation mode. The device A (10) and the device B (11) reconnect in the terminal-to-terminal communication mode, shift to the control on the activation side of the normal proximity wireless (NFC) wireless connection, and perform communication processing according to the service to be performed.

That is, the device A (10) instructs to operate in the “inter-terminal communication function” operation mode for the purpose of executing an application service (NFC-Wi-Fi Handover or the like) executed in the inter-terminal communication operation mode. Send Then, the own device also sets the terminal-to-terminal communication operation mode (414). The device B (11) sets its own device to the “inter-terminal communication function” operation mode by receiving the message indicating the mode (415). Then, communication between Device A (10) and Device B (11) is started. As described above, according to the present embodiment, an LSI and an IC that can operate with power supplied from another device are provided. After communication by the coprocessor for card service, the main processor with higher power consumption is started only when requested by the partner device. Therefore, since the processor that operates with the power supplied by the own device is driven only when necessary, power consumption can be reduced. That is, communication is performed using the power supplied from the partner device, and the operation unit that supplies power and operates according to an instruction from the partner device is activated, so that power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, even when the operation mode corresponding to the desired service is not supported by the other device, the communication device (access to the memory) in the mode supported by the other device may request the other device. An operation mode corresponding to the service to be set can be started. In addition, since the start of the host processor is triggered when a specified memory access with the specified address is performed, a complicated operation such as packet analysis is required compared to a start instruction such as transmission / reception of a message requesting start. Power consumption can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the host processor is activated as a process in response to the detection of a predetermined memory access. However, each process may be performed in accordance with a plurality of different access patterns. For example, the access pattern may specify an operation of turning on the power of the apparatus. Further, for example, an access pattern for energizing and starting hardware other than the processor may be used. Also, the access pattern may be an access pattern for executing a program for executing an arbitrary application.

[Example 2]
In the first embodiment, only the operation of the proximity wireless LSI (21) and the IC card service coprocessor (23) with relatively low power consumption is performed, and the host processor (22) with higher power consumption operates. Notified that mode service needs to be started.

  In the second embodiment, the predetermined memory access information stored in the Wakeup pattern storage areas (215, 323) in Device A (10) and Device B (11), which are referred to in the first embodiment, The processing procedure for updating and adding will be described.

  The updating process is performed at the same time during communication with each other so as to prevent a mismatch in predetermined memory access information between the devices. Note that the updating process includes adding a predetermined memory access to the predetermined memory access information and a process corresponding thereto.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that Device A (10) and Device B (11) are communicating with each other in the terminal communication function. An application (222) operating on the host processor (22) during communication requests a device B (11) to update information. When Device A (11) agrees with the information update request from Device B (10), it starts Applications (322) for executing the update process.

  When the Applications (222) receives a response message from the partner device that agrees with the update process, the Applications (222) transmits the updated content to Device A (11). The application (322) that executes the update process of the device A (11) controls the close proximity wireless communication (NFC) communication control LSI (31) so as to execute the release process of the connection when the update content is received. When the connection between Device A (11) and Device B (11) is disconnected by the release control, the Applications (222, 322) update the storage information in the Wakeup pattern storage areas (215, 323), respectively.

  By this processing, the updating operation can be performed at the same time between the devices, so that the information on the predetermined memory access can be synchronized between the devices. Thereby, the risk of malfunction of the device (normal access is recognized as the predetermined memory access) due to the update work of the predetermined memory access information can be avoided.

[Other Examples]
The first and second embodiments support an example in which when a predetermined memory access is detected, the host processor is activated to support the terminal-to-terminal communication mode and reconnect to another device. However, there is a possibility that a memory access from another device accidentally matches a predetermined memory access. Therefore, the host processor (22) returns to the sleep state by detecting an event in which the access executed in the normal contactless IC card service matches a predetermined memory access, and notifying the fact. May be encouraged.

  For example, when a predetermined memory access is detected, a message relating to the service in the terminal-to-terminal communication mode is not received for a certain period of time after re-linking (401 to 413 in FIGS. Move to sleep mode. At this time, the updating of the second embodiment may be performed. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility of inadvertently activating the host processor due to access performed during the IC card service.

  With this configuration, an event that an access executed in the contactless IC card service coincides with a predetermined memory access is detected by chance, and the host processor is again shifted to the sleep mode. Power consumption is reduced.

  Further, in the embodiment, an example in which the near field communication (Near Field Communication defined by ISO / IEC 18092) which operates by the induced electromotive force from the opposite device is used as the interface of the near field communication (NFC) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to P2P proximity wireless communication media such as Transfer Jet and IrDA, which are proximity wireless communication interfaces in which the power required by the interface unit varies depending on the communication mode and protocol selected. It is.

  The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or the information processing apparatus executes the program. This is the process of reading and executing.

10 MFP
11 DSC

Claims (16)

A communication device,
In a state where the control unit that controls the communication device is not activated, a wireless communication unit capable of performing first wireless communication based on a first communication standard with another communication device,
Via the wireless communication means, transmitting means for transmitting a first signal including information based on whether or not the communication device can perform a predetermined function using the first wireless communication,
Whether or not to transmit a second signal selected based on the information by the other communication device, a second signal based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard with the other communication device receiving means for receiving et al or the other communication apparatus via the front Symbol wireless communication means in a state that can not perform the second wireless communication,
If specific information is included in the second signal received by the receiving unit, activate the control unit, and perform the second wireless communication between the communication device and the other communication device. Control to shift to an executable state,
The second signal received by said receiving means, said if a particular information was not included, migrate before Symbol communication apparatus to the second wireless communication possible execution state of the other communication devices Control means for controlling so as not to cause
A communication device comprising:   The state in which the second wireless communication with the other communication device can be executed is a state in which NFC (Near Field Communication) -Wi-Fi Handover with the other communication device can be executed. Item 2. The communication device according to item 1.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates with a battery built in the communication device.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a processor.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit is activated, the wireless communication unit is capable of performing two-way communication.   The said control means starts the said control part according to the start signal transmitted to the said control part via a signal line from the said wireless communication means, The said control part is characterized by the above-mentioned. Communication device.   A state in which, when the specific information includes a predetermined character string, the control unit activates the control unit and can execute the second wireless communication with the another communication device with the communication device; The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication is NFC (Near Field Communication) communication.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication is a Wi-Fi communication.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a camera. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second signal received by the receiving unit is a signal that the other communication device writes in a storage unit held by the communication device. The communication device as described.   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the control unit is not activated is a state in which power consumption of the control unit is reduced. The said 1st signal transmitted by the said transmission means contains the information which shows the operation mode which the said communication apparatus can perform in the said 1st wireless communication, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The communication device according to claim 1. 14. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not activate the control unit when the second signal received by the reception unit does not include the specific information. The communication device according to item. Wireless communication means for performing first wireless communication with another communication device in accordance with a first communication standard with power supplied from another communication device in a state in which a control unit for controlling the communication device is not activated. A method for controlling a communication device having
A transmitting step of transmitting, via the wireless communication unit, a first signal including information based on whether or not the communication device can perform a predetermined function using the first wireless communication to the other communication device; When,
Whether or not to transmit a second signal selected based on the information by the other communication device, a second signal based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard with the other communication device a reception step of receiving, et al or the other communication apparatus via the front Symbol wireless communication means in a state that can not perform the second wireless communication,
If the second signal received in the receiving step includes specific information, activates the control unit, and performs the second wireless communication between the communication device and the other communication device. Control to shift to an executable state,
The second signal received in the reception step, wherein if the specific information was not included, migrate before Symbol communication apparatus to the second wireless communication possible execution state of the other communication devices A control step of controlling not to cause
A control method comprising: Program for causing to function as each means of the communication apparatus according to any one of the computer claims 1 1 4.

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