Communication apparatus, chip, and device

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus, a communication chip, and a communication device that have a relatively high success rate when communicating with a near field communication (NFC) device in a low power card detection (LPCD) mode.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus includes: a first NFC tag 310 for receiving radio frequency signals emitted by an active NFC device, emitting an excitation signal, and sensing and communicating with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device to transmit first information; and a controller 300 connected to the first NFC tag for controlling the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when it is determined, based on the radio frequency signals received by the first NFC tag and emitted from the active NFC device, that the active NFC device has not been woken up from an LPCD mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present specification relate to the field of short-range wireless communication technology, and in particular to communication devices, chips and equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] The emergence of Near Field Communication (NFC) provides a good technology roadmap for efficient contactless payment methods, allowing users to complete payment operations conveniently by bringing an NFC-enabled terminal device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, etc.) close to the NFC sensing area of ​​a similarly NFC-enabled payment device.

[0003] Currently, terminal devices with NFC functionality used by users generally operate in active mode during payment processes. To reduce power consumption, the terminal device typically enters a Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) mode after the NFC functionality is activated. However, when a terminal device in LPCD mode is placed close to a payment device to perform a payment operation, the success rate of completing communication interaction with the payment device and achieving the payment operation is relatively low.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an NFC device that has a relatively high success rate of communicating with devices in LPCD mode.

[0005] The contents of the background art section are merely information personally known to the inventors, and do not represent that the information has already entered the public domain prior to the filing date of this disclosure, nor does it represent that the information constitutes prior art to this disclosure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Embodiments herein provide communication devices, chips and devices that can have a relatively high success rate when communicating with devices in LPCD mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this specification adopt the following technical solutions.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present specification includes a first NFC tag used to receive a radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device and emit an excitation signal, and to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device to transmit first information; and a controller connected to the first NFC tag for controlling the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag determines, based on the radio frequency signal received by the active NFC device, that the active NFC device has not been woken up from an LPCD mode.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first NFC tag includes a first NFC chip, a sampling circuit, and a first antenna, the first antenna is connected to each of the first NFC chip and the sampling circuit, the sampling circuit is connected to the controller, the sampling circuit is used to receive radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna, the first NFC chip is connected to the controller, the first NFC chip is used to emit the excitation signal via the first antenna and to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, and the first information is written on the first NFC chip.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first antenna is connected to the first NFC chip via a matching circuit, which is used to match the resonant frequency of the first antenna to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first antenna includes a ground terminal for grounding the first antenna.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the frequency band of the excitation signal includes the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, and the width of the frequency band is less than or equal to a preset value.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the device further includes a second NFC tag, which has signal amplification capabilities and is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device to transmit the first information.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the second NFC tag includes a second NFC chip and a second antenna connected to each other, the second NFC chip is connected to the controller, the second NFC chip is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, and the second NFC chip has the first information written thereon.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the second NFC chip has active load modulation capabilities.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the second NFC tag further includes an amplifier, the second NFC chip and the second antenna are connected via the amplifier, and the amplifier is used to amplify the signal output by the second NFC chip.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the resonant frequency of the second antenna is matched to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the first NFC tag are placed overlapping each other, and the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the second NFC tag are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0019] In one possible implementation, one side of the antenna of the first NFC tag is used to sense the active NFC device in proximity, and the antenna of the second NFC tag is located on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the device further includes at least one third NFC tag, a part of the antenna of the at least one third NFC tag being coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and another part extending outward, the at least one third NFC tag being used to expand the area of ​​the region in which radio frequency signals can be sensed between the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and the active NFC device.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the at least one third NFC tag includes a third NFC chip and a third antenna connected to each other, the third NFC chip is connected to the controller, the third NFC chip is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, the third NFC chip has the first information written on it, and a part of the third antenna is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another part extends outward.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the resonant frequency of the third antenna is matched to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the at least one third NFC tag includes a fourth antenna, a part of which is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and another part of which extends outward, and a resonant frequency of the fourth antenna is matched to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the controller is specifically used to control the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device received by the first NFC tag is lower than a preset threshold.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the controller is specifically used to control the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag receives a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and the first information is not read.

[0026] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present specification provide a communication chip for use in a communication device, the communication chip including an apparatus according to the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0027] According to a third aspect, embodiments herein provide a communication device, the communication device including the apparatus according to the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the communication device, chip, and device according to the present specification can receive radio frequency signals emitted by an active NFC device through an installed first NFC tag, emit an excitation signal, and sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device. Therefore, when the active NFC device is close to the communication device, the first NFC tag can receive the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, which facilitates the controller to determine whether the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and not woken up based on the received radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device. Furthermore, the communication device can, by the controller, excite the active NFC device with an excitation signal when the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and not woken up, and use the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal so that the active NFC device is woken up from LPCD mode and converted to standard mode, facilitating the active NFC device to re-communicate with the communication device in standard mode. In this way, by quickly waking up an active NFC device in LPCD mode that is close to this communication device, it is possible to avoid the problem of the active NFC device not being woken up and communication with this communication device failing, and to improve the success rate when this communication device communicates with the active NFC device.

[0029] Other features of the communication device, chip and device according to the present specification are partially listed in the following specification. The inventive aspects of the communication device, chip and device according to the present specification can be fully understood by practicing or using the embodiments described in the following detailed examples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a first NFC tag according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of another first NFC tag according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a second NFC tag according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of another second NFC tag according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first antenna and a second antenna according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a third NFC tag according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna according to an embodiment of the present specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The following description provides specific application scenarios and requirements of the present specification, with the aim of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the content herein. Various local modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present specification. Therefore, the present specification is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may include the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise," "including," and / or "containing" mean the presence of associated integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or assemblies, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, assemblies, and / or groups, or that other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, assemblies, and / or groups can be added to the system / method.

[0033] These and other features of the present invention, and the operation and function of the associated elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, can be clearly improved upon in consideration of the following description. Reference is made to the drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the scope of this specification. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0034] As used herein, flowcharts illustrate operations performed by systems according to some embodiments herein. It should be clearly understood that the operations in the flowcharts do not have to be performed sequentially. Conversely, the operations may be performed in reverse order or simultaneously. It should be noted that one or more other operations may be added to the flowcharts. One or more operations may be removed from the flowcharts.

[0035] As used herein, "X includes at least one of A, B, or C" means that X includes at least A, or X includes at least B, or X includes at least C. That is, X may include only one of A, B, or C, or may include any combination of A, B, and C and other possible contents / elements simultaneously. The any combination of A, B, and C may be A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC.

[0036] In this specification, unless otherwise clearly stated, a relationship between structures may be a direct relationship or an indirect relationship. For example, when describing "A is connected to B," it should be understood that A may be directly connected to B or indirectly connected to B, unless otherwise clearly stated that A is directly connected to B. Furthermore, when describing "A is above B," it should be understood that A may be directly above B or indirectly above B (there are other elements separated between A and B, and A is above B), unless otherwise clearly stated that A is above B (A and B are adjacent and A is above B). Analogies can be made based on this.

[0037] An embodiment of the present specification provides a communication device. The communication device may be used in a scenario where it senses an active NFC device in proximity to its sensing area (generally an antenna coverage area) and communicates with the active NFC device. Here, the communication device may be an NFC device operating in a passive mode such that information is read / written by the active NFC device by passively responding to radio frequency signals emitted by other active NFC devices. The active NFC device may also be an NFC device operating in an active mode such that it emits radio frequency signals as a card reader to identify and read NFC devices or devices in passive mode. The active NFC device may be a dedicated NFC device or another electronic device with NFC functionality, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or television with NFC functionality.

[0038] The communication device may be used in scenarios involving NFC technology such as NFC technology payment, NFC technology food ordering, NFC technology information transmission, and NFC technology device connection.

[0039] Take a payment scenario using NFC technology as an example. In this case, the communication device can interact with an active NFC device as a passive NFC device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1(a), when a user needs to make a payment, the user can bring their mobile phone 101 with an NFC function (i.e., the mobile phone with an NFC function is an active NFC device) close to a device (or tag) 102 equipped with a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification, which is installed by a store. The device 102 can then detect the user's mobile phone 101 through the communication device and communicate with it to transmit payment information. Then, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the user's mobile phone 101 can display a corresponding payment page based on the payment information. After the user performs a payment operation on the payment page based on the payment page (e.g., the user clicks on the payment control "Confirm Payment" displayed on the payment page) and completes the payment, the user's mobile phone 101 can display a payment completion interface, as shown in FIG. 1(c), thereby completing the payment to the merchant.

[0040] Also, take a scenario of ordering food using NFC technology as an example. In this case, the communication device can interact with an active NFC device as a passive NFC device. For example, as shown in FIG. 2(a), when a user needs to order food, he or she can bring his or her NFC-enabled mobile phone 201 (i.e., the NFC-enabled mobile phone is the active NFC device) close to a device (or tag) 202 including a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification, which is installed on a dining table. This allows the device 202 to detect the user's mobile phone 201 through the communication device and communicate with it to transmit food order information. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the user's mobile phone 201 can display a corresponding food order page based on the food order information. After the user completes the meal ordering operation on this meal ordering page on the mobile phone 201 (for example, after the user selects "Meal 1" and "Meal 3" on the meal ordering page and then clicks the control "Confirm Selection" to confirm the meal order), the user's mobile phone 201 will display a meal order completion interface, as shown in (c) of Figure 2, so that the user can conveniently complete the meal ordering operation.

[0041] The communication device according to the present specification may be used in various devices to perform NFC communication as a communication device. Devices to which this communication device can be applied include payment devices used in payment scenarios, meal ordering devices used in meal ordering scenarios, and other devices requiring NFC capabilities, such as various terminal devices requiring NFC capabilities, and are not limited thereto. The manner in which this communication device is used in a device may include implementing the communication device as a corresponding circuit and disposing it in the device, or packaging the communication device as a chip and disposing it in the device as a communication chip, and are not limited thereto. When the communication device is packaged as a chip, it may be packaged in another communication chip or as an independent chip, and are not limited thereto.

[0042] It should be noted that the terminal device may be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a smart TV, a wearable device, a tablet PC (Pad), a computer with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal device.

[0043] Of course, in some other possible embodiments of the examples herein, the communication device may be configured as a standalone device, for example, the communication device may be packaged and used as an NFC card or tag.

[0044] Hereinafter, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device may include a first NFC tag 310 and a controller 300.

[0047] Here, the first NFC tag 310 may be used to receive radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, emit an excitation signal, and sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device to transmit the first information. The controller 300 is connected to the first NFC tag 310, and is used to control the first NFC tag 310 to emit the excitation signal when it determines that the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device received by the first NFC tag 310.

[0048] Here, the first information may be payment information in the payment scenario described above, or meal order information in the meal ordering scenario, and this first information may be adaptively configured according to the specific application scenario.

[0049] It should be noted that an active NFC device, as a card reader, can emit radio frequency signals to identify and read an NFC device or apparatus in a passive mode, while the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification may be a device that operates in a passive mode and passively responds and communicates under the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, so as to transmit first information to the active NFC device and allow the active NFC device to perform a corresponding operation based on the first information.

[0050] To save power, active NFC devices typically enter LPCD mode a short time after activating the NFC function. In this LPCD mode, the amplitude of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device is reduced compared to standard mode. The active NFC device is woken up from LPCD mode and enters standard mode only when the change in intensity of the radio frequency signal received by the active NFC device and sensed by an NFC device or device in passive mode brought close to it is equal to or greater than a preset threshold.

[0051] Here, the connection between the controller 300 and the first NFC tag 310 may be an electrical connection to enable the controller 300 to control the first NFC tag 310 and to transmit information between the first NFC tag 310 and the controller 300.

[0052] For this communication device, when an active NFC device approaches the communication device and emits a radio frequency signal to perform card detection, the communication device can receive the radio frequency signal via the first NFC tag 310 and transmit the radio frequency signal to the controller 300. The controller 300 can then determine whether the active NFC device has been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signal. If the determination is YES, the controller 300 may control the first NFC tag 310 to emit an excitation signal so that the active NFC device can sense the excitation signal. The intensity of the excitation signal may be superimposed on an intensity change that occurs after the first NFC tag 310 senses the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, and the intensity change after superposition may be higher than a threshold for waking up the active NFC device from the LPCD mode, waking up the active NFC device. This facilitates the active NFC device to re-identify and communicate with the communication device in standard mode.

[0053] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present specification, the frequency band of the excitation signal may be set to a frequency band that includes the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and has a width equal to or less than a predetermined value, so that the excitation signal can better wake up the active NFC device in the LPCD mode. For example, if the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device is 13.56 MHz, the frequency band of the excitation signal may be set to a frequency band near 13.56 MHz, such as a 12 MHz to 14 MHz frequency band. Of course, in practical applications, the smaller the width of the frequency band of the excitation signal (i.e., the closer the frequency of the excitation signal is to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device), the better the wake-up effect of the excitation signal on the active NFC device, and the frequency band of the excitation signal may be set according to actual circumstances.

[0054] In one possible embodiment, the controller 300 may determine that the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device by determining that the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device is lower than a preset threshold. That is, the controller 300 may control the first NFC tag 310 to emit an excitation signal when the strength of the radio frequency signal received by the active NFC device is lower than a preset threshold. Here, the preset threshold may be lower than the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in standard mode and higher than the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in LPCD mode. Of course, in practical applications, the preset threshold may be set equal to the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in standard mode or equal to the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in LPCD mode. The specific value of the preset threshold may be set according to the above range according to actual circumstances and is not limited thereto. It should be noted that if the preset threshold is a value lower than the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in standard mode, in actual application, the controller 300 may determine that the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode when it determines that the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device is equal to the preset threshold.

[0055] In another possible embodiment, when the first NFC tag 310 receives a radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device, the controller 300 may determine, based on the radio frequency signal, that there is an active NFC device in proximity to the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification. If the information (e.g., first information) contained in the first NFC tag 310 and communicable with the active NFC device is not read, it can be determined that the NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode, has not successfully detected the first NFC tag 310, communication between the active NFC device and the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification has failed, and the active NFC device has not read the first information from the first NFC tag 310. Therefore, the manner in which the controller 300 determines that the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device may be that the controller 300 determines that the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode when it determines that the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device has been received and information (e.g., the first information) of the first NFC tag 310 has not been read. That is, the controller 300 may control the first NFC tag 310 to emit an excitation signal when the first NFC tag 310 receives the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and information (e.g., the first information) that the first NFC tag 310 can communicate with the active NFC device has not been read.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present specification, the first NFC tag 310 in the communication device can realize the function of receiving the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and the function of emitting an excitation signal by installing a radio frequency emitting circuit and a radio frequency receiving circuit, and can realize the function of storing the first information and the function of detecting and communicating with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device by installing an NFC chip containing the first information.

[0057] Of course, in the embodiment of the present specification, the first NFC tag 310 can also realize the function of receiving the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device by installing a sampling circuit.

[0058] 4, the first NFC tag 310 may include a first NFC chip 311, a sampling circuit 312, and a first antenna 313. Here, the first antenna 313 may be connected to each of the first NFC chip 311 and the sampling circuit 312. Meanwhile, the sampling circuit 312 may be connected to the controller 300, and the first NFC chip 311 may also be connected to the controller 300.

[0059] Here, the sampling circuit 312 may be a voltage sampling circuit and / or a current sampling circuit. The sampling circuit 312 can receive the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device by acquiring the voltage and / or current generated after the first antenna 313 senses the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device. Thus, the first NFC tag 310 can receive the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna 313 through the sampling circuit 312 and transmit the radio frequency signal to the controller 300 through the sampling circuit 312. This makes it easy for the controller 300 to determine whether the active NFC device has been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signal.

[0060] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present specification, the first antenna 313 may be provided with a terminal for connecting to the sampling circuit 312 and the first NFC chip 311, and may also be provided with a ground terminal for grounding the first antenna 313. This can eliminate some noise in the signal sensed by the first antenna 313, improve the quality of the radio frequency signal received by the sampling circuit 312, and facilitate the controller 300 to better determine whether the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode based on the received radio frequency signal.

[0061] As an example, the first NFC chip 311 may be an NFC chip that simultaneously has an active mode and a passive mode, whereby the first NFC tag 310 can use the active mode of the first NFC chip 311 to emit an excitation signal via the first antenna 313, and can use the passive mode of the first NFC chip 311 to sense a radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device, communicate with the active NFC device, and transmit the first information. The first information can be written to the first NFC chip 311 accordingly.

[0062] By adopting the above method to enable the first NFC tag 310 to receive radio frequency signals and emit excitation signals, and to sense and communicate with the radio frequency signals of the active NFC device to transmit the first information, the structure is relatively simple, and the first NFC tag 310 can be easily integrated and miniaturized.

[0063] Illustratively, in the embodiments herein, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310, such as the first antenna 313, may be a frequency that matches (e.g., the same as or close to) the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, thereby facilitating the first NFC tag 310 to better receive and sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0064] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz, so the tuned frequency of the first antenna 313 may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0065] 5, in a first NFC tag 310, a matching circuit 314 may be connected between a first antenna 313 and a first NFC chip 311, and the matching circuit 314 may adjust the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 to a corresponding frequency. The matching circuit 314 may be a circuit including a capacitance, so that the matching circuit 314 and the first antenna 313 form an LC circuit. In this case, the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 is related to the inductance of the first antenna 313 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit 314. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 may be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit 314 so as to tune the first antenna 313 to a corresponding frequency.

[0066] Optionally, as shown in Figure 6, the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification may further include a second NFC tag 320. This second NFC tag 320 may be connected to the controller 300.

[0067] Here, the second NFC tag 320 may be an NFC tag with signal amplification capability, thereby enabling the second NFC tag 320 to sense the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, communicate with it, and transmit the first information. That is, by communicating with the active NFC device using a stronger signal via the second NFC tag 320 and transmitting the same information (i.e., the first information) as the first NFC tag 310, the signal strength and signal coverage when the communication device communicates with the active NFC device and transmits the first information can be improved, thereby further improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0068] For example, the second NFC tag 320 may achieve signal amplification by employing an NFC chip with signal amplification capability, or by installing an amplifier or an amplification circuit, and is not limited thereto.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , in one possible embodiment, the second NFC tag 320 may include a second NFC chip 321 and a second antenna 322 connected to each other. Here, the second NFC chip 321 may be connected to the controller 300 shown in FIG. 6 , and the first information may be written on the second NFC chip 321. This allows the second NFC tag 320 to sense a radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device via the second antenna 322, and to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device via the second NFC chip 321, thereby transmitting the first information. That is, the first information may be written on the second NFC chip 321, and the second NFC chip 321 may be operated in a passive mode by the controller 300. Of course, the second NFC chip 321 may be an NFC chip that only supports the passive mode, and this is not a limitation.

[0070] The second NFC chip 321 may be an NFC chip with active load modulation capability, thereby realizing the signal amplification capability of the second NFC tag 320 through the second NFC chip 321. Here, the NFC chip with active load modulation capability can sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and then actively emit a subcarrier carrying first information based on the radio frequency signal of the active NFC device, thereby facilitating the active NFC device to receive the subcarrier and complete the communication to transmit information. Because the NFC chip with active load modulation capability can actively emit a subcarrier, the signal strength of the subcarrier can be higher than the strength of a subcarrier generated passively in response to the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, thereby realizing signal amplification in the communication process between the NFC chip and the active NFC device.

[0071] For example, as another possible embodiment, based on the second NFC tag 320 shown in FIG. 7 , as shown in FIG. 8 , the second NFC tag 320 may further include an amplifier 323 connected between the second NFC chip 321 and the second antenna 322. That is, the second NFC chip 321 and the second antenna 322 may be connected via the amplifier 323. The amplifier 323 may be a signal amplifier or may be called a power amplifier, and may amplify the signal output by the second NFC chip 321 and emit it through the second antenna 322, thereby realizing the signal amplification capability of the second NFC tag 320. Here, the selection and specific arrangement manner of the amplifier 323 may be set according to actual circumstances and are not limited thereto, as long as it can amplify the signal output by the second NFC chip 321.

[0072] Illustratively, in embodiments herein, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, such as the second antenna 322, may be matched to (e.g., the same as or close to) the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, thereby facilitating the second NFC tag 320 to better sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0073] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz, so the tuned frequency of the second antenna 322 may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0074] In practical application, as one possible embodiment, a matching circuit may be connected between the second antenna 322 and the second NFC chip 321, and the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 may be adjusted to a corresponding frequency by the matching circuit. This matching circuit may be a circuit including a capacitance, so that the matching circuit and the second antenna 322 form an LC circuit. In this case, the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 is related to the inductance of the second antenna 322 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit, so that the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 may be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit, so as to tune the second antenna 322 to a corresponding frequency.

[0075] 9 , in the embodiment of the present specification, the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., the second antenna 322) may be installed so as to overlap with the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., the first antenna 313). The antenna of the second NFC tag 320 and the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 may be spaced apart by a preset distance. This preset distance may be set according to actual circumstances to reduce mutual inductance interference between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, and may be, for example, 1 cm, or another distance greater than or less than 1 cm.

[0076] In this way, by arranging the antennas in an overlapping manner, the occupied area of ​​the antenna arrangement can be saved, thereby reducing the space occupied by the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification and facilitating miniaturization of the communication device. Furthermore, by allowing the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 to be overlapped and coupled, the load when the active NFC device detects this communication device can be increased, making it easier for the active NFC device to be woken up from LPCD mode, and improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device. Furthermore, the spacing between the antennas of the two NFC tags can reduce mutual inductance interference between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320.

[0077] Optionally, in practical applications, as still shown in FIG. 9 , one side of the antenna (e.g., first antenna 313) of the first NFC tag 310 may be used to sense a nearby active NFC device. The antenna (e.g., second antenna 322) of the second NFC tag 320 may be located on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (i.e., the side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 that is away from the active NFC device). Because the second NFC tag 320 has signal amplification capabilities, locating the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 can save the area occupied by the antenna arrangement and at the same time ensure the normal performance of the second NFC tag 320 and the first NFC tag 310.

[0078] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 10, the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification may further include at least one third NFC tag 330 (two third NFC tags are shown in the figure as an example). The third NFC tag 330 may or may not be connected to the controller 300, and is not limited thereto.

[0079] Here, a portion of the antenna of the third NFC tag 330 may be coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320, and another portion may extend outward. This third NFC tag 330 expands the area in which radio frequency signals can be sensed between the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320 and the active NFC device, i.e., expands the coverage of the area in which the communication device according to the embodiment of the present specification senses the active NFC device. This improves the compatibility of the communication device with various active NFC devices with different antenna positions and improves the success rate of communication and information transmission between the communication device and the active NFC device. Furthermore, by increasing the load when the active NFC device senses the communication device in addition to the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320 through the antenna of the third NFC tag 330, the active NFC device is more likely to be woken up from LPCD mode.

[0080] For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the third NFC tag 330 may include a third NFC chip 331 and a third antenna 332 connected to each other. Here, the third NFC chip 331 may be connected to the controller 300 shown in FIG. 10 , and the first information may be written in the third NFC chip 331. As a result, the third NFC tag 330 can sense a radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device via the third antenna 332, and can sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device via the third NFC chip 331 to transmit the first information. That is, the first information can be written in the third NFC chip 331, and the third NFC chip 331 can be operated in passive mode by the controller 300. Of course, the third NFC chip 331 may be an NFC chip that supports only passive mode, and this is not a limitation. In this way, the third NFC tag 330 can expand the coverage of the area in which the communication device senses the active NFC device, and at the same time, can also sense the active NFC device, communicate with it to transmit the first information, and improve the success rate of communicating and transmitting information between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0081] Of course, in embodiments herein, the third NFC tag 330 may not include an NFC chip, for example, the third NFC tag 330 may include a fourth antenna, thereby using the fourth antenna as a relay to expand the area of ​​the region where radio frequency signals can be sensed by the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320 and the active NFC device, respectively.

[0082] In some other possible embodiments, following the above example, some of the third NFC tags 330 may be configured to include a third NFC chip 331 and a third antenna 332, and another part may be configured to include a fourth antenna.

[0083] Illustratively, in the embodiments herein, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the third NFC tag 330, the third antenna 332 as described above, or the fourth antenna may be a frequency that matches (e.g., the same as or close to) the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, thereby facilitating the third NFC tag 330 to better sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

[0084] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by an active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz, so the tuned frequency of the third antenna 332 or the fourth antenna may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0085] In practical applications, as one possible embodiment, a matching circuit may be connected between the third antenna 332 and the third NFC chip 331, and the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 may be adjusted to a corresponding frequency by the matching circuit. This matching circuit may be a circuit including a capacitance, whereby the matching circuit and the third antenna 332 form an LC circuit. In this case, the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 is related to the inductance of the third antenna 332 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 may be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit so as to tune the third antenna 332 to a corresponding frequency. Alternatively, a matching circuit may be provided connected to the fourth antenna, and the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna may be adjusted to a corresponding frequency by the matching circuit. This matching circuit may be a circuit including a capacitance, whereby the matching circuit and the fourth antenna form an LC circuit. In this case, the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna is related to the inductance of the fourth antenna and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit, and therefore the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna may be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit to tune the fourth antenna to the corresponding frequency.

[0086] For example, the antenna of the third NFC tag 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320 and have another portion extending outward, or each of the antennas of the third NFC tags 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and have another portion extending outward. Alternatively, each of the antennas of the third NFC tags 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 and have another portion extending outward. Alternatively, each of the antennas of the third NFC tags 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 at the same time and have another portion extending outward. Alternatively, some of the third NFC tags 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and have another portion extending outward, and some of the third NFC tags 330 may be partially coupled to the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 and have another portion extending outward.

[0087] For example, the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., the first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., the second antenna 322) are installed overlapping each other, and two third NFC tags 330 are installed, and the antenna of each third NFC tag 330 (e.g., the third antenna 332 or the fourth antenna; hereinafter, the third antenna 332 will be used as an example) is partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 at the same time, and another part extends outward. As shown in FIG. 12 , the antennas of the two third NFC tags 330 (e.g., third antenna 332) are located between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322), respectively, and the antennas of the two third NFC tags 330 (e.g., third antenna 332) are coplanar, and a portion of each may be coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322), with the remaining portion extending outside the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322). In this way, the antenna of the third NFC tag 330 simultaneously relays the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, thereby simultaneously expanding the area in which the first NFC tag 310 senses radio frequency signals from an active NFC device and the area in which the second NFC tag 320 senses radio frequency signals from an active NFC device, thereby improving the sensing sensitivity of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320 to active NFC devices.

[0088] The communication device in the above embodiment can receive radio frequency signals emitted by active NFC devices and emit excitation signals through the installed first NFC tag 310, and can sense and communicate with the active NFC devices based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC devices. Therefore, when an active NFC device approaches the communication device, the first NFC tag 310 can receive the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC devices, which facilitates the controller 300 to determine whether the active NFC device is in the LPCD mode and has not been woken up based on the received radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC devices. Furthermore, the communication device can excite the active NFC device with an excitation signal when the active NFC device is in the LPCD mode and has not been woken up, and use the first NFC tag 310 to emit the excitation signal so that the active NFC device is woken up from the LPCD mode and converted to the standard mode, facilitating the active NFC device to re-communicate with the communication device in the standard mode. In this way, by quickly waking up an active NFC device in LPCD mode that is close to this communication device, it is possible to avoid the problem of the active NFC device not being woken up and communication with this communication device failing, and to improve the success rate when this communication device communicates with the active NFC device.

[0089] Corresponding to the communication device in the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present specification further provides a communication chip. This communication chip may include the communication device in the above embodiment, and may be used in a communication device so that the communication device can detect an active NFC device when the active NFC device is in proximity and communicate with it to transmit information. Then, the communication device can wake up the active NFC device with an excitation signal when the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode, thereby improving the success rate of communication with the active NFC device.

[0090] Furthermore, embodiments of the present specification further provide a communication device, which may include the communication device in the above-described embodiments. The communication device may be disposed on the communication device in the form of the above-described communication chip, or may be disposed on the communication device in other NFC implementation forms, such as a module form, a card form, a tag form, or a printed circuit form, without being limited thereto. The communication device can detect an active NFC device when it is in proximity and communicate with it to transmit information. Furthermore, the communication device can wake up the active NFC device using an excitation signal when the active NFC device has not been woken up from the LPCD mode, thereby improving the success rate of communication with the active NFC device.

[0091] In summary, after reading this detailed disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing detailed disclosure may be provided by way of example only and is not limiting. Although not expressly described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present specification must include various reasonable changes, improvements, and modifications to the embodiments. These changes, improvements, and modifications are proposed by this specification and are within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present specification.

[0092] It should be noted that some terms in this specification have already been used to describe embodiments of this specification. For example, "one embodiment," "embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in this embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this specification when combined. Therefore, it should be emphasized and understood that two or more references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "alternative embodiment" in various parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. It should be noted that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments of this specification.

[0093] It should be understood that in the above description of the embodiments of this specification, in order to simplify the specification and to facilitate understanding of a single feature, this specification combines various features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this does not mean that the combination of these features is required, and those skilled in the art will be able to fully understand some of the devices contained therein as a single embodiment when reading this specification. In other words, the embodiments in this specification may be understood as a combination of multiple sub-embodiments. However, the content of each sub-embodiment may be valid even when it contains fewer than all the features of a single previously disclosed embodiment.

[0094] Each patent, patent application, patent application publication, and other material, such as articles, books, specifications, publications, documents, articles, etc., referenced herein is hereby incorporated by reference. All content for all purposes, now or hereafter incorporated, except for any legal document history related thereto, any legal document history that may be inconsistent with or in conflict with the present specification, or any legal document history that may have a limiting effect on the broadest scope of any claim. By way of example, in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the description, definition, and / or use of a term associated with any incorporated material and the term, description, definition, and / or use associated with the present specification, the term in the present specification controls.

[0095] Finally, it should be understood that the implementations of the application disclosed in this specification are intended to illustrate the principles of the implementations of the specification. Other modified embodiments are also within the scope of the specification. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting. Those skilled in the art can adopt alternative configurations based on the embodiments herein to implement the application of the specification. Therefore, the embodiments of the specification are not limited to the embodiments precisely described in the application.

Claims

1. a first near field communication NFC tag used to receive radio frequency signals emitted by an active NFC device, emit an excitation signal, and sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device to transmit first information; a controller connected to the first NFC tag for controlling the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag determines, based on a radio frequency signal received by the first NFC tag and emitted by the active NFC device, that the active NFC device has not been woken up from a low power card detect LPCD mode.

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first NFC tag includes a first NFC chip, a sampling circuit, and a first antenna, the first antenna connected to each of the first NFC chip and the sampling circuit, the sampling circuit connected to the controller, the sampling circuit used to receive a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna, the first NFC chip connected to the controller, the first NFC chip used to emit the excitation signal via the first antenna and to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, and the first information is written on the first NFC chip.

3. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first antenna is connected to the first NFC chip via a matching circuit, the matching circuit being used to match a resonant frequency of the first antenna to a frequency of a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first antenna includes a ground terminal for grounding the first antenna.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the frequency band of the excitation signal includes frequencies of radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, and the width of the frequency band is less than or equal to a preset value.

6. the device further comprises a second NFC tag; 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second NFC tag has signal amplification capabilities and is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device to convey the first information.

7. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second NFC tag includes a second NFC chip and a second antenna connected to each other, the second NFC chip is connected to the controller, the second NFC chip is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, and the second NFC chip has the first information written thereon.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the second NFC chip has active load modulation capability.

9. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second NFC tag further includes an amplifier, the second NFC chip and the second antenna are connected via the amplifier, and the amplifier is used to amplify the signal output by the second NFC chip.

10. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the resonant frequency of the second antenna is matched to a frequency of a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

11. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the first NFC tag are installed overlapping each other, and the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the second NFC tag are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

12. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein one side of the antenna of the first NFC tag is used to sense the active NFC device in proximity, and the antenna of the second NFC tag is located on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag.

13. 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising at least one third NFC tag, a portion of the antenna of which is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and another portion of which extends outward, the third NFC tag being used to expand the area of ​​a region in which radio frequency signals can be sensed between the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and the active NFC device.

14. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one third NFC tag includes a third NFC chip and a third antenna connected to each other, the third NFC chip is connected to the controller, the third NFC chip is used to sense and communicate with the active NFC device based on radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device, the third NFC chip has the first information written thereon, and a portion of the third antenna is coupled to an antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and another portion extends outward.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the resonant frequency of the third antenna is matched to a frequency of a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

16. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one third NFC tag includes a fourth antenna, a portion of the fourth antenna coupled to an antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and another portion extending outward, and a resonant frequency of the fourth antenna matched to a frequency of a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device.

17. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is specifically used for controlling the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device received by the first NFC tag is lower than a preset threshold.

18. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is specifically used for controlling the first NFC tag to emit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag receives a radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and the first information is not read.

19. A communications chip for use in a communications device, the communications chip including the communications device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A communication device comprising a communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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