A method for assisting a card reader to implement a card search, a card search method and an NFC tag

Abstract

The one or more embodiments of the specification provide a method for assisting a card reader to implement card searching, a card searching method and an NFC tag, the method comprising: performing signal detection in a preset detection range; in a case where a low-power card detection (LPCD) signal is detected, generating an excitation signal, the LPCD signal being emitted by a card reader device in a low-power card detection mode; and sending the excitation signal to switch the card reader device from the low-power card detection mode to a normal card searching mode.

Description

[0001] This is a divisional application. The parent application has the application number 2024101726103 and the application date is February 6, 2024. The invention title is "A method for assisting a card reader in finding a card, a card finding method and an NFC tag". Technical Field

[0002] This specification relates to one or more embodiments in the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a method for assisting a card reader in card finding, a card finding method, and an NFC tag. Background Technology

[0003] NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables convenient interaction and data transfer between two NFC devices or between an NFC device and an NFC tag.

[0004] In related technologies, mobile devices such as smartphones can act as NFC devices with card reader functions to read information from NFC tags. However, considering the battery life of mobile devices, LPCD (Low Power Card Detection) mode is usually used. When the mobile device is close to the NFC tag, it switches to the normal card-finding mode.

[0005] However, mobile devices in LPCD mode have a reduced sensing distance and lower sensing sensitivity to NFC tags, which prevents them from switching to normal card-finding mode. This significantly reduces the success rate of mobile devices sensing NFC tags and affects the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, one or more embodiments of this specification provide a method for assisting a card reader in card retrieval, a card retrieval method, and an NFC tag.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, one or more embodiments of this specification provide the following technical solutions:

[0008] According to a first aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, a method for assisting a card reader in card finding is provided, applied to an NFC tag, comprising:

[0009] Signal detection is performed within the preset detection range;

[0010] Upon detecting a low-power card detection LPCD signal, an excitation signal is generated, wherein the LPCD signal is emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode;

[0011] The excitation signal is sent to switch the card reader device from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode.

[0012] According to a second aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, a card finding method is provided, applied to a card reader device, comprising:

[0013] In low-power card detection mode, a low-power card detection LPCD signal is emitted;

[0014] Upon receiving an excitation signal, the system switches from the low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode. The excitation signal is emitted by the NFC tag upon detecting the LPCD signal.

[0015] According to a third aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, an NFC tag is provided, comprising:

[0016] An NFC coil is used to sense wireless signals within a preset detection range. The wireless signals include a Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) signal, which is emitted by the card reader device in Low Power Card Detection mode.

[0017] An NFC tag chip, connected to the NFC coil, is used to store the written tag data;

[0018] An excitation module, connected to the NFC coil, is used to generate an excitation signal and send it through the NFC coil when it is determined that the NFC coil has sensed the LPCD signal, so as to switch the card reader device from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, an electronic device is provided, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method described in the first or second aspect above.

[0022] In the technical solution provided in this specification, the NFC tag can detect signals within a preset detection range. Upon detecting an LPCD signal emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode, it generates an excitation signal to stimulate the card reader device to switch from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode. Applying this technical solution allows the NFC tag to automatically detect the LPCD signal and actively send an excitation signal, ensuring that the card reader device can exit low-power mode for normal card search. This significantly improves the success rate of mobile devices sensing NFC tags and enhances the user experience.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit the embodiments of this specification. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a near-field communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for assisting a card reader in card retrieval.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a card-finding method provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an NFC tag structure provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic block diagram of an excitation module structure provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram of a card-finding process provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 7(a) is a schematic diagram of the signal waveform during card searching provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7(b) is a schematic diagram of the signal waveform during card searching provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7(c) is a schematic diagram of the signal waveform during card searching provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device that assists a card reader in finding a card.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of a card finding device provided in an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with one or more embodiments of this specification. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of one or more embodiments of this specification as detailed in the appended claims.

[0037] It should be noted that the steps of the corresponding methods are not necessarily performed in the order shown and described in this specification in other embodiments. In some other embodiments, the methods may include more or fewer steps than described in this specification. Furthermore, a single step described in this specification may be broken down into multiple steps in other embodiments; and multiple steps described in this specification may be combined into a single step in other embodiments.

[0038] The user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this manual are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. The collection, use and processing of related data shall comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant countries and regions, and corresponding operation portals shall be provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0039] NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables near-field communication between two NFC devices and allows interaction between an NFC device and an NFC tag to transmit, write, and read data. Here, the NFC device should be an active device with reader functionality, i.e., an NFC reader, while the NFC tag is a passive device that does not actively emit any signals or data; it needs to receive stimuli from the active device to function. Therefore, NFC has two communication modes: active mode and passive mode. Active mode corresponds to the interaction between two NFC devices, where both the initiating and target devices are NFC devices, and both must actively generate a radio frequency field when sending data to each other. Passive mode corresponds to the interaction between an NFC device and an NFC tag, where the NFC device (NFC reader) acts as the initiating device, also known as the master device. The master device uses power from other power sources to provide the radio frequency field and sends signal data to the NFC tag, which is the target device, also known as the slave device. The slave device passively responds to the signals emitted by the master device without generating a radio frequency field.

[0040] In related technologies, mobile devices such as smartphones with NFC reader functionality can act as NFC devices in the passive mode described above. When they are near other NFC tags, a 13.56MHz radio frequency field is established between them as a near-field communication field, enabling data transmission and exchange. However, due to battery life issues faced by mobile devices, manufacturers of smartphones and other mobile devices aim for low-power operation of NFC functions. Accordingly, they implement a series of low-power restrictions and optimizations for the NFC reader function, such as using LPCD (Low Power Card Detection) mode. In LPCD mode, the mobile device shuts down the radio frequency field when there are no NFC tags nearby, only sending low-power detection signals to reduce power consumption. When the mobile device is near an NFC tag, it can detect the influence of the NFC tag on the detection signal, thus exiting LPCD mode and searching for NFC tags in normal mode.

[0041] However, mobile devices currently fail to achieve ideal results when using LPCD mode to sense NFC tags. Because the signal strength emitted by mobile devices in LPCD mode is weaker, the influence of the NFC tag on this signal is correspondingly reduced. This makes it impossible for the mobile device to determine the presence of an NFC tag based on the amplitude of the signal change, leading to incorrect judgments and an inability to switch to normal card-finding mode. Consequently, the success rate of NFC tag sensing by mobile devices decreases significantly, impacting the user experience.

[0042] To address the aforementioned issues, this specification proposes a method for assisting a card reader in card retrieval and an NFC tag. The NFC tag can detect signals within a preset detection range and, upon detecting an LPCD signal emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode, generates an excitation signal to stimulate the card reader device to switch from low-power card detection mode to normal card retrieval mode.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a near-field communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the system may include a mobile device 11 and several devices equipped with NFC tags, such as device 12, device 13, etc.

[0044] Mobile device 11 should be a type of electronic device with NFC reader functionality that can be used by a user, such as a mobile phone. In practice, users can obviously also use electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), wearable devices (such as smart glasses, smartwatches, etc.), etc., and one or more embodiments of this specification do not limit this. During operation, the mobile device can run an application program to implement the application's NFC-related functions. For example, when the mobile device runs a payment service application, it can sense payment data in the NFC tag to redirect to the payment page for the user to complete a quick payment.

[0045] It should be noted that payment service applications can be pre-installed on mobile devices, allowing the application to be launched and run on those devices; of course, when using online applications with technologies such as HTML5, it is not necessary to install the corresponding program on the mobile device to obtain and run the application.

[0046] Mobile device 11 and devices 12-13 equipped with NFC tags can communicate and transmit data between the devices via electromagnetic waves. Devices 12-13 can be any device equipped with an NFC tag, such as a payment terminal, payment bar, electronic door lock, and entry / exit turnstile. Of course, if the mobile device is equipped with an NFC tag, device 12-13 can also be the aforementioned mobile device; this specification does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for assisting a card reader in card retrieval, as provided in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, this method can be applied to NFC tags (e.g., it can be deployed on...). Figure 1 The device shown (12-13) may include the following steps:

[0048] S201, perform signal detection within the preset detection range.

[0049] In one embodiment, the NFC tag should detect all signals within a preset detection range, and the detected signals may include LPCD signals. The preset detection range should be the maximum range that the NFC tag's detection function can cover, and its specific value depends on various factors, including the transceiver's power, antenna gain, environmental conditions, etc.

[0050] S202, when a low-power card detection LPCD signal is detected, an excitation signal is generated, wherein the LPCD signal is emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode.

[0051] In one embodiment, the low-power card detection LPCD signal is emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode to sense the presence of an NFC tag in its vicinity. Since each signal has its own characteristics, such as differences in duration and amplitude variation trends, the NFC tag can determine whether an LPCD signal emitted by the card reader device exists within a preset detection range, and generate an excitation signal upon confirming the presence of an LPCD signal. The parameters required for generating the excitation signal can be set by technicians according to actual conditions, typically a signal in the frequency band around 13.56MHz, such as a signal between 12 and 15MHz; this specification does not impose any limitations on this.

[0052] S203, send the excitation signal to switch the card reader device from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode.

[0053] In one embodiment, the NFC tag emits the stimulus signal generated in the aforementioned embodiment, which triggers the card reader device to switch from the current low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode. Specifically, upon receiving the stimulus signal, the card reader device can also analyze the signal characteristics of the signal to determine whether it needs to exit LPCD mode. The normal card search mode should be a card search mode with higher power consumption than LPCD mode. In the normal card search mode, the card reader emits an activation signal for the NFC tag in anticipation of a response from the NFC tag. A response from the NFC tag indicates successful activation, after which data exchange can occur between the card reader and the NFC tag.

[0054] It should be noted that the timing of this excitation signal transmission does not need to be coordinated with the LPCD signal transmission cycle. The card reader device can receive the excitation signal at any time to achieve mode switching. The NFC tag can generate and send the excitation signal immediately after detecting the LPCD signal without any special delay. Of course, technicians can also set the transmission timing according to actual needs, and this manual does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0055] As can be seen from the above embodiments, by applying the technical solution of this specification, the NFC tag can detect the LPCD signal on its own and actively send an excitation signal to ensure that the card reader device can exit the low power mode to search for the card normally, which greatly improves the success rate of mobile devices sensing NFC tags and also enhances the user experience.

[0056] In one embodiment, in order to ensure that the initiated excitation signal can achieve the expected goal, that is, the excitation signal can stimulate the card reader device to switch modes smoothly, the NFC tag can further determine whether the LPCD signal meets the conditions for the NFC tag to send an excitation signal when it detects the low power card detection LPCD signal.

[0057] Specifically, the NFC tag can acquire the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal. Similar to the characteristics of each signal mentioned earlier, different card reader devices emit LPCD signals that differ. These signal characteristics can include signal interval period, signal strength, and signal duration, among other things. For example, with different signal interval times, device A might emit an LPCD signal every 200 milliseconds, while device B might emit one every 800 milliseconds. With different signal strengths, the amplitude of the LPCD signal emitted by device A might be -20dBm, while the amplitude of the LPCD signal emitted by device B might be -30dBm. With different signal transmission strategies, the difference lies in whether the device performs a normal-power card search after emitting several LPCD signals. For instance, device A might only emit LPCD signals in LPCD mode, while device B might emit a normal-power activation signal after every four LPCD signals, followed by another four LPCD signals, and so on. It should be noted that when acquiring signal features, NFC tags can acquire one or more of the above features in all possible combinations. This specification does not limit the type and number of signal features acquired.

[0058] In this embodiment, card reader devices can be divided into two categories: The first type of card reader device can smoothly switch from LPCD mode to normal card search mode upon receiving an excitation signal; the second type of card reader device, upon receiving an excitation signal, may have its pre-installed simulated NFC tag activated by the excitation signal. For example, some types of mobile phones may respond to the excitation signal and activate their NFC transit cards, NFC access cards, etc., preventing mode switching. In this embodiment, the second type of device is considered the target type. That is, the target type of device, when in the low-power card detection mode, has the risk of having its pre-installed simulated NFC tag activated upon receiving an excitation signal. Since the LPCD signals emitted by different card reader devices differ, and this difference can be reflected through the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal, obtaining the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal allows determination of whether the card reader device emitting the LPCD signal is the target type. Then, if the card reader device is not the target type, generating an excitation signal ensures that the initiated excitation signal can stimulate the card reader device to smoothly switch modes and achieve the expected goal.

[0059] In one embodiment, when the NFC tag detects a Low Power Card (LPCD) detection signal, it can first determine whether there is an induction signal in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag. If no induction signal is found, then an excitation signal is generated. This means that if a connection has already been established and data exchange is occurring between the NFC tag and the reader device, the reader device does not need to switch modes again, and the NFC tag does not need to send an excitation signal. Therefore, by determining whether an induction signal exists in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag, it can be determined whether the NFC tag has established a connection with the reader device. Sending an excitation signal when there is no induction signal in the NFC coil, i.e., when the NFC tag has not yet established a connection with the reader device, can effectively optimize the power consumption of the NFC tag. For example, when the NFC tag is equipped with a mobile device, it can extend the battery life of the mobile device.

[0060] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a card-finding method as provided in an exemplary embodiment. For example... Figure 3 As shown, this method can be applied to card reader devices (e.g., it can be deployed in...). Figure 1 On the mobile device 11 shown, the following steps may be included:

[0061] S301, in low power card detection mode, sends a low power card detection LPCD signal;

[0062] S302, upon receiving an excitation signal, the system switches from the low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode. The excitation signal is emitted by the NFC tag upon detecting the LPCD signal.

[0063] In one embodiment, the card reader device has multiple card search modes. In low-power card detection mode, it emits a low-power card detection LPCD signal. When the card reader device receives an excitation signal emitted by the NFC tag upon detecting the LPCD signal, it can switch from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode. Related content can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 1 The relevant descriptions in the NFC tag-side embodiment shown.

[0064] As can be seen from the above embodiments, by applying the technical solution of this specification, the card reader device, when in low power mode, can respond to the excitation signal actively emitted by the NFC tag, exit the low power mode and perform normal card searching, which greatly improves the success rate of mobile devices sensing NFC tags and enhances the user experience.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an NFC tag structure provided in an exemplary embodiment, including an NFC coil 41, an NFC tag chip 42, an analog-to-digital converter 43, and an excitation module 44.

[0066] In one embodiment, the NFC coil 41 is used to sense wireless signals within a preset detection range. The wireless signal can be of various types, including a Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) signal, which is emitted by the card reader device in Low Power Card Detection mode; details can be found in the aforementioned method embodiments. The NFC tag chip 42 is connected to the NFC coil 41 and is used to store the written tag data. Here, the NFC tag chip should be a slave device chip, capable of responding to signals emitted by the master device (card reader device) without actively emitting any signals or data. The analog-to-digital converter 43 is connected to the NFC coil 41 and is used to convert the analog signal sensed by the NFC coil into a digital signal. The specific methods of the NFC coil sensing the wireless signal, the NFC tag chip storing the tag data, and the analog-to-digital converter performing the signal conversion can be found in related art descriptions, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] In one embodiment, the excitation module 44 is connected to the NFC coil 41 and the analog-to-digital converter 43 respectively, and is used to generate an excitation signal when the digital signal is determined to be an LPCD signal, and to emit the excitation signal through the NFC coil 41 so that the card reader device switches from the low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode.

[0068] In one embodiment, the excitation module can be implemented using an NFC reader chip. Unlike the aforementioned NFC tag chip, the NFC reader chip, as the master device chip, can generate a radio frequency field and actively emit wireless signals, not just respond to signals. Implementing the excitation module using an NFC reader chip eliminates the need for additional hardware development, significantly reducing implementation difficulty and development costs.

[0069] In another embodiment, the excitation module can be implemented by building a hardware circuit. See [link to specific implementation details]. Figure 5 The excitation module includes a controller 51 and a signal generation circuit 52. The controller 51 and... Figure 4 The signal generation circuit 52 is connected to the analog-to-digital converter 43 in the NFC coil 41. It acquires and identifies the digital signal output by the NFC coil 43, and, upon determining that the digital signal is the LPCD signal, issues a signal generation command. The signal generation command instructs the signal generation circuit 52 to generate the signal. This command may include signal generation parameters, such as the duration and magnitude of the signal. The signal generation circuit 52 can generate a suitable signal based on these parameters to ensure that the generated signal achieves the expected effect after being emitted. The signal generation circuit 52 is connected to both the controller 51 and the NFC coil 41. Upon receiving the signal generation command from the controller 51, it generates the signal and emits it through the NFC coil 41. This embodiment provides another way to implement the excitation module 44. Because it is implemented by building additional hardware circuitry, technicians can more easily adjust the detailed functions without being limited to the pre-packaged NFC reader chip, offering greater flexibility and adaptability.

[0070] In one embodiment, the controller 51 can further be used to determine the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal, and if it is determined based on the signal characteristics that the card reader device emitting the LPCD signal does not belong to the target type, then it sends a command to the signal generation circuit 52 to generate the excitation signal. In another embodiment, the controller 51 can further be used to determine whether there is a sensing signal in the NFC coil 41 corresponding to the NFC tag, and if there is no sensing signal, then it sends a command to the signal generation circuit 52 to generate the excitation signal. Related content can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 1 The relevant descriptions in the NFC tag-side embodiment shown.

[0071] The following will combine Figure 6 The timing diagram for card searching shown in Figure 7(a), Figure 7(b), and Figure 7(c) provides an overall description of the flow of the technical solution in this specification.

[0072] By default, the NFC tag is in its initial state, while the card reader is in low-power card detection mode, continuously sending low-power card detection (LPCD) signals. If the card reader approaches the NFC tag, it should sense the presence of the tag and automatically switch from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode. As shown in Figure 7(a), the card reader performs normal card search and reading after the second LPCD cycle.

[0073] However, in Low Power Card Detection mode, the reader device may fail to detect the presence of an NFC tag in the vicinity, and therefore will continue to send Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) signals. As shown in Figure 7(b), no successful detection occurs within several consecutive LPCD cycles.

[0074] In this case, the NFC tag performs step 601 to detect the signal within the preset detection range; if the NFC tag detects the LPCD signal, it can continue to perform step 602 to determine whether the conditions for sending the excitation signal are met.

[0075] Specifically, step 602 includes steps 6021 and 6022. Step 6021 can be executed first to obtain the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal and determine whether the LPCD signal is emitted by a device that does not belong to the target type. If it is determined that the LPCD signal is emitted by a device that does not belong to the target type, then step 6022 or step 603 can be executed. Alternatively, step 6022 can be executed first to determine whether there is a sensing signal in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag, and if there is no sensing signal, then step 6021 or step 603 can be executed.

[0076] It should be noted that step 602 and its included steps 6021 and 6022 are optional steps, and technicians can choose whether to perform these steps according to the actual situation.

[0077] Subsequently, the NFC tag executes step 603 to generate an excitation signal, and then continues to execute step 604 to emit the excitation signal. The excitation signal emitted by the NFC tag is received by the card reader device, and in response to the excitation signal, it executes step 605 to switch its low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode. As shown in Figure 7(c), the card reader device failed to detect the card in the first LPCD cycle, but the NFC tag actively sent an excitation signal. Afterward, the card reader device performed normal card search and reading. When the card reader device searches for a card in normal card search mode, the NFC tag will emit a corresponding card search response. After receiving the card search response, the card reader device can establish a communication connection with the NFC tag and perform data interaction.

[0078] Figure 8This is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an exemplary embodiment. Please refer to... Figure 8 At the hardware level, the device includes a processor 802, an internal bus 804, a network interface 806, memory 808, and non-volatile memory 810, and may also include other hardware required for its functions. One or more embodiments of this specification can be implemented in software, for example, the processor 802 reads the corresponding computer program from the non-volatile memory 810 into memory 808 and then runs it. Of course, besides software implementation, one or more embodiments of this specification do not exclude other implementation methods, such as logic devices or a combination of hardware and software, etc. That is to say, the execution entity of the following processing flow is not limited to individual logic units, but can also be hardware or logic devices.

[0079] refer to Figure 9 Devices that assist card readers in finding cards can be applied to, for example... Figure 8 The device shown implements the technical solution of this specification. The device assisting the card reader in finding cards is applied to an NFC tag and may include a signal detection unit 91, an excitation signal generation unit 92, and an excitation signal transmission unit 93, wherein:

[0080] Signal detection unit 91 is used to detect signals within a preset detection range;

[0081] The excitation signal generation unit 92 is used to generate an excitation signal when a low-power card detection LPCD signal is detected, wherein the LPCD signal is emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode;

[0082] The excitation signal transmitting unit 93 is used to transmit the excitation signal to switch the card reader device from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode.

[0083] Optionally, the excitation signal generation unit 92 is specifically used for:

[0084] Obtain the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal;

[0085] If, based on the signal characteristics, it is determined that the card reader device emitting the LPCD signal does not belong to the target type of device, the excitation signal is generated; wherein, the target type of device, when in the low-power card detection mode, is at risk of waking up a preset simulated NFC tag upon receiving the excitation signal.

[0086] Optionally, the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal include at least one of the following: signal interval period, signal magnitude, and signal duration.

[0087] Optionally, the excitation signal generation unit 92 is specifically used for:

[0088] Determine whether there is a sensing signal in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag;

[0089] The excitation signal is generated in the absence of the sensing signal.

[0090] refer to Figure 10 Card finding devices can be applied to, for example Figure 8 The device shown implements the technical solution of this specification. The card finding device is applied to a card reader device and may include a signal transmitting unit 101 and a mode switching unit 102, wherein:

[0091] The signal transmitting unit 101 is used to transmit a low-power card detection LPCD signal in low-power card detection mode;

[0092] The mode switching unit 102 is used to switch from the low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode when a stimulus signal is received. The stimulus signal is emitted by the NFC tag when the LPCD signal is detected.

[0093] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without creative effort.

[0094] Accordingly, this specification also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0095] Accordingly, embodiments of this specification also provide a computer program product configured to perform the methods described in any of the above embodiments.

[0096] The systems, devices, modules, or units described in the above embodiments can be implemented by computer chips or entities, or by products with certain functions. A typical implementation device is a computer, which can take the form of a personal computer, laptop computer, cellular phone, camera phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, media player, navigation device, email sending and receiving device, game console, tablet computer, wearable device, or any combination of these devices.

[0097] In a typical configuration, a computer includes one or more processors (CPU), input / output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

[0098] Memory may include non-persistent storage in computer-readable media, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) or flash RAM. Memory is an example of computer-readable media.

[0099] Computer-readable media, including both permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media, can store information using any method or technology. Information can be computer-readable instructions, data structures, modules of programs, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase-change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile optical disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic tape, disk storage, quantum memory, graphene-based storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transferable medium that can be used to store information accessible by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable media does not include transient computer-readable media, such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0100] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0101] The foregoing has described specific embodiments of this specification. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and may still achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired result. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are possible or may be advantageous.

[0102] The terminology used in one or more embodiments of this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification. The singular forms “a,” “described,” and “the” used in one or more embodiments of this specification and in the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0103] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used to describe various information in one or more embodiments of this specification, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "in response to a determination," or "when," or "in the event of a determination."

[0104] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of one or more embodiments of this specification and is not intended to limit the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of one or more embodiments of this specification should be included within the protection scope of one or more embodiments of this specification.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a card reader in card retrieval, characterized in that, Applied to NFC tags, including: Signal detection is performed within the preset detection range; When a low-power card detection LPCD signal is detected, an excitation signal is generated based on preset generation parameters of the excitation signal; wherein, the LPCD signal is emitted by the card reader device in low-power card detection mode to sense whether the NFC tag is present around the card reader device; The excitation signal is sent so that the card reader device switches from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode when it determines that the signal is the excitation signal based on the signal characteristics of the signal it received.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of generating an excitation signal upon detecting a low-power card detection LPCD signal includes: Obtain the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal; If, based on the signal characteristics, it is determined that the card reader device emitting the LPCD signal does not belong to the target type of device, the excitation signal is generated; wherein, the target type of device, when in the low-power card detection mode, is at risk of waking up a preset simulated NFC tag upon receiving the excitation signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The signal characteristics of the LPCD signal include at least one of the following: signal interval period, signal magnitude, and signal duration.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of generating an excitation signal upon detecting a low-power card detection LPCD signal includes: Determine whether there is a sensing signal in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag; The excitation signal is generated in the absence of the sensing signal.

5. A card-finding method, characterized in that, Used in card reader devices, including: In low-power card detection mode, a low-power card detection LPCD signal is emitted to sense whether there is an NFC tag around the card reader device; Upon receiving an excitation signal, and upon determining that the signal is the excitation signal based on the signal characteristics of the received signal, the system switches from the low-power card detection mode to the normal card search mode; wherein, the excitation signal is generated based on preset generation parameters of the excitation signal and is emitted by the NFC tag upon detecting the LPCD signal.

6. An NFC tag, characterized in that, include: An NFC coil is used to sense wireless signals within a preset detection range. The wireless signals include a Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) signal, which is emitted by the card reader device in Low Power Card Detection mode to sense whether the NFC tag is present around the card reader device. An NFC tag chip, connected to the NFC coil, is used to store the written tag data; An analog-to-digital converter, connected to the NFC coil, is used to convert the analog signals sensed by the NFC coil into digital signals; An excitation module, connected to the analog-to-digital converter and the NFC coil respectively, is used to generate an excitation signal based on preset generation parameters of the excitation signal and emit it through the NFC coil when the digital signal is determined to be the LPCD signal, so that the card reader device can switch from low-power card detection mode to normal card search mode when it determines that the signal is the excitation signal based on the signal characteristics of the signal it receives.

7. The NFC tag according to claim 6, characterized in that, The excitation module includes an NFC reader chip.

8. The NFC tag according to claim 6, characterized in that, The excitation module further includes: A controller, connected to the analog-to-digital converter, is used to acquire and identify the digital signal, and, if the digital signal is determined to be the LPCD signal, to issue a command to generate an excitation signal; A signal generation circuit, connected to the controller and the NFC coil respectively, is used to generate the excitation signal upon receiving the generation instruction and to emit the excitation signal through the NFC coil.

9. The NFC tag according to claim 8, characterized in that, The controller is also used for: Determine the signal characteristics of the LPCD signal; If, based on the signal characteristics, it is determined that the card reader device emitting the LPCD signal does not belong to the target type of device, an instruction to generate the excitation signal is issued; wherein, the target type of device, when in the low-power card detection mode, is at risk of waking up a preset simulated NFC tag upon receiving the excitation signal.

10. The NFC tag according to claim 8, characterized in that, The controller is also used for: Determine whether there is a sensing signal in the NFC coil corresponding to the NFC tag; In the absence of the sensing signal, a command to generate the excitation signal is issued.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: processor; Memory used to store processor-executable instructions; The processor implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-5 by executing the executable instructions.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions thereon, characterized in that, When executed by the processor, this instruction implements the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the method of any one of claims 1-5.

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