Device, control method for device, and program

Abstract

To provide technology that makes it possible to perform appropriate processing when a device reads information from an NFC tag of a compatible product.SOLUTION: A device 101 is usable in combination with a compatible product 201. The device detects that the device is combined with the compatible product, detects a near field communication (NFC) tag in the compatible product, and reads one or more pieces of tag information from the detected NFC tag. The device then executes processing by switching a processing method related to the read one or more pieces of tag information depending on whether a predetermined condition is satisfied or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology of a device that can be used in combination with a corresponding product having a tag used for short - range wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] As a standard for short - range wireless communication, the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard is known. In the NFC standard, polling is defined as transmitting a message for detecting a communication partner device by transmitting a carrier wave and modulating the carrier wave. Polling is transmitted by a device having a function of an NFC standard reader / writer. Also, a device having a function of receiving the polling transmitted by the reader / writer and applying load modulation to the carrier wave transmitted by the reader / writer to respond to this polling is called an NFC tag. Information exchanged in the NFC standard follows a data format called NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format). It is also possible to set a plurality of NDEF information in a single tag, and a reading device can read a plurality of NDEF information set in the NFC tag from the NFC tag in one NFC communication. What to do with the read NDEF information is left to the device.

[0003] In recent years, technologies using NFC for item authentication have become widespread. In particular, authentication technologies using NFC have been developed to confirm whether accessories, parts, etc. attached to or used in combination with a device are compatible with that device.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to the structure of a mobile phone equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. Specifically, an antenna of a reader / writer based on the RFID standard is provided on the battery pack cover of the mobile phone body. And a circuit board of the reader / writer disposed inside the mobile phone body reads an ID for determining the authenticity (whether it is a genuine product or not) of the battery pack from an RFID tag attached to the battery pack.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When a compatible product such as an accessory that can be used in combination with a device has an NFC tag, it is desired that the device not only reads the information held by the NFC tag but also executes appropriate processing on the NFC tag according to the situation.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a technology capable of performing appropriate processing when information is read from an NFC tag of a compatible product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a device that can be used in combination with a compatible product. The device includes a detection means for detecting that the device and the compatible product are combined, a reading means for detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag of the compatible product and reading one or more tag information from the detected NFC tag, and a processing means for switching a processing method for the read one or more tag information and executing processing according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. [Effect of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, when the device reads information from the NFC tag of the corresponding product, appropriate processing can be performed. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that not all of the plurality of features in the following embodiments are essential, and a plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. By attaching the same reference numerals to the same or similar configurations in the drawings, duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0012] <First Embodiment> [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the system in the present embodiment. The system of the present embodiment includes a device 101 and a corresponding product 201 of the device 101. The device 101 is equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) function and operates in, for example, card emulation mode using this function, enabling electronic money settlement and the like. In addition, the device 101 is equipped with an NFC function that can perform NFC communication by operating in reader / writer mode to read the NFC tag 202. The device 101 incorporates an NFC antenna 102 for performing NFC communication, and the NFC antenna 102 is disposed in the vicinity of the surface along the surface of the housing of the device 101. When the NFC tag 202 approaches the vicinity of the surface in which the NFC antenna 102 of the device 101 is incorporated, the device 101 can communicate with the NFC tag 202 by operating in reader / writer mode. The device 101 also incorporates a sensor 103 provided for detecting that the corresponding product 201 is combined with the device 101.

[0013] That the corresponding product is combined with the device typically means that the corresponding product is attached (mounted) to the device. However, it is not limited to this, and as long as one or more functions or effects are generated by, for example, the device and the corresponding product being used simultaneously without the device and the corresponding product physically contacting each other, anything is acceptable. The "effects" may include human sensory effects such as visual and auditory effects. In each of the following embodiments, as a typical example of the corresponding product being combined with the device, the case where the corresponding product is attached to the device is taken as an example.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the corresponding product 201. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the corresponding product 201 is equipped with an NFC tag 202. The NFC tag 202 operates without a battery and is an example of a device that realizes short-range wireless communication. More specific examples include NFC / RFID tags capable of NFC communication and NFC communication devices operating in card emulation mode. When the corresponding product 201 is an NFC communication device operating in card emulation mode, it may be equipped with a control unit that controls communication and the entire corresponding product 201. The corresponding product 201 has a detected part 203. When the corresponding product 201 is attached to or combined with the device 101, the device 101 uses the sensor 103 to detect the detected part 203, thereby detecting that the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101. It is an example of a detection means for detecting that the device 101 and the corresponding product 201 are combined.

[0015] Note that hereinafter, a smartphone will be used as an example of the device 101, and a cover or case of the device 101 will be used as an example of the corresponding product 201 of the device 101 for explanation, but it is not limited thereto. The device 101 may be, for example, a camera, a tablet PC, a laptop, an automobile, a robot, a medical device, a printer, etc. The corresponding product 201 is a corresponding product of the device 101 listed above, and may be, for example, a battery, a camera, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a laptop, an automobile, a robot, a medical device, a printer, a gimbal, attachment devices, etc. Also hereinafter, a magnet will be used as an example of the detected part 203 of the corresponding product 201, and a magnetic sensor will be used as an example of the sensor 103 of the device 101 for explanation, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor 103 may be an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a thermal sensor, etc.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system in a state where the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101. The corresponding product 201 has a shape that covers the housing of the device 101 and is attached to the device 101. At this time, the NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 is arranged so as to overlap the area of the NFC antenna 102 of the device 101. Thereby, the device 101 can communicate with the NFC tag 202 by operating in the reader / writer mode. Further, the detected part 203 of the corresponding product 201 is arranged in the vicinity of the sensor 103 of the device 101. Thereby, the device 101 detects the detected part 203 using the sensor 103, and detects that the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101. The fact that the combination of the device 101 and the corresponding product 201 is detected by the sensor 103 is an example of the first condition.

[0017] [Configuration of Device and Corresponding Product] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the device 101. The device 101 is composed of an NFC antenna 102, a sensor 103, a communication unit 304, a control unit 305, a memory 306, a notification unit 307, and an operation unit 308.

[0018] The communication unit 304 and the NFC antenna 102 connected thereto are hardware modules that realize the NFC function. Specifically, it realizes a card emulation mode that substitutes for the role of a contactless IC card, a reader / writer mode for reading the NFC tag 202, and a P2P mode for directly exchanging messages between NFCs. For example, using the card emulation mode, electronic money settlement and the like become possible. Mainly, the communication unit 304 and the control unit 305 are an example of reading means for detecting an NFC tag and reading one or more tag information from the detected NFC tag.

[0019] The sensor 103 is, for example, a magnetic sensor, and detects that the corresponding product 201 is combined with the device 101 by detecting the detected part 203 that is a magnet.

[0020] The control unit 305 controls the entire device 101. The control unit 305 performs control by executing, for example, a control program stored in the memory 306. Also, the control unit 305 causes the memory 306 to store information that should be stored during the execution of various processes. The control unit 305 includes one or more processors such as, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-processing Unit). The control unit 305 may include a memory different from the memory 306 that stores the control program, and the information that should be stored during the execution of various processes may be stored in the different memory. Note that the control unit 305 may be configured by hardware dedicated to specific processing such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Also, the control unit 305 may include an array circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) compiled to execute predetermined processing.

[0021] Note that in this embodiment, the control unit 305 is shown as one component, but is not limited thereto. For example, an NFC control unit that controls processing related to NFC communication may be configured separately from the control unit 305. In the case where the control unit 305 is separated into a plurality, each control unit is connected to each other by a communication interface and can perform data communication. In this case, the communication interface may be any interface that realizes data communication such as I2C or GPIO specifically.

[0022] The memory 306 stores various information such as identification information and device configuration information, and control programs. Note that the memory 306 may store information obtained by a functional unit different from the control unit 305.

[0023] The notification unit 307 notifies the user of information by any method such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The notification unit 307 notifies the user of the state of the device 101, for example. The notification unit 307 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, an LED, a speaker, a vibration generation circuit, and / or other notification devices.

[0024] The operation unit 308 has a reception function for receiving an operation on the device 101 from the user. The operation unit 308 includes, for example, buttons, a keyboard, a voice input device, a motion detection device, and / or other input devices. Examples of the voice input device include a microphone. Examples of the motion detection device include an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0025] Note that a device in which the notification unit 307 and the operation unit 308 are integrated, such as a touch panel, may be used.

[0026] [Processing of the Device] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing by the device 101. This processing can be realized, for example, by the control unit 305 of the device 101 executing a program read from the memory 306. Note that at least a part of the following procedures may be realized by hardware. In this case, the hardware can be realized, for example, by automatically generating a dedicated circuit using a gate array circuit such as an FPGA from a program for realizing each processing step using a predetermined compiler.

[0027] Primarily, the control unit 305 and the program for processing are an example of processing means that switches the processing method for one or more pieces of tag information read from the NFC tag 202 and executes the processing according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0028] The processing related to the tag information means, for example, the following processing [1] to [3] performed by the device 101. [1] Confirmation processing of the presence or absence of tag information [2] Processing based on the content of the tag information [3] Transmission processing using tag information (described after the second embodiment) The processing method means which of the processes (one or more) among [1], [2], and [3] are to be executed (or not), and which tag data (one or more) among the plurality of tag data for [2] the process is to be performed on. Further, the processing method may include the meaning of in what order the three of [1], [2], and [3] are to be processed. As will be described after the second embodiment, the transmission processing of [3] includes various setting processes for power transmission that are performed before actually transmitting power from the power transmission device.

[0029] In S501, the device 101 starts processing of a periodic NFC tag detection / authentication flow. The periodic NFC tag detection / authentication flow starts at any one of the following three timings, for example. (a) The timing when the user performs a predetermined operation via the operation unit 308 of the device 101 (b) The timing when the power of the device 101 is turned on (c) The timing when the sensor 103 detects that the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101 The "predetermined operation" in (a) is an operation for executing the NFC tag detection / authentication flow or another operation.

[0030] In S502, the device 101 executes the NFC tag detection / authentication flow. When the device 101 detects the NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 and there is authentication information in the NDEF information (tag information) of the NFC tag 202, it executes authentication processing according to the conditions described later.

[0031] In S503, the device 101 executes an action according to the authentication state of the corresponding product. The action is, for example, performing a specific process in an application of the device (for example, a smartphone) 101 when the corresponding product 201 has successfully authenticated.

[0032] Another example will be described as the above action. For example, assume that device 101 is a camera and corresponding item 201 is its battery. The NFC tag 202 of the battery contains information regarding the power supply specification, which is detected by the camera by executing an NFC tag detection / authentication flow. Assume that the camera authenticates the battery if the power supply specification of the battery matches that of the camera. At this time, if the battery fails to be authenticated, the camera displays a message on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the camera indicating that the battery does not meet the specification and stops operating. Thereby, heat generation of the battery and failure of the camera can be prevented.

[0033] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing details of the processing of the NFC tag detection / authentication flow (S502) in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the NFC tag detection processing (mainly S601 to S603) in FIG. 6.

[0034] In FIG. 6, first, at S601, device 101 executes NFC tag detection processing. As shown in FIG. 8, at S701, after the start of the processing, device 101 sets the type of the NFC tag to be detected. There are a plurality of NFC tags classified by type, such as Type-A / Type-B / Type-F, and the type of the NFC tag that has not been detected yet is set. At S702, device 101 executes detection of the NFC tag. This can be executed by a reader / writer function compliant with the NFC standard. Specifically, device 101 transmits a message for detecting the set type of NFC tag by transmitting a carrier wave and modulating the carrier wave. When the NFC tag receives the message of device 101, it applies load modulation to the transmitted carrier wave and responds to this message. Thereby, device 101 detects NFC tag 202.

[0035] At S703, device 101 determines whether the detection of NFC tag 202 was successful. If device 101 determines that the detection of NFC tag 202 was successful (YES at S703), at S704, it retains the NDEF information read from NFC tag 202. On the other hand, if device 101 determines that the NFC tag detection failed (NO at S703), it ends the process. When retaining the NDEF information at S704, device 101 manages the information for each NFC tag for which detection was performed.

[0036] At S705, device 101 determines whether detection processing has been performed for all types (Type-A / Type-B / Type-F) of NFC tags. If device 101 determines that detection for all types has been performed (YES at S705), it ends the process. On the other hand, if device 101 determines that detection for all types has not been performed (NO at S705), it returns to S701 and performs NFC tag detection processing for the next type.

[0037] The above is the NFC tag detection process (mainly S601 - S603) executed in FIG. 6. By performing detection processing for all NFC tag types, even when multiple NFC tags are present in the vicinity of device 101, the situation can be appropriately grasped. For example, if two NFC tags exist and they are different types of NFC tags, NDEF information can be read from all tags.

[0038] Returning to the explanation of the flowchart in FIG. 6. At S602, device 101 determines whether it detected an NFC tag in the NFC tag detection process of S601. If no NFC tag was detected (No at S602), the process ends. If device 101 detected an NFC tag (Yes at S602), at S603 it determines whether the reading of the NFC tag was successful. If the reading of the NFC tag was not successful (No at S603), the process ends. If the reading of the NFC tag was successful (Yes at S603), device 101 retains the NDEF information of all NFC tags for which reading was successful in the memory.

[0039] In S604, the device 101 checks all the NDEF information detected from one NFC tag for which processing has not yet been executed. Checking the NDEF information means analyzing the NDEF information 801 to 803 shown in FIG. 9. The NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 is assumed to be an NFC tag implemented by the provider of the corresponding product 201, and as an example, it has three pieces of NDEF information.

[0040] The NDEF information 801 is information regarding the corresponding product 201. Information such as device type information (e.g., information indicating that the type of the corresponding product 201 is a cover), manufacturer information, and serial number is assumed. The NDEF information 802 is information regarding the authentication of the corresponding product 201 (authentication information for authenticating the corresponding product 201), and for example, an authentication key is assumed. The NDEF information 803 is information that permits power transmission for the NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 (information indicating permission of power transmission), and the version of wireless power transmission, information regarding whether power transmission is permitted, and an allowable power value (e.g., 8W) are assumed. Here, the "power transmission" mainly refers to power transmission for wireless charging of the smartphone (device 101) in this embodiment. "Permitting power transmission" means, for example, permitting power transmission as long as the power does not damage the NFC tag 202. The NDEF information is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9, and various information can be set according to the use of the provider of the corresponding product 201.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, in S605, the device 101 determines whether there is authentication information for the corresponding product 201 (NDEF information 802 in FIG. 9) among the NDEF information confirmed in S604. If there is no authentication information for the corresponding product 201 (No in S605), the device 101 does not perform the authentication process and proceeds to S612. If there is authentication information for the corresponding product 201 (Yes in S605), in S606, the device 101 determines, by means of the sensor 103, whether the corresponding product 201 is detected as being attached to the device 101.

[0042] If attachment is not detected (No in S606), in S607, device 101 transitions to the state of unauthenticated corresponding product, and stores in the memory that the corresponding product 201 is in the unauthenticated state. Then, it proceeds to S612. The state of unauthenticated corresponding product means that the authentication of the corresponding product 201 has not been successful.

[0043] Also, if attachment is not detected (No in S606), even if the corresponding product 201 is already in the authenticated state, device 101 cancels the authentication. That is, the state of the corresponding product 201 transitions to the state of unauthenticated corresponding product (S607). Whether the corresponding product 201 is in the authenticated state can be determined by performing the processes of S609 to S611 as described later. That is, if the corresponding product 201 was previously attached to device 101 and the authentication process of the corresponding product 201 was executed and the authentication was successful, since it is stored in the memory that the corresponding product is in the authenticated state, the device can determine that the corresponding product 201 is in the authenticated state.

[0044] If it is detected that the corresponding product 201 is attached to device 101 (Yes in S606), in S608, device 101 determines whether it is already in the state of authenticated corresponding product. The state of authenticated corresponding product means that the authentication of the corresponding product 201 has been successful. The state of authenticated corresponding product is an example of the second condition. If it is in the state of authenticated corresponding product (Yes in S608), device 101 does not perform the authentication process and proceeds to S612.

[0045] If it is not in the state where the corresponding product has been authenticated (No in S608), in S609, the device 101 executes the authentication process for the corresponding product 201. The device 101 performs authentication by processing at least the authentication information (NDEF information 802 (authentication key)) among the NDEF information of the NFC tag of the corresponding product 201 in the device 101, and holds the result of the authentication process. In S610, the device 101 determines whether the authentication process for the corresponding product has been successful. If the authentication process for the corresponding product is successful (Yes in S610), in S611, the device 101 transitions to the state where the corresponding product has been authenticated, holds in the memory that it is in the state where the corresponding product has been authenticated, and proceeds to S612. If the authentication process for the corresponding product is not successful (No in S610), the device 101 proceeds to S612 without transitioning to the authenticated state.

[0046] As described above, once the corresponding product 201 has successfully authenticated, and then for example when the corresponding product 201 is removed from the device 101, the state of the corresponding product 201 can be returned to the state where the corresponding product is not authenticated. Therefore, when the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101 again later, an appropriate authentication process can be executed again.

[0047] In S612, the device 101 determines whether there is NDEF information other than the authentication information in the NFC tag being processed. If there is no NDEF information other than the authentication information (No in S612), it proceeds to S614. If there is NDEF information other than the authentication information (Yes in S612), in S613, the device 101 executes processing for the first NDEF information other than the authentication information. Taking the NDEF information in FIG. 8 as an example, it corresponds to processing the NDEF information 801, and it is assumed that the device 101 reads the device type information, manufacturer information, and serial number of the corresponding product 201. Then, the processing of the device 101 proceeds to S614. Note that in the NFC tag, the NDEF information is read in order from the left side of FIG. 9. That is, the NDEF information 801 is read first. Alternatively, when the NDEF information is stored in the NFC tag, it may be assumed that it is stored in association with an ID or number for identifying the NDEF information. In this case, the device 101 may read the NDEF information in the order of the ID or number.

[0048] At S614, device 101 determines whether it has detected an NFC tag other than the NFC tag processed at S604. If it has detected an NFC tag other than the processed NFC tag (Yes at S614), device 101 returns to S604 and executes the subsequent processing again for another one NFC tag other than the processed NFC tag. If device 101 has not detected an NFC tag other than the processed NFC tag (No at S614), it ends the processing.

[0049] [Processing of the Whole System] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the whole system when executing the above-described processing.

[0050] At F901, device 101 starts a periodic NFC tag detection / verification flow. Although not shown, device 101 periodically executes the NFC tag detection / verification flow at a predetermined time interval. In this example, it is assumed that after starting the periodic NFC tag detection / verification flow, the corresponding product 201 is attached to device 101 (F902).

[0051] At F903, device 101 executes the NFC tag detection / verification flow and performs reading and verification processing of the NFC tag of the corresponding product 201.

[0052] At F904, device 101 acquires NDEF information related to authentication (authentication information (e.g., authentication key)) from the NFC tag of the corresponding product 201.

[0053] From F905 to F909, device 101 performs predetermined processing based on the authentication information acquired at F904. That is, device 101 executes authentication processing according to conditions, performs state transition of the corresponding product 201, and holds its state (authenticated or unauthenticated state) in memory as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0054] With F910, device 101 executes processing of NDEF information different from the NDEF information regarding the authentication of compatible item 201, and if it detects another NFC tag, it executes processing of the other NFC tag.

[0055] With F911, device 101 executes an action according to the authentication state of compatible item 201.

[0056] For example, when authenticating a compatible item attached to and used with a device using NFC technology, it is desirable that after the compatible item is attached to the device and once it is successful, subsequent authentication is not required as long as the compatible item is not removed from the device. However, if the conditions for performing the authentication process are not set appropriately, there is a risk that the authentication process will be performed multiple times even though authentication is not required. As a result, there is a risk of an increase in the power consumption of the device and a decrease in the processing operation of other applications. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment described above, in a state where device 101 has once successfully authenticated compatible item 201, it is possible to avoid performing the authentication process again in the next periodic NFC tag detection process. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an increase in the power consumption of device 101 and a decrease in the processing operation of other applications. Also, when compatible item 201 is removed from device 101 after it has once successfully authenticated, the state of compatible item 201 can be returned to the unauthenticated state of the compatible item. Therefore, when compatible item 201 is attached to device 101 again later, an appropriate authentication process can be executed again. As described above, when device 101 reads information from NFC tag 202, it can perform appropriate processing according to the situation.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, redundant descriptions for the same or similar configurations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, a power receiving device is applied as the device 101 in the first embodiment. The power receiving device is a device capable of performing wireless power transmission using an electromagnetic induction method for wireless charging based on the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) standard defined by the WPC.

[0058] In the WPC standard, the magnitude of the power guaranteed when the power receiving device receives power from the power transmitting device is defined by a value called Guaranteed Power (hereinafter referred to as "GP"). GP indicates the value of the power that is guaranteed to be output to the load such as the charging circuit of the power receiving device even if, for example, the positional relationship between the power receiving device and the power transmitting device changes and the power transmission efficiency between the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil decreases. For example, when GP is 15 watts, even if the positional relationship between the power receiving coil and the power transmitting coil changes and the power transmission efficiency decreases, the power transmitting device controls the power transmission so that 15 watts can be output to the load in the power receiving device.

[0059] [Configuration of the System] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the system in this embodiment. This system is composed of a power receiving device 111 as the device 101, a corresponding product 201 of the power receiving device 111, and a power transmitting device 1001. In the following description, the power receiving device may be referred to as RX and the power transmitting device may be referred to as TX.

[0060] RX111 is an electronic device that, when placed on TX1001, receives power from TX1001 and charges its built-in battery. TX1001 is an electronic device that performs wireless power transmission to the placed RX111. RX101 and TX1001 may have functions to execute applications other than the wireless charging function. For example, RX101 is a smartphone, and TX1001 is an accessory device for charging the battery of the smartphone. However, without being limited to this example, RX101 and TX1001 may be a tablet device, a storage device such as a hard disk device or a memory device, or an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC). Also, RX101 and TX1001 may be an imaging device such as a still camera or a video camera, an automobile, a robot, a medical device, a printer, or the like.

[0061] Similar to the device 101 shown in FIG. 1, RX111 has an NFC antenna 102 and a sensor 103. Also, RX111 incorporates a power receiving coil 104, and the power receiving coil 104 is arranged along the surface of the housing of RX111 and in the vicinity of the surface. RX111 can perform wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard with TX1001 using the power receiving coil 104.

[0062] TX1001 wirelessly transmits power to RX111 based on the WPC standard when RX111 is placed thereon. TX1001 incorporates a power transmission coil 1010 that can wirelessly transmit power to RX111 based on the WPC standard when RX111 is placed thereon, and the power transmission coil 1010 is arranged along the surface of the housing of TX1001 and in the vicinity of the surface.

[0063] Hereinafter, a magnet will be used as an example of the detected part 203 of the counterpart 201, and a magnetic sensor will be used as an example of the sensor 103 of the device 101 for explanation, but it is not limited thereto.

[0064] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system in a state where a corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111. The corresponding product 201 has a shape that covers the housing of RX111 and is attached to RX111. At this time, the NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 is arranged so as to overlap the area of the NFC antenna 102 of RX111. Thereby, RX111 can communicate with the NFC tag 202 by operating in the reader / writer mode.

[0065] Also, in a state where the corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111, the detected part 203 of the corresponding product 201 is arranged in the vicinity of the sensor 103 of RX111. Thereby, RX111 detects that the corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111 by detecting the detected part 203 using the sensor 103. Also, the arrangement of the power receiving coil 104 of RX111 is arranged inside the detected part 203 which is a circular magnet of the corresponding product 201 in a top view. The relative arrangement of the detected part 203 and the power receiving coil 104 is an arrangement that enables power reception using MPP which is planned to be a power profile of the WPC standard in the future. MPP is an abbreviation for Magnetic Power Profile.

[0066] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system in a state where RX111 is placed on TX1001 in a state where the corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111. FIG. 13(A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 13(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B), the power transmission coil 1010 of TX1001 is arranged so as to overlap the power receiving coil 104 of RX111 in a top view. Thereby, TX1001 can wirelessly transmit power to RX111 based on the WPC standard.

[0067] [Configuration of Power Receiving Device, Corresponding Product, and Power Transmitting Device] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of RX111. RX111 includes an NFC antenna 102, a sensor 103, a first communication unit 1304, a control unit 1305, and a memory 1306. Further, RX111 includes a power receiving coil 104, a power receiving unit 1307, a second communication unit 1308, a detection unit 1309, a charging unit 1310, a battery 1311, an operation unit 1312, and a notification unit 1313.

[0068] The NFC antenna 102 and the first communication unit 1304 are hardware modules that implement the NFC function. Similar to the NFC antenna 102 and the communication unit 304 of the first embodiment, they implement card emulation mode, reader / writer mode, P2P, etc.

[0069] The sensor 103, the control unit 1305, and the memory 1306 basically have the same functions as the NFC antenna 102, the sensor 103, the control unit 305, and the memory 306 described in FIG. 3.

[0070] Although the control unit 1305 is shown as one component, it is not limited thereto. For example, a WPC control unit that controls the processing related to power reception from TX1001 may have a configuration separated from the control unit 1305. Alternatively, an NFC control unit that controls the processing related to NFC communication may have a configuration separated from the control unit 1305. Further, the WPC control unit and the NFC control unit may each have a configuration separated from the control unit 1305. Since specific examples of the hardware of the control unit 1305 are the same as the examples of the hardware of the control unit 305 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0071] The second communication unit 1308 performs wireless power transmission communication based on the WPC standard with the communication unit 1405 (FIG. 15) of TX1001. The second communication unit 1308 controls the power receiving unit 1307 to communicate with TX1001. Specifically, the second communication unit 1308 demodulates the electromagnetic wave input from the power receiving coil 104 to obtain the information transmitted from TX1001, and superimposes the information to be transmitted to TX1001 on the electromagnetic wave by performing load modulation on the electromagnetic wave. That is, the communication performed by the second communication unit 1308 is performed by being superimposed on the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the power transmission coil 1010 of TX1001.

[0072] The detection unit 1309 detects, based on the WPC standard, that RX111 is placed on TX1001. The detection unit 1309 detects, for example, at least one of the voltage value and the current value of the power receiving coil 104 when the power receiving unit 1307 receives a Digital Ping of the WPC standard via the power receiving coil 104. The detection unit 1309 can determine that RX111 is placed on TX1001, for example, when the voltage value is lower than a predetermined voltage threshold or when the current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold.

[0073] Thus, in the present disclosure, the power receiving device being placed on the power transmitting device means that the power receiving device is in a state where it can receive power from the power transmitting device (for example, is arranged at a position where power can be received). Here, it is conceivable that the power receiving device may not necessarily be in a power-receivable state even when it is placed on the power transmitting device. This is the case, for example, when a cover, a case, or other members that block or attenuate electromagnetic waves are attached to the power receiving device, or when there are unintended members that block or attenuate electromagnetic waves between the power transmitting device and the power receiving device. "The power receiving device is placed on the power transmitting device" described later in the flowchart or the like is only an example of the power receiving device being in a state where it can receive power from the power transmitting device. Moreover, the state in which the power receiving device can receive power is not limited to the state in which the power receiving device is placed on the power transmitting device. For example, the state in which power can be received may be a state in which the power receiving device and the power transmitting device are in contact or close proximity by mechanical engagement, or may be a state in which the power receiving device is in contact with the power transmitting device (e.g., via a corresponding component) by magnetic force. In the present disclosure, the state in which the power receiving device is placed on the power transmitting device will be used as a typical example of the state in which RX can receive power in the following description.

[0074] The charging unit 1310 charges the battery 1311 with the power supplied from the power receiving unit 1307. Further, the charging unit 1310 starts or stops charging the battery 1311 based on the control of the control unit 1305, and further adjusts the power used for charging the battery 1311 based on the charging state of the battery 1311. When the power used by the charging unit 1310 changes, the power supplied from the power receiving unit 1307 accordingly, that is, the power receiving power in RX111 also changes. The charging unit 1310 shown here is a load in RX111.

[0075] Primarily, the power receiving unit 1307 or the charging unit 1310 is an example of power receiving means for wirelessly receiving power from the power transmitting device.

[0076] The battery 1311 supplies power necessary for the control of each part of RX111, power reception, and communication by the control unit 1305 to the entire RX111. Further, the battery 1311 stores the power received via the power receiving coil 104.

[0077] The notification unit 1313 notifies the user of information indicating, for example, the charging state of RX111 or the state regarding the power transmission of the wireless power transmission system including RX111 and TX1001 as shown in FIG. 13. Since a specific example of the hardware of the notification unit 1313 is the same as that of the notification unit 307 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0078] The operation unit 1312 has a reception function for receiving operations on RX111 from the user. Since specific examples of the hardware of the operation unit 1312 are the same as those of the operation unit 308 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0079] Since the configuration of the corresponding product 201 of RX111 in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of TX1001 in the present embodiment. TX1001 is composed of a control unit 1401, a power supply unit 1402, a power transmission unit 1403, a detection unit 1404, a power transmission coil 1010, a communication unit 1405, a notification unit 1406, an operation unit 1407, and a memory 1408.

[0081] The control unit 1401 controls the entirety of TX1001 by executing, for example, a control program stored in the memory 1408. That is, the control unit 1401 controls each functional unit shown in FIG. 15. Further, the control unit 1401 causes the memory 1408 to store information that should be stored during the execution of various processes. Also, the control unit 1401 performs control related to power transmission and control related to the NFC function. Furthermore, the control unit 1401 may perform control for executing applications other than wireless power transmission. Since specific examples of the hardware of the control unit 1401 are the same as those of the hardware of the control unit 305 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0082] The control unit 1401 may be composed of one processor, or the main control unit that controls the whole and the sub-control units for controlling power transmission processing and NFC communication may be realized by different processors respectively.

[0083] The power supply unit 1402 supplies power necessary for the control of TX1001 by the control unit 1401, power transmission, and communication to the entire TX1001. The power supply unit 1402 is, for example, a commercial power supply or a battery. Electric power supplied from the commercial power supply is stored in the battery.

[0084] The power transmission unit 1403 converts the DC or AC power output from the power supply unit 1402 into AC frequency power in the frequency band used for wireless power transmission, and generates an electromagnetic wave for the RX111 to receive power by inputting the AC frequency power to the power transmission coil 1010. The frequency of the AC power generated by the power transmission unit 1403 is, for example, about several hundred kHz (for example, 110 kHz to 205 kHz). Based on the instruction of the control unit 1401, the power transmission unit 1403 inputs AC frequency power to the power transmission coil 1010 so as to output an electromagnetic wave for power transmission to the RX111 from the power transmission coil 1010. The power transmission unit 1403 controls the intensity of the output electromagnetic wave by adjusting the voltage (transmission voltage), current (transmission current), or both of them input to the power transmission coil 1010. When the transmission voltage or the transmission current is increased, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave becomes stronger, and when the transmission voltage or the transmission current is decreased, the intensity of the electromagnetic wave becomes weaker. Also, based on the instruction of the control unit 1401, the power transmission unit 1403 performs output control of the AC frequency power so that the power transmission from the power transmission coil 1010 is started or stopped.

[0085] The power transmission unit 1403 notifies the control unit 1401 of the current transmission power, so that the control unit 1401 can know the transmission power at that timing at any timing. Note that the measurement of the transmission power and the notification to the control unit 1401 may be configured to be performed outside the power transmission unit 1403.

[0086] The detection unit 1404 detects whether an object is placed on the TX1001 based on the WPC standard. Specifically, the detection unit 1404 detects whether an object is placed on the Interface Surface of the TX1001. For example, the detection unit 1404 detects at least one of the voltage value and the current value of the power transmission coil 1010 when the power transmission unit 1403 transmits an Analog Ping of the WPC standard via the power transmission coil 1010. The detection unit 1404 may detect a change in impedance. Then, the detection unit 1404 can determine that an object is placed on the TX1001 when the voltage is below a predetermined voltage value or the current value exceeds a predetermined current value. Whether this object is RX111 or another foreign object is determined by the presence or absence of a predetermined response to the Digital Ping subsequently transmitted by the communication unit 1405. That is, when TX1001 receives a predetermined response, it is determined that the object is RX111; otherwise, it is determined that the object is different from the power receiving device.

[0087] Mainly, the detection unit 1404 is an example of state detection means for detecting a state in which the power receiving device can receive power from the power transmitting device. Also, the condition that RX111 is in a state where it can receive power from TX1001 is an example of the third condition.

[0088] The communication unit 1405 performs control communication based on the WPC standard as described above with RX111. The communication unit 1405 modulates the electromagnetic wave output from the power transmission coil 1010, transmits information to RX111, and conducts communication. Also, the communication unit 1405 demodulates the electromagnetic wave output from the power transmission coil 1010 and modulated at RX111 to acquire the information transmitted by RX111. That is, the communication performed by the communication unit 1405 is carried out by being superimposed on the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the power transmission coil 1010. Also, the communication unit 1405 performs NFC communication and detects the NFC tag of the device that transmits power. Note that the communication unit 1405 may be realized by one piece of hardware for the module that performs control communication based on the WPC standard and the module that performs NFC communication, or may be realized by separate pieces of hardware.

[0089] The notification unit 1406 notifies the user of information by any method such as visual, auditory, or tactile means. The notification unit 1406 notifies the user of, for example, the charging state of TX1001 and information indicating the state related to power transmission of the wireless power transmission system including TX1001 and RX111 as shown in FIG. 13. Since a specific example of the hardware of the notification unit 1406 is the same as the notification unit 307 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0090] The operation unit 1407 has a reception function for receiving operations on the TX1001 from the user. Since an example of the specific hardware of the operation unit 1407 is the same as that of the operation unit 308 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

[0091] The memory 1408 stores various types of information such as identification information and ability information, as well as control programs. The ability information includes, for example, information indicating whether it has a high-precision foreign object detection processing ability. Note that the memory 1408 may store information obtained by a functional unit different from the control unit 1401.

[0092] [Processing of the power receiving device] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing of the RX111. This processing can be realized, for example, by the control unit 1305 of the RX111 executing a program read from the memory 1306. Note that at least a part of the following procedures may be realized by hardware. In this case, the hardware can be realized, for example, by automatically generating a dedicated circuit using a gate array circuit such as an FPGA from a program for realizing each processing step using a predetermined compiler.

[0093] The processing of the RX111 in S1501 and S1502 is the same as the processing of the device 101 in S501 and S502 (FIG. 5) in the first embodiment. The start timing of S1501 is the same as the above (a) to (c) described in S501 in the first embodiment. The details of the processing in S1502 are also the same as those in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the first embodiment.

[0094] In S1503, the RX111 executes wireless power transmission processing based on the WPC standard and receives power from the TX1001. Here, the RX111 executes a wireless power transmission pre-setting process and performs a setting of wireless power transmission according to the authentication state of the corresponding product 201. The wireless power transmission pre-setting process is an example of a setting related to the wireless power transmission process. The wireless power transmission pre-setting process is hereinafter abbreviated as the pre-setting process. In this embodiment, as an example of the presetting process, a process of determining a power profile for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard according to the authentication state of the corresponding product 201 is shown. Details will be described later.

[0095] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the wireless power transmission process of RX111 based on the WPC standard in S1503 of FIG. 16. In S1601, RX111 executes processes defined as the Selection phase and the Ping phase of the WPC standard and waits for the self-device to be placed on TX1001. RX111 detects that it is placed on TX1001, for example, by detecting a Digital Ping from TX1001. When RX111 receives a Digital Ping from TX1001, it transmits a Singnal Strength (SIG) data Packet to TX1001.

[0096] In S1602, when RX111 detects that the self-device is placed on TX1001, it executes a presetting process. The presetting process is a process of setting wireless power transmission according to the authentication state of the corresponding product.

[0097] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the presetting process and showing a process of setting a power profile in wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard. The power profile is one of the standards in the WPC standard, and there are, for example, BPP (Baseline Power Profile) and EPP (Extended Power Profile). As the maximum power supply amount, BPP is 5W and EPP is 15W. Also, in the future, the above-mentioned MPP is planned to be added.

[0098] When the process starts, at S1701, RX111 determines whether it detects that a corresponding product is attached to RX111. Note that since this determination process has already been performed at S606 (Figure 7) in S1502, the determination result may be used at S1701. If it does not detect that a corresponding product is attached (No at S1701), at S1704, RX111 sets BPP and EPP as the power profiles of the WPC standard that the self-device supports, stores this setting in the memory 1306, and ends the process.

[0099] If RX111 detects that a corresponding product is attached (Yes at S1701), it proceeds to S1702 and determines whether the corresponding product has been authenticated. This is determined based on the information regarding the authentication state stored in the memory 1306 at S611 when the NFC tag detection / authentication flow is executed at S1502.

[0100] If it is not in the state where the corresponding product has been authenticated (No at S1702), RX111 executes the above-described process at S1704 and ends the process. If it is in the state where the corresponding product has been authenticated (Yes at S1702), at S1703, RX111 sets MPP as the power profile of the WPC standard that the self-device supports, stores this setting in the memory 1306, and ends the process.

[0101] Returning to the description of Figure 17. At S1603, RX111 executes the process defined as the Identification and Configuration phase (I&C phase) of the WPC standard. In the I&C phase, RX111 transmits an Identification data Packet (ID Packet) to TX1001. In addition to the Manufacturer Code and Basic Device ID, which are the identification information for each individual of RX111, the ID Packet stores an information element that can identify the version of the WPC standard it supports.

[0102] RX111 may transmit the identification information of RX111 to TX1001 by an Extended Identification Packet (XID Packet). Also, RX111 transmits a Configuration data Packet to TX1001. The Configuration data Packet includes the following capability information (device configuration information) of RX111. · Information capable of identifying the version of the WPC standard that RX111 supports · Maximum Power Value or Reference Power, which is a value for identifying the maximum power that RX111 can supply to the load · Information indicating whether RX111 has the Negotiation function of the WPC standard · Parameters used in frequency shift keying modulation, which is the communication modulation method used when TX1001 transmits information to RX111

[0103] However, these pieces of information are just examples, and the identification information and capability information of RX111 may be replaced by other information or may further include other information. For example, the identification information may be any other identification information capable of identifying the individual of RX111, such as Wireless Power ID. Also, RX111 may transmit the identification information and capability information by a method other than the communication in the I&C phase of the WPC standard.

[0104] Here, RX111 notifies TX1001 by including the information of the power profile of the WPC standard that the self-device supports in any one of the ID Packet, XID Packet, and Configuration data Packet. After receiving this notification, TX1001 compares the information of the power profile of the WPC standard that RX111 supports with the power profile of the WPC standard that TX1001 supports, and determines the power profile to be used. For example, TX1001 sets the priority order of the power profiles to be used in advance, and selects and determines the power profile with the highest priority among the power profiles supported by both TX1001 and RX111. For example, assume that the priority order of the power profiles to be used is set as 1st: MPP, 2nd: EPP, and 3rd: BPP. And when the power profiles supported by both TX1001 and RX111 are MPP and BPP, MPP is selected and determined as the power profile to be used. As another example, RX111 has a method of notifying TX1001 by including the information of the power profile it supports and its priority in any one of the Packets of ID, XID, or Configuration data. At this time, TX1001 selects and determines the power profile with the highest priority among the power profiles supported by both TX1001 and RX111 from the power profile of RX111 notified by RX111.

[0105] In S1604, when RX111 transmits the identification information and the capability information, it starts the communication in the Negotiation phase defined by the WPC standard. In the Negotiation phase, RX111 transmits the required power value to TX1001 and determines the value of GP with TX1001. GP is an example of power information indicating the power required by the power receiving device from the power transmitting device.

[0106] After RX111 determines GP, in S1605, it starts the communication in the Calibration phase defined by the WPC standard. In the Calibration phase, RX111 transmits the information of a predetermined received power value to TX1001 for TX to derive the relationship between the received power and the transmitted power in the state without foreign objects. Here, the information of the predetermined received power value includes the received power value in the light load state / Light Load and the received power value in the maximum load / Connected Load state.

[0107] When RX111 transmits information on the received power value, it starts power reception through communication in the Power Transfer phase defined by the WPC standard at S1606. After that, when full charge is reached, RX111 transmits End Power Transfer (EPT) of the WPC standard. As a result, power transmission from TX1001 stops, and a series of processes for wireless charging end.

[0108] [System-wide processing] Figures 19 and 20 are sequence diagrams showing system-wide processing. As an initial state, RX111 is in a state where it is not placed on TX1001 (a state where power reception is not possible). Since the processing of F1801 to F1810 by RX111 is the same as that of F901 to F910 (Figure 10) by the device 101 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0109] In the example of this flowchart, it is assumed that RX111 is placed on TX1001 at F1811. When RX111 is placed on TX1001 at F1811, at F1812, TX1001 and RX111 execute communication in the Ping phase of the WPC standard, and at F1813, TX1001 detects that RX101 has been placed on its own device. Also, at F1814, RX101 detects that its own device has been placed on TX1001. After that, at F1815, RX111 executes preset processing as shown in the flowchart of Figure 18, and sets the power profile of the WPC standard corresponding to RX111.

[0110] RX111 transmits identification information and capability information to TX1001 through communication in the I&C phase of the WPC standard (not shown). In the I&C phase, at F1816, RX111 notifies TX1001 of information on the power profile of the WPC standard that RX111 supports. At F1817, based on the information on the power profile of the WPC standard that RX111 supports and the information on the power profile of the WPC standard that TX1001 supports, TX1001 determines the power profile to be used. At F1818, RX111 requests TX1001 for information on the power profile to be used. This request can be realized by transmitting a General Request Packet to TX1001. At F1819, TX1001 responds to the request for information on the power profile to be used from RX111 and notifies RX111 of the power profile to be used. Notifying RX111 of the power profile to be used from TX1001 can be realized by transmitting a Power Transmitter Identification Packet (TX ID Packet) to RX111.

[0111] At F1820 - F1822, TX1001 and RX111 perform communication in the Negotiation phase of the WPC standard, and proceed to the Power Transfer phase to start power transmission and reception processing. When the battery is fully charged, at F1823, RX111 transmits an End Power Transfer Packet (EPT Packet) requesting TX1001 to stop power transmission. TX1001 that has received the EPT Packet stops power transmission.

[0112] According to the present embodiment described above, in a state where RX111 has successfully authenticated the compatible product 201 once, it is possible to avoid performing the authentication process again in the next periodic NFC tag detection process. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an increase in the power consumption of RX111 and a decrease in the processing operation of other applications. Further, when the compatible product 201 is removed from RX111 after the compatible product 201 has successfully authenticated once, the state of the compatible product 201 can be returned to the unauthenticated state of the compatible product. Therefore, when the compatible product 201 is attached to RX111 again thereafter, an appropriate authentication process can be executed again. Also, RX111 can switch the WPC standard power profile to be used according to the authentication state of the compatible product 201. For example, MPP can be used as the power profile only when the compatible product 201 is attached to RX111 and is authenticated.

[0113] <Third Embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, redundant descriptions for the same or similar configurations as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted. In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, a power receiving device is applied as the device 101 in the first embodiment. The configuration example of the system in the present embodiment, and the configurations of the power receiving device (RX111), the compatible product 201, and the power transmitting device (TX1001) are the same as those in the second embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

[0114] [Processing of Power Receiving Device] The outline of the processing flow of RX111 is shown in FIG. 16 in the same manner as in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a periodic NFC tag detection / authentication flow is executed at an initial time point (F2101 in FIG. 23 described later). After that, when the corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111, the attachment is detected (F2102 in FIG. 23). These points are the same as those in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, after the detection of the attachment of the corresponding product 201, the NFC tag detection / authentication flow is not executed until RX111 is placed on TX1001. The NFC tag detection / authentication flow is executed after RX111 is placed on TX1001 (S1502, S2002 in FIG. 22 described later, F2107 in FIG. 23). That is, in this embodiment, based on RX111 being placed on TX1001, the NFC tag detection / authentication flow is executed. After that, RX111 starts processing for wireless power transmission based on the WPC standard, that is, processing for receiving power from TX1001 (S1503, S2003 and subsequent steps in FIG. 22).

[0115] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of the NFC tag detection / authentication flow (S1502) in FIG. 16. The processing from S1901 to S1904 is the same as the processing from S601 to S604 shown in FIG. 6 in the first and second embodiments, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0116] In S1905, RX111 determines whether there is information regarding the authentication of the corresponding product 201 (NDEF information 802 in FIG. 9, that is, authentication information) among the NDEF information confirmed in S604.

[0117] If there is no authentication information for the corresponding product 201 (No in S1905), RX111 proceeds to S612 and does not perform the authentication process. If there is authentication information for the corresponding product 201 (Yes in S1905), in S1906, RX111 determines whether it has detected that RX111 has been placed on TX1001.

[0118] If not detected (No in S1906), RX111 proceeds to S612 and does not perform authentication processing. If RX111 has detected that it has been placed on TX1001 (Yes in S1906), in S1907, RX111 determines, using sensor 103, whether or not the corresponding product is attached to RX111.

[0119] If not detected (No in S1907), in S1908, RX111 transitions to the unauthenticated state of the corresponding product and stores in memory 1306 that it is in the unauthenticated state of the corresponding product. Then, it proceeds to S612. The unauthenticated state of the corresponding product means that the authentication of the corresponding product 201 has not been successful. This enables the state of the corresponding product 201 to be returned to the unauthenticated state when the corresponding product is removed from RX111 after the corresponding product has once been successfully authenticated. Thus, when the corresponding product 201 is attached to RX111 again at a later time, appropriate authentication processing can be executed again.

[0120] If RX111 has detected that the corresponding product 201 is attached to it (Yes in S1907), RX111 proceeds to S1909. Since the subsequent processing is the same as in the first and second embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

[0121] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the details of the wireless power transmission process of RX111 based on the WPC standard in S1503 of FIG. 16 in the present embodiment. S1503 of FIG. 16 means starting the power transmission process (initially the preset process) from TX1001. In this embodiment, the difference from the second embodiment is that after RX111 is placed on TX1001 (S2001), before the preset process (S2003), the NFC tag detection / authentication flow is executed (S1502, S2002). Since the processing after S2003 is the same as S1602 of FIG. 17, the description thereof is omitted.

[0122] [Processing of the entire system] FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the entire system. As an initial state, RX111 is not placed on TX1001 (a state where power reception is not possible). Since F2101 and F2102 are the same as F1801 and F1802 in FIG. 19, their description is omitted.

[0123] In this embodiment, it is assumed that RX111 is placed on TX1001 at F2103. When RX111 is placed on TX1001 at F2103, at F2104, TX1001 and RX111 execute communication in the Ping phase of the WPC standard, and at F2105, TX1001 detects that RX101 has been placed on its own device. Also, at F2106, RX101 detects that its own device has been placed on TX1001.

[0124] Since F2107 to F2115 are the same as F1803 to F1810 and F1815 (FIG. 19) of the second embodiment, their description is omitted. Also, since the processing after F2115 is the same as F1816 to 1823 (FIG. 20) of the second embodiment, its description is omitted.

[0125] According to the present embodiment described above, even if the NFC tag detection / authentication flow is not executed before RX111 is placed on TX1001, it is executed after the placement, and then the preset processing is executed. Thereby, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0126] <Fourth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, duplicate descriptions for the same or similar configurations as those of the first to third embodiments are omitted. In this embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments, a power receiving device is applied as the device 101 in the first embodiment. The configuration example of the system in this embodiment, and the configurations of the power receiving device (RX111), the corresponding product 201, and the power transmitting device (TX1001) are the same as those of the second and third embodiments. Therefore, the description is omitted.

[0127] [Processing of Power Receiving Device] Since the outline of the processing flow of RX111 is the same as that of the third embodiment (described with reference to FIG. 16), the description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that, in the wireless power transmission process based on the WPC standard of S1503 in FIG. 16, after the presetting process, a required power selection process is executed.

[0128] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the details of the wireless power transmission process of RX111 based on the WPC standard of S1503 in FIG. 16. As described above, the processes other than the required power selection process of S2204 (S2201 to S2203 and S2205 to S2208) are the same as those of the third embodiment (FIG. 22), and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] At S2204, RX111 executes a required power selection process. The required power selection process is a process of selecting a required power value of GP based on the information of the corresponding product 201 detected by RX111, the information of other NFC tags, and the specifications of the own device.

[0130] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the required power selection process. At S2301, RX111 determines whether an NFC tag has been detected. This determination result is obtained by the NFC tag detection process (S602 in FIG. 6) executed in the NFC tag detection / authentication flow of S2202.

[0131] If an NFC tag has not been detected (No at S2301), at S2308, RX111 determines the receivable power value of RX111 as the required power value of GP, holds it in the memory 1306, and ends the process. The receivable power value is the maximum power value that RX111 can receive at the current time, and can be determined by the operating state of RX111, such as load, temperature, and / or the coupling coefficient of the power transmission / reception coil, but is not limited thereto. Mainly, the control unit 1305 is an example of a calculation means for calculating the receivable power value based on the operating state of the power receiving device.

[0132] When an NFC tag is detected (Yes in S2301), in S2302, RX111 determines whether the reading of the NFC tag was successful. This determination result is obtained by the process of S603 executed in the NFC tag detection / verification flow of S2202.

[0133] If the reading of the NFC tag was not successful (No in S2302), RX111 executes S2308 described above and ends the process. If the reading of the NFC tag was successful (Yes in S2302), in S2303, RX111 checks all the NDEF information of the NFC tag. When multiple NFC tags are detected, RX111 checks all the NDEF information for each NFC tag. Note that when the reading of the NFC tag was successful (Yes in S603), RX111 holds the NDEF information of all the NFC tags for which the reading was successful in the memory 1306. In S2303, RX111 just needs to check this NDEF information. Checking the NDEF information means analyzing the NDEF information (for example, the NEEF information 801 - 803 shown in FIG. 9).

[0134] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the NDEF information 803 contains information allowing power transmission of the NFC tag. In S2304, RX111 determines whether all the NFC tags are tags for which power transmission is allowed. When RX111 determines that all the NFC tags are NFC tags for which power transmission is allowed (YES in S2304), in S2305, it selects the minimum value among the allowable power values of all the NFC tags and sets this as the allowable power value to be used in subsequent processes. This means using the allowable power value (for example, 8 watts) of the NDEF information 803.

[0135] On the other hand, when RX111 determines that at least one of the detected NFC tags is not an NFC tag for which power transmission is permitted (NO in S2304), in S2309, it determines the limited power value as the required power value of GP and ends the required power selection process. The limited power value is a sufficiently small value with a low possibility of causing destruction or heat generation of the NFC tag even if the power transmission process continues. The limited power value can be equal to or less than a predetermined value, for example, 5 watts or less, but is not limited thereto.

[0136] In S2306, RX111 determines whether the minimum allowable power value selected in S2305 is smaller than the power reception possible power value. When the allowable power value is smaller than the power reception possible power value (YES in S2306), in S2307, RX111 determines the allowable power value as the required power value of GP and ends the required power selection process. On the other hand, when the allowable power value is equal to or greater than the power reception possible power value (No in S2306), RX111 executes S2308 described above and ends the required power selection process.

[0137] [Processing of the entire system] FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the entire system. As an initial state, RX111 is in a state of not being placed on TX1001. Since the processing up to before F2416 is the same as the processing from F2101 to F2115 (FIG. 23) in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0138] In F2416, RX111 executes the required power selection process. As an example, assume that information allowing power transmission to all the NFC tags detected in the NFC tag detection / authentication flow (F2107) is included, and the smallest allowable power value among those NFC tags is 8W. Also, as an example, assume that the power reception possible power value of RX111 is 12W. In this case, in S2306 of FIG. 25, since the allowable power value is smaller than the power reception possible power value, it becomes Yes, and the required power value of GP is selected as 8W of the allowable power value in S2307.

[0139] Since the processing of the I&C phases from F2417 to F2420 is the same as that in the second and third embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

[0140] Subsequently, RX111 and TX1001 proceed to the processing of the Negotiation phase. At F2421, RX111 transmits a WPC standard FOD (Foreign Object Detection) Status data packet to TX1001. When TX1001 receives the FOD Status data packet, in this embodiment, assuming there is no foreign object, it transmits an ACK at F2422.

[0141] At F2423, RX111 requests information on the power transmission capable power value from TX1001. This request can be realized by transmitting a notification request for capability information to TX1001 using a WPC standard General Request (GRQ) data packet. When TX1001 is requested for information on the power transmission capable power value, it notifies RX111 of the power transmission capable power value information at F2424. This notification can be realized by a WPC standard Power Transmitter Capabilities (CAP) data packet. Note that the CAP data packet may include the power transmission capable power value of TX1001, that is, the Negotiable Load Power.

[0142] At F2425, RX111 determines the required power value of the GP. RX111 compares the required power value selected in the required power selection process of F2416 with the power transmission capable power value notified from TX1001 at F2424, and determines the smaller value of the two values as the required power value of the GP. Since the power transmission capable power value of TX1001 is 12W and the required power value selected in the required power selection process of F2416 is 8W, the required power value of the GP is determined to be 8W.

[0143] At F2426, RX111 stores the determined required power value of the GP in the Specific Request (SRQ) data packet of the WPC standard and transmits it to TX1001. When TX1001 receives the SRQ data packet which is the request of the GP, since the required power value is smaller than its own transmitable power value, it accepts the required power value and holds it as the value of the GP at F2427.

[0144] At F2428, TX1001 transmits an ACK which is a response of acceptance to RX111. When RX111 receives the ACK, it holds the required power value as the value of the GP at F2429, considering that the required power value transmitted at F2426 has been accepted. At F2430, RX111 transmits a notification of the end of the Negotiation phase to TX1001 in the SRQ data packet of the WPC standard. When TX1001 receives the notification of the end of the Negotiation phase, it transmits an ACK which is a response of acceptance to RX111 at F2431.

[0145] The processing from F2432 to F2434 is the same as the processing of F1821 - F1823 in FIG. 20, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0146] According to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the second and third embodiments can be obtained. Also, RX111 can select an appropriate required power value based on the information of the NFC tag detected in the NFC tag detection process. Thereby, it is possible to avoid products, components, etc. implementing the NFC function from being damaged by the electromagnetic wave transmitted from TX1001.

[0147] <Other Embodiments> In the above first embodiment, the order of S606 and S608 in FIG. 7 may be reversed. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example thereof. After S605, in both cases where the corresponding product 201 is in an authenticated state (YES) at S608 and where it is not in an authenticated state (NO), it is determined whether the attachment of the corresponding product 201 to the device 101 has been detected (S606a and S606b). And in S606b, if the attachment of the corresponding product 201 to the device 101 has been detected (YES), the process of the device 101 may proceed to S609. Also in the example of FIG. 27, similar to the example described in the description of FIG. 7, even when the corresponding product 201 is already in an authenticated state (YES in S608), if the attachment of the corresponding product 201 has not been detected (No in S606a), the process of canceling the authentication is executed at S607.

[0148] In the above third and fourth embodiments, for the same purpose as above, the order of S1906 to S1909 in FIG. 21 can be appropriately changed. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example thereof. In the example of this flowchart, it is YES in S1909 → YES in S1906 → YES in S1907a → S612. However, it is not limited to this, and it may also be YES in S1909 → YES in S1907a → S1906 → S612.

[0149] In the first embodiment, as an example of the detection means for detecting that the device 101 and the corresponding product 201 are combined, it is described as follows. For example, when the corresponding product 201 is attached to or combined with the device 101, the device 101 uses the sensor 103 to detect the detected part 203, thereby detecting that the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the attachment may be detected by periodic NFC tag detection. Specifically, the following embodiments are assumed. In the periodic NFC tag detection shown in FIG. 8, the device 101 executes the detection of the NFC tag 202 of the corresponding product 201 (S702). If the NFC tag detection is successful (YES in S703), the device 101 retains the read NDEF information (S704). Among the NDEF information retained here, if the information of the corresponding product 201 of the NDEF information 801 shown in FIG. 9 (such as device type, manufacturer, serial number, etc.) satisfies a predetermined condition, the device 101 determines that the corresponding product 201 is attached to the device 101. The predetermined condition is, for example, satisfying all of the following conditions. · Device type: It is a cover. · Manufacturer: It is the information set in the device 101 in advance. · Serial number: It is the information set in the device 101 in advance.

[0150] A part (or all in some cases) of the configuration in the above embodiment may be replaced with another configuration that performs other similar functions, or omitted, or another configuration may be added. Also, it is not limited to the WPC standard and can be applied to various standards.

[0151] Also, the power transmission device and the power reception device may be, for example, an image input device such as an imaging device (such as a still camera or a video camera) or a scanner, or an image output device such as a printer, a copier, or a projector. Also, it may be a storage device such as a hard disk device or a memory device, or an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, or a tablet device.

[0152] Also, the power reception device of the present disclosure may be an information terminal device. For example, the information terminal device has a display unit (display) that displays information to which the power received from the power reception antenna is supplied. The power received from the power reception antenna is stored in a power storage unit (battery), and the power is supplied from the battery to the display unit. In this case, the power reception device may have a communication unit that communicates with another device different from the power transmission device. The communication unit may support communication standards such as NFC communication and the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G).

[0153] Also, the power receiving device of the present disclosure may be a vehicle such as an automobile. For example, an automobile as the power receiving device may receive power from a charger (power transmitting device) via a power transmitting antenna installed in a parking lot. Further, an automobile as the power receiving device may receive power from a charger (power transmitting device) via a power transmitting antenna embedded in a road. Such an automobile supplies the received power to a battery. The power of the battery may be supplied to a driving part (motor, electric part) that drives the wheels, or may be used to drive a sensor used for driving assistance or a communication part that communicates with an external device. That is, in this case, the power receiving device may have, in addition to the wheels, a battery, a motor and a sensor that are driven using the received power, and further a communication part that communicates with a device other than the power transmitting device. Furthermore, the power receiving device may have a housing part that houses a person. For example, as the sensor, there is a sensor used for measuring the distance between vehicles or the distance to other obstacles. The communication part may, for example, correspond to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Also, the communication part may correspond to a communication standard such as the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G). Also, the vehicle may be a bicycle or a motorcycle.

[0154] Also, the power receiving device of the present disclosure may be a power tool, a household appliance, or the like. These devices as the power receiving device may have, in addition to a battery, a motor that is driven by the received power stored in the battery. Also, these devices may have a notification means for notifying the remaining amount of the battery and the like. Also, these devices may have a communication part that communicates with another device different from the power transmitting device. The communication part may correspond to a communication standard such as NFC or the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G).

[0155] In addition, the power transmission device of the present disclosure may be an in-vehicle charger that performs power transmission to a portable information terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet that supports wireless power transmission inside a vehicle of an automobile. Such an in-vehicle charger may be provided anywhere inside the automobile. For example, the in-vehicle charger may be installed on the console of the automobile, or may be installed on the instrument panel (instrument panel, dashboard), or at a position between the seats of passengers, on the ceiling, or on the door. However, it is better not to install it in a place that hinders driving. In addition, although the power transmission device has been described by way of an example of an in-vehicle charger, such a charger is not limited to being arranged in a vehicle, and may be installed in a transportation machine such as a train, an airplane, or a ship. In this case, the charger may also be installed at a position between the seats of passengers, on the ceiling, or on the door.

[0156] In addition, a vehicle such as an automobile equipped with an in-vehicle charger may be a power transmission device. In this case, the power transmission device has a wheel and a battery, and uses the power of the battery to supply power to a power receiving device by a power transmission circuit unit and a power transmission antenna.

[0157] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or a device via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or the device to read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0158] In addition, a part of the processing described with reference to the flowchart in the present disclosure may be realized by hardware. For example, by using a predetermined compiler, a dedicated circuit may be automatically generated on an FPGA from a program for realizing each step. Further, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same manner as an FPGA and realized as hardware.

[0159] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) A device that can be used in combination with a corresponding product, Detection means for detecting that the device and the corresponding product are combined; Reading means for detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag of the corresponding product and reading one or more tag information from the detected NFC tag; Processing means for switching a processing method for the one or more tag information read according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied and executing the processing; and having A device characterized by the above. (Configuration 2) The one or more tag information includes authentication information for the device to authenticate the corresponding product, The processing means executes an authentication process for the corresponding product based on the authentication information The device according to Configuration 1, characterized by the above. (Configuration 3) The predetermined condition is A first condition in which the combination of the device and the corresponding product is detected by the detection means, A second condition in which the corresponding product is in a state of being authenticated by the authentication process, and including The device according to Configuration 2, characterized by the above. (Configuration 4) The processing means When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, or when the first condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is not executed, When the first condition is satisfied and the second condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is executed The device according to Configuration 3, characterized by the above. (Configuration 5) When the processing means satisfies the second condition and does not satisfy the first condition, the authentication of the corresponding product is cancelled The device according to Configuration 3, characterized by the above. (Configuration 6) Power receiving means for wirelessly receiving power from a power transmission device, State detection means for detecting a state in which the device can receive power from the power transmission device, and further having The predetermined conditions further include a third condition that the device is in a state where it can receive power from the power transmission device. The device according to any one of Configurations 3 to 5, characterized in that. (Configuration 7) The processing means When the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition are satisfied, or when the third condition is not satisfied, does not execute the authentication process. When the first condition and the third condition are satisfied and the second condition is not satisfied, executes the authentication process. The device according to Configuration 6, characterized in that. (Configuration 8) When the processing means satisfies the second condition and the third condition, and does not satisfy the first condition, cancels the authentication of the corresponding product. The device according to Configuration 7, characterized in that. (Configuration 9) The processing means performs settings related to wireless power transmission processing with the power transmission device. The device according to Configuration 6, characterized in that. (Configuration 10) The processing means sets a power profile in the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) standard according to the first condition and the second condition. The device according to any one of Configurations 6 to 9, characterized in that. (Configuration 11) The processing means When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, sets a first power profile. When at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, sets a second power profile different from the first power profile, and a third power profile different from the first and second power profiles. The device according to Configuration 10, characterized in that. (Configuration 12) When the processing means satisfies the third condition, it checks for the presence or absence of information indicating permission to transmit power among the one or more tag information items. The device according to any one of Configurations 6 to 11, characterized in that. (Configuration 13) When the information indicating permission to transmit power is present, the processing means determines power information indicating the power requested from the power transmission device in the negotiation with the power transmission device based on the information indicating permission to transmit power. The device according to Configuration 12, characterized in that. (Configuration 14) The device further includes a calculating means for calculating a power reception possible value based on the operating state of the device, and the processing means determines the power information based on the information indicating permission to transmit power and the power reception possible value. The device according to Configuration 13, characterized in that. (Configuration 15) When the information indicating permission to transmit power is absent, or when the NFC tag cannot be detected by the reading means, the processing means determines power information of power limited to a predetermined value or less in the negotiation with the power transmission device. The device according to Configuration 12, characterized in that. (Configuration 16) The detection means is a magnetic sensor. The device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 15, characterized in that. (Method) A control method for a device that can be used in combination with a corresponding product, including a detection step of detecting that the device and the corresponding product are combined, a reading step of detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag of the corresponding product and reading one or more tag information items from the detected NFC tag, and a processing step of switching a processing method for the one or more tag information items read according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied and executing the processing. The control method, characterized in that. (Program) A program for operating a computer as the device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 16.

[0160] As described above, the present disclosure has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present disclosure, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0161] 101: Device 102: NFC antenna 103: Sensor 111: Power receiving device 201: Corresponding product 202: NFC tag 304: Communication unit 305, 1305: Control unit 801~803: NDEF information 1001: Power transmission device 1304: First communication unit 1307: Power receiving unit 1308: Second communication unit 1309: Detection unit

Claims

Claim 1 A device that can be used in combination with a corresponding product, detection means for detecting that the device and the corresponding product are combined, reading means for detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag of the corresponding product and reading one or more tag information from the detected NFC tag, processing means for switching a processing method for the one or more tag information read according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied and executing the processing, characterized in that it has a device. Claim 2 The one or more tag information includes authentication information for the device to authenticate the corresponding product, The processing means executes an authentication process for the corresponding product based on the authentication information The device according to claim 1, characterized in that. Claim 3 The predetermined conditions are a first condition in which the combination of the device and the corresponding product is detected by the detection means, and a second condition in which the corresponding product is in a state of being authenticated by the authentication process, The device according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes. Claim 4 The processing means When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, or when the first condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is not executed, When the first condition is satisfied and the second condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is executed The device according to claim 3, characterized in that. Claim 5 When the processing means satisfies the second condition and does not satisfy the first condition, the authentication of the corresponding product is cancelled The device according to claim 3, characterized in that. Claim 6 power receiving means for wirelessly receiving power from a power transmission device, state detection means for detecting a state in which the device can receive power from the power transmission device, and further having, The predetermined condition further includes a third condition in which the device is in a state where it can receive power from the power transmission device The device according to claim 3, characterized in that. Claim 7 The processing means When the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition are satisfied, or when the third condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is not executed, When the first condition and the third condition are satisfied and the second condition is not satisfied, the authentication process is executed The device according to claim 6, characterized in that. Claim 8 When the processing means does not satisfy the first condition when satisfying the second condition and the third condition, the authentication of the corresponding product is cancelled. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The processing means performs settings related to wireless power transmission processing with the power transmission device. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

10. The processing means sets a power profile in the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) standard according to the first condition and the second condition. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

11. The processing means, When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, a first power profile is set. When at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, a second power profile different from the first power profile and a third power profile different from the first and second power profiles are set. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. When the processing means satisfies the third condition, it checks for the presence or absence of information indicating permission to perform power transmission among the one or more pieces of tag information. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

13. When there is information indicating permission to perform power transmission, the processing means determines power information indicating the power requested from the power transmission device in the negotiation with the power transmission device based on the information indicating permission to perform power transmission. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The device further includes a calculating means for calculating a power reception possible value based on the operating state of the device. The processing means determines the power information based on the information indicating permission to perform power transmission and the power reception possible value. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. When there is no information indicating permission to perform power transmission or when the NFC tag cannot be detected by the reading means, the processing means determines power information for power limited to a predetermined value or less in the negotiation with the power transmission device. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that.

16. The detection means is a magnetic sensor. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

17. A control method for a device that can be used in combination with a corresponding product, A detection step of detecting that the device and the corresponding product are combined; A reading step of detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag included in the corresponding product and reading one or more pieces of tag information from the detected NFC tag; A processing step of switching a processing method for the one or more pieces of tag information read according to whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied and executing the processing. A control method characterized by the above.

18. A program for operating a computer as the device according to any one of Claims 1 to 16.

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