Communication device, control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication device capable of preventing ranging errors caused by the UWB communication function of a target communication device being disabled.SOLUTION: A communication device 101 includes a UWB communication unit 218 for performing UWB communication and a BLE communication unit 213 for performing BLE communication. The communication device 101 determines whether the UWB communication function of a target communication device 102 is enabled or disabled on the basis of information acquired from the target communication device 102 via BLE communication. When the UWB communication function of the target communication device 102 is determined to be enabled, the communication device 101 performs ranging with the target communication device 102 using a TWR-based ranging method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method for a communication device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] High-performance communication devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals are becoming widespread. Such communication devices are capable of wireless communication according to various communication standards, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra Wide Band (UWB). A communication device can measure the distance to another communication device, for example, by using these wireless communications. Patent Document 1 proposes a related technique. In Patent Document 1, a communication device acquires, via BLE communication, configuration information necessary for UWB communication from another communication device to be measured, and measures the distance to the other communication device via UWB communication using the acquired configuration information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-50385 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Distance measurement using UWB communication requires that the UWB communication function be enabled on both communication devices. However, since the UWB communication function can be enabled or disabled at the user's discretion, for example, if the UWB communication function of the other communication device to be measured is disabled, distance measurement using UWB communication cannot be performed.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a communication device, a control method for a communication device, and a program that can prevent ranging errors from occurring due to the UWB communication function of the communication device to be measured being disabled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the communication device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first communication means for performing wireless communication for ranging, a second communication means for performing communication using a communication standard different from the wireless communication, a determination means for determining whether a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured is enabled or disabled based on information obtained from the communication device to be measured using the second communication means, and a ranging means for measuring the distance between the communication device and the communication device to be measured using the first communication means when it is determined that the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured is enabled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of distance measurement errors caused by the UWB communication function of the communication device to be measured being disabled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a network diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system including a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the communication device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram for explaining distance measurement by UWB communication in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a control process executed by the communication device of FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the device registration process in S506 of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a BLE advertisement packet used in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distance measurement control process in S507 of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the distance measurement control process in S507 of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The best mode for carrying out the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal will be described as an example of a communication device, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a network diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system including a communication device 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] In FIG. 1, this communication system is composed of a communication device 101, a communication device 102, and a wireless LAN terminal 104. The communication devices 101 and 102 can communicate with each other via a LAN 103 and exchange various types of information. The wireless LAN terminal 104 is a wireless LAN access point with a general network router function, and provides wireless LAN communication via Wi-Fi within a building. Note that the communication device 101 is connected to the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 104 by enabling its Wi-Fi communication function. When the communication device 101 enters a wireless LAN area provided by the wireless LAN terminal 104, it can automatically join the network of the LAN 103 using pre-set authentication information.

[0012] In this embodiment, communication device 101 and communication device 102 respectively transmit wireless signals 105 and 106 by wireless communication in accordance with the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard (hereinafter referred to as "BLE communication"). A WPAN (wireless personal area network) is formed between devices whose wireless signals reach each other. Also, in this embodiment, communication device 101 and communication device 102 respectively transmit wireless signals 121 and 122 by wireless communication in accordance with the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) standard (hereinafter referred to as "UWB communication"). A WPAN is formed between devices whose wireless signals reach each other.

[0013] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration and software configuration of the communication device 101 and the communication device 102. In this embodiment, the communication device 101 and the communication device 102 have the same configuration, and the hardware configuration and software configuration will be described below using the communication device 101 as an example.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of communication device 101 in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, communication device 101 is assumed to be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, and an operating system for the terminal and programs for controlling calls and data communications may be running on the device.

[0015] 2, the communication device 101 includes a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a network controller 205, an audio control unit 206, a display control unit 207, an input control unit 208, a storage device 209, a position detection control unit 210, a direction detection control unit 219, and an acceleration detection control unit 220. These are communicably connected to each other via a system bus 201. The communication device 101 further includes a wireless LAN communication unit 211, a mobile phone data communication unit 212, a BLE communication unit 213, a microphone / speaker 214, a display 215, a touch panel 216, a GPS sensor 217, a UWB communication unit 218, a gyro sensor 221, and an acceleration sensor 222.

[0016] The CPU 202 executes programs stored in the ROM 203 to perform various controls. The ROM 203 stores an operating system (OS) program for the communication device 101, application programs for controlling calls and data communications, and the like. Examples of applications for controlling data communications include email software and web browsers. The RAM 204 is used as a work area for the CPU 202 and as a temporary data storage area. The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device that stores setting values ​​for various operation modes, operation logs, and the like that need to be retained even after the communication device 101 is restarted.

[0017] The network controller 205 controls communications by the wireless LAN communication unit 211, the mobile phone data communication unit 212, the BLE communication unit 213, and the UWB communication unit 218. The wireless LAN communication unit 211 is a module for participating in the network of the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 104. The mobile phone data communication unit 212 is a module for the communication device 101 to participate in a network provided by a mobile carrier. The BLE communication unit 213 is a module for forming a WPAN among peripheral devices that can reach each other via wireless signals via BLE communication. The UWB communication unit 218 is a module for forming a WPAN among peripheral devices that can reach each other via wireless signals via UWB communication, for performing distance measurement and data communication. Generally, when a device can participate in a wireless LAN network, the network controller 205 prioritizes a wireless LAN connection. When the communication device 101 leaves the wireless LAN network area, it is exclusively controlled to participate in a wireless communication network provided by a mobile carrier. However, in BLE communication and UWB communication, the communication functions can be independently controlled to achieve the purpose of communication.

[0018] The audio control unit 206 is used, for example, when a call application is activated and the user is making a call. Audio data is input and output via the microphone / speaker 214, and the audio control unit 206 acts as an intermediary between the audio data and the audio data control program.

[0019] The display control unit 207 controls information to be output on the display 215 of the communication device 101. The input control unit 208 controls information instructed by the user using the buttons or touch panel 216 of the communication device 101. The communication device 101 provides the user with network communication information and various types of information about the communication device 101 using the audio control unit 206, the display control unit 207, and the input control unit 208.

[0020] The position detection control unit 210 acquires position information of the communication device 101 from the GPS sensor 217 and provides this position information to the operating system. The direction detection control unit 219 acquires direction information of the communication device 101 from the gyro sensor 221 and provides this direction information to the operating system. The acceleration detection control unit 220 acquires acceleration information of the communication device 101 from the acceleration sensor 222 and provides this acceleration information to the operating system.

[0021] The communication device 101 uses the UWB communication unit 218 to perform ranging communication for measuring the distance between the communication device 101 and a communication device that supports UWB communication, such as the communication device 102. The UWB communication unit 218 supports at least TWR (Two Way Ranging) shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later, as a ranging communication method. The communication device 101 transmits a ranging request packet to a device that is the target of ranging, such as the communication device 102, via the UWB communication unit 218, and receives a ranging response packet from the device. The communication device 101 provides distance information calculated by data processing performed by the CPU 202 in accordance with the request timing expected by an application. In this embodiment, the communication device 101 can also provide distance information between the communication device 101 and other communication devices (not shown) that support UWB communication, in addition to the communication device 102 shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] Furthermore, when a ranging request is received from the communication device 102 or another communication device, the communication device 101 can also handle this request. For example, when the communication device 101 receives a ranging request packet in a TWR ranging communication method from the communication device 102, the communication device 101 transmits a ranging response packet to the communication device 102 in response to the ranging request packet.

[0023] In the present embodiment, communication device 101 is described as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, but communication device 101 is not limited to such a mobile terminal. For example, communication device 101 may be a personal computer that does not include audio control unit 206, microphone / speaker 214, position detection control unit 210, GPS sensor 217, direction detection control unit 219, gyro sensor 221, acceleration detection control unit 220, acceleration sensor 222, mobile phone data communication unit 212, etc. Furthermore, communication device 101 may be any communication device that includes at least a wireless communication function for performing distance measurement, such as a UWB communication function, and another communication function for performing communication in accordance with a communication standard different from the wireless communication function. For example, communication device 101 may be an image forming device such as a scanner, printer, or multifunction peripheral, or an imaging device such as a digital camera or digital video camera.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the communication device 101 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the communication device 101 includes, as software, a UI unit 301, an information processing search application 302, other applications 308, and a platform 310.

[0025] The platform 310 can be configured, for example, by a platform such as Google's Android (registered trademark) or Apple's iOS (registered trademark). The platform 310 includes a group of device drivers for controlling various hardware components, specifically a BLE communication control unit 305, a UWB communication control unit 306, and a WIFI communication control unit 311. The platform 310 provides applications running on the platform 310 with APIs for using various hardware components. For example, for BLE communication and UWB communication, APIs are provided that comply with Apple's "Neaby Interaction" and the "Common Service Management Layer (CSML) specification" standardized by the FiRa Consortium, an organization promoting the spread of UWB.

[0026] The UI unit 301 provides a user interface that allows the user to set functions specific to the application.

[0027] The information processing search application 302 is an application for measuring the distance to a device that is a distance measurement target in response to a user operation. The information processing search application 302 includes an information processing device search unit 303 and an information processing device storage unit 304. The information processing device search unit 303 has a function of searching for devices that can communicate with the communication device 101 within a WPAN that is capable of BLE communication and formed by a BLE communication control unit 305. As a search method, for example, there is a method of searching for devices that can communicate with the communication device 101 from network devices that are reachable on the LAN 103 in which the communication device 101 participates.

[0028] The information processing device storage unit 304 has a function of storing information about devices found by the search by the information processing device search unit 303. The device information includes, for example, individual identification information indicating that the device is a BLE communication device, UWB TAG information specific to the device (described later), and IP address information of the device used in Wi-Fi communication.

[0029] The UWB communication control unit 306 can return a ranging response packet to a ranging request packet received from an external device without requiring user operation. The UWB communication control unit 306 can also send a ranging request packet to a device to be measured in response to an instruction received from an application. The application can realize various functions by outputting distance information calculated by TWR ranging using a ranging response packet received from the device to be measured to the application. The UWB communication control unit 306 also controls enabling / disabling of the UWB communication function in response to user operation via the UI unit 301.

[0030] Next, distance measurement by UWB communication in this embodiment will be described.

[0031] 4 is a diagram for explaining distance measurement by UWB communication in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a method for measuring the distance between a TAG and an Anchor, which is specified in the IEEE802.15.4 group, is used. This method measures the distance by calculating the frame arrival time (ToA: Time Of Arrival) per unit distance based on the speed at which radio waves propagate through space.

[0032] Figure 4(a) shows the TWR ranging method, which transmits frames bidirectionally between the anchor and the tag. In the TWR ranging method, the anchor is the subject of ranging, and the tag is the target of ranging.

[0033] When measuring the distance to the TAG, the Anchor issues a POLL frame to the TAG, as shown in Figure 4(b). When the TAG receives the POLL frame and recognizes that it is addressed to itself, it waits a predetermined time (T reply ) has elapsed, a RESP frame is sent to the Anchor. This RESP frame contains the reply Value is assigned.

[0034] The Anchor that receives the RESP frame counts the time it takes from issuing the POLL frame to receiving the RESP frame (T round ) and the T included in the RESP frame reply The value is used to calculate the ToA, which is the time required to transmit the POLL frame and the RESP frame. Next, Anchor calculates the distance to the TAG from this ToA and the propagation speed of radio waves (speed of light).

[0035] In this embodiment, communication device 101 and communication device 102 each include a module capable of fulfilling the role of either TAG or Anchor in the above-described TWR ranging method, for example, the above-described UWB communication unit 218 and UWB communication control unit 306. With this configuration, communication device 101 and communication device 102 can measure the distance to each other, with one device fulfilling the role of Anchor and the other device fulfilling the role of TAG.

[0036] Next, a process will be described in which the communication device 101, which plays the role of Anchor, measures the distance between itself and the communication device 102, which plays the role of TAG.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of control processing executed by the communication device 101 of Fig. 1. The control processing of Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 202 reading a program stored in the ROM 203 or the like into the RAM 204 and executing the program. The control processing of Fig. 5 is executed, for example, when the communication device 101 receives an instruction from a user to start the information processing search application 302. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that the BLE communication function of the communication device 101 is enabled.

[0038] 5, first, the CPU 202 launches the information processing search application 302 in accordance with an instruction received from the user (S501). Next, the CPU 202 displays the top menu screen of FIG. 6(a) on the display 215 (S502). This top menu screen includes a device selection button 601, a distance measurement result display area 602, a device registration button 603, and a setting button 604. The device selection button 601 is a button for selecting a device to be measured. For example, if a device to be measured has not been selected, the device selection button 601 displays "Not Selected" as shown in FIG. 6(a). The distance measurement result display area 602 displays the distance measurement result for the device to be measured selected by the user. If a device to be measured has not been selected, the distance measurement result is displayed as "--" or the like as shown in FIG. 6(a). The device registration button 603 is a button for registering a candidate for the device to be measured. The setting button 604 is a button for setting whether the UWB communication function of the communication device 101 is enabled or disabled.

[0039] When the user presses any one of the device selection button 601, device registration button 603, and setting button 604 on the top menu screen, the CPU 202 determines which button the user pressed (S503).

[0040] If it is determined in S503 that the button pressed by the user is the setting button 604, the CPU 202 displays the setting screen of FIG. 6(b) on the display 215 (S504). This setting screen includes a toggle button 605 for enabling / disabling the UWB communication function of the communication device 101. The user can enable / disable the UWB communication function of the communication device 101 by operating the toggle button 605. Note that in this embodiment, when the communication device 101 plays the role of Anchor and measures the distance between it and a device playing the role of TAG using the above-mentioned TWR ranging method, it is necessary to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 101. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user has enabled the UWB communication function of the communication device 101.

[0041] Next, the CPU 202 stores the setting values ​​set by the user on this setting screen in the information processing device storage unit 304 or the like (S505), and ends this processing.

[0042] If it is determined in S503 that the button pressed by the user is the device registration button 603 for registering a candidate for a distance measurement target, the CPU 202 performs the device registration process shown in Fig. 7 (to be described later) (S506), after which this process ends.

[0043] If it is determined in S503 that the button pressed by the user is the device selection button 601 for selecting a device to be measured, the CPU 202 performs the distance measurement control process shown in Fig. 9 (described later) (S507), after which the process ends.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the device registration process in S506 of FIG.

[0045] 7, the CPU 202 displays the device search screen of FIG. 6(c) on the display 215 (S701). At this point, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the device search screen does not display any communication devices that are candidates for selection. Next, the CPU 202 receives a BLE advertisement packet transmitted from a communication device in the vicinity of the communication device 101 (S702).

[0046] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a BLE advertisement packet used in this embodiment. There are multiple formats of BLE advertisement packets, but in this embodiment, as an example, an advertisement packet in the Air Print Bluetooth Beacon format manufactured by Apple Inc. is transmitted. The BLE advertisement packet is radio beacon data that is broadcast as a so-called beacon signal, and is transmitted at intervals of several milliseconds to several seconds.

[0047] First, at the beginning of a BLE advertisement packet, there is a 1-byte preamble 801 that the BLE wireless element uses to time signal reading. Next, there is a 4-byte access address 802 into which a value indicating that this is a BLE advertisement packet is inserted. Next, there is a protocol data unit 805 consisting of a maximum of 39 bytes as the actual data area. However, the protocol data unit 805 consumes 2 bytes for a header 803 and 6 bytes for an advertiser's address 804. Therefore, the remaining 31 bytes constitute the advertiser's data 807. As an example of advertiser's data 807, the format of the AirPrint Bluetooth beacon will be described. First, there is a 9-byte header 808, which is a value common to all AirPrint Bluetooth beacons. Next, there is connection information 809 consisting of 1 byte, which indicates the IP address format and individual information of the communication device transmitting the BLE advertisement packet. Next, there is a 2-byte server or resource path 810 indicating the ID information of the communication device. Next, Port 811, which indicates the port number, is composed of 2 bytes. Next, IP address (IPv4 Address or IPv6 Address) 812 is composed of 16 bytes. Finally, TxPower 813, which indicates the signal strength of the beacon signal, is composed of 1 byte. At the end of the BLE advertisement packet, CRC 806, which is used to detect code errors, is composed of 3 bytes, and the above constitutes the entire BLE advertisement packet.

[0048] The configuration of the BLE advertisement packet is an example, and may include information other than the above information. For example, the BLE advertisement packet may include UWB TAG information and UWB communication setting information as a packet format that uses BLE communication as a secondary channel for information exchange required prior to UWB communication.

[0049] UWBTAG information consists of at least the PANID (Personal Area Network ID) specified in IEEE802.15.4, the packet source and destination addresses, and an IEEE802-compliant address that is uniquely assigned to each wireless terminal. PANID is ID information for identifying the UWB communication partner. UWBTAG information may also include information indicating a broadly defined UWB communication-compatible device. Furthermore, the GATT communication profile may include communication capability information and communication setting information required for UWB communication.

[0050] The communication protocols between communication device 101 and communication device 102 are controlled based on the Fira Consortium's "Common Service Management Layer" and Apple's "Nearby Interaction Protocol," which are defined on the basis of the IEEE802.15.4 standard. These communication protocol specifications use UWB tag information to identify the communication partner for UWB communication. These standards have in common the fact that, because UWB radio chips tend to consume more energy than other wireless technologies, they exchange information necessary for UWB communication, such as UWB communication capabilities, communication settings, and data required between applications, over a secondary channel (often BLE communication) to detect nearby UWB devices prior to UWB communication.

[0051] 7, the CPU 202 adds the device that is the source of the received BLE advertisement packet to the list on the device search screen (S703). In FIG. 6(d), as an example, three communication devices are added to the list on the device search screen as devices that are the source of the BLE advertisement packet.

[0052] Next, the CPU 202 determines whether the user has selected a communication device from the list on the device search screen (S704). The CPU 202 waits until the user has selected a communication device from the list on the device search screen. When the user selects, for example, the communication device 102 (YES in S704), the CPU 202 performs pairing to establish an authentication connection for performing BLE communication with the selected communication device 102 (S705).

[0053] Next, the CPU 202 exchanges information required for registration with the communication device 102 via GATT communication (S706). For example, the information acquired from the communication device 102 includes individual identification information indicating that the communication device 102 is a BLE communication device, UWB TAG information unique to the communication device 102, and IP address information of the communication device 102 used in Wi-Fi communication. Note that this information may be added to a BLE advertisement packet transmitted from the communication device 102. Next, the CPU 202 stores the acquired information in the information processing device storage unit 304 (S707), and ends this process. In this manner, in this embodiment, candidates for ranging targets are registered.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the distance measurement control process in S507 of FIG.

[0055] 9, the CPU 202 displays the device selection screen of FIG. 6(e) on the display 215 (S901). This device selection screen displays a list of communication devices registered as candidates for distance measurement in the device registration process described above. As an example, the device selection screen of FIG. 6(e) displays a list including three communication devices as candidates for distance measurement.

[0056] Next, the CPU 202 determines whether the user has selected a device to be the target of distance measurement from the list on the device selection screen (S902). The CPU 202 waits until the user has selected a device to be the target of distance measurement from the list on the device selection screen. When the user selects, for example, the communication device 102 as the target of distance measurement (YES in S902), the CPU 202 receives a BLE advertisement packet transmitted from the communication device 102 to be the target of distance measurement (S903).

[0057] Next, the CPU 202 performs pairing to establish an authenticated connection with the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement (S904), and establishes GATT communication with the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement (S905). Next, the CPU 202 transmits a status confirmation request to the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement via GATT communication (S906). The communication device 102 that has received the status confirmation request transmits a status response to the communication device 101. This status response includes, for example, information indicating whether the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is enabled or disabled.

[0058] Next, the CPU 202 receives a status response transmitted from the communication device 102 to be measured (S907), and determines whether the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is valid based on this status response (S908).

[0059] If it is determined in S908 that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is enabled, the process proceeds to S909. In S909, the CPU 202 transmits a ranging request packet to the communication device 102 based on the UWB tag information of the communication device 102 stored in the information processing device storage unit 304. This ranging request packet is a packet for performing ranging using the TWR ranging method described above, and corresponds to the POLL described above. This ranging request packet includes at least ranging request identification information, request source address information, request destination address information, and an IEEE802-compliant address. The communication device 102 that has received the ranging request packet performs the T reply After the lapse of time, the distance measurement response packet corresponding to the RESP frame described above is returned to the communication device 101.

[0060] The CPU 202 receives a ranging response packet from the communication device 102 to be measured (S910). Next, the CPU 202 calculates the distance to the communication device 102 based on this ranging response packet using the TWR ranging method described above (S911). Next, the CPU 202 switches the screen of the display 215 to the top menu screen, and displays the ranging result in the ranging result display area 602 on this top menu screen, as shown in FIG. 6(f) (S912). Thereafter, this process ends.

[0061] If it is determined in S908 that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is disabled, the CPU 202 performs control to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102. Specifically, the CPU 202 notifies the user that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is disabled (S913). For example, the CPU 202 switches the screen of the display 215 to a top menu screen. At this time, the communication device selected in S902 is in an unselected state, and the device selection button 601 on this top menu screen displays "Unselected." The CPU 202 also displays a pop-up 606 shown in FIG. 6(g) superimposed on the top menu screen. The pop-up 606 includes a message indicating that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is disabled and a message prompting the user to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102. In this embodiment, the pop-up 606 may be displayed superimposed on the device selection screen without switching the screen of the display 215 to the top menu screen.

[0062] Next, the CPU 202 suspends the distance measurement with the communication device 102 (S914) and ends this process.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is enabled, the distance between the communication device 101 and the communication device 102 to be measured is measured using the above-described TWR ranging method. That is, only when the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is enabled, the distance to this communication device 102 is measured using the above-described TWR ranging method. This makes it possible to prevent errors in distance measurement using the above-described TWR ranging method caused by the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured being disabled.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is disabled, control is performed to enable the UWB communication function of this communication device 102. This allows the communication device 102 to be placed in a state where distance measurement using the above-described TWR distance measurement method can be realized.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the control for enabling the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is a control for notifying a message indicating that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is disabled, thereby enabling the user to understand the reason why distance measurement cannot be performed with the communication device 102 to be measured.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a message indicating that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is disabled is displayed on the display 215 of the communication device 101. This makes it possible to make the user who has issued the instruction for measuring the distance aware that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured needs to be enabled.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a message indicating that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is disabled is displayed on the display 215 of the communication device 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the communication device 101 may perform control to display a message prompting the communication device 102 to be measured to enable the UWB communication function on the display of the communication device 102 to be measured. For example, in S913, the CPU 202 transmits, via BLE communication, an instruction to the communication device 102 to be measured to display a message prompting the communication device 102 to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102. Upon receiving this instruction, the communication device 102 displays, on its display, a message prompting the communication device 102 to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102. Displaying such a message on the display of the communication device 102 can notify the user operating the communication device 102 that another communication device (e.g., the communication device 101) cannot measure the distance to the communication device 102 because the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 is disabled.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, if it is determined in S908 that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is disabled, control may be performed to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the distance measurement control process of S507 in Fig. 5. Note that the distance measurement control process in Fig. 10 is similar to the distance measurement control process in Fig. 9 described above, and the following will particularly describe the contents that differ from the distance measurement control process in Fig. 9 described above.

[0070] 10, the above-described steps S901 to S908 are performed. If it is determined in step S908 that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is valid, the above-described steps S909 to S912 are performed, and the process ends.

[0071] If it is determined in S908 that the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement is disabled, the CPU 202 performs control to enable the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement. Specifically, the CPU 202 transmits a request to enable the UWB communication function to the communication device 102 that is the target of distance measurement (S1001). In response to the received enablement request, the communication device 102 changes the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to "enabled." This enables the communication device 101 to measure the distance to the communication device 102 using the TWR ranging method described above. After changing the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to "enabled," the communication device 102 transmits a response to the enablement request to the communication device 101.

[0072] Next, in S1002, the CPU 202 receives a response from the communication device 102. After that, the process proceeds to S909, where the distance to the communication device 102 that is the distance measurement target is measured using the TWR distance measurement method described above.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the control for enabling the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured is a control for changing the UWB communication function of the communication device 102 to be measured into a valid state, thereby enabling the communication device 102 to be measured to perform ranging using the above-described TWR ranging method.

[0074] In this embodiment, distance measurement by UI operation provided by the information processing search application 302 is described as an example, but a configuration may be adopted in which device information of the device to be measured and a distance measurement request are received from another application.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration for performing distance measurement using UWB communication has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration for performing distance measurement using wireless communication in accordance with other communication standards such as BLE.

[0076] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which BLE communication is used for communication to check the status of a device to be measured (for example, S906 and S907 described above), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which communication to check the status of a device to be measured is performed using wireless communication according to other communication standards such as Wi-Fi, or wired communication via a cable.

[0077] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0078] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A communication device comprising: a first communication means for performing wireless communication for distance measurement; a second communication means for performing communication using a communication standard different from the wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured is enabled or disabled based on information obtained from the communication device to be measured using the second communication means; and a distance measurement means for measuring the distance between the communication device and the communication device to be measured using the first communication means when it is determined that the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured is enabled. (Configuration 2) The communication device described in Configuration 1, further comprising a control means for performing control to enable the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement when it is determined that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement. (Configuration 3) The communication device described in Configuration 2, characterized in that the control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication is control for notifying that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be the target of the distance measurement. (Configuration 4) The communication device described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the control means displays a message on the display unit of the communication device indicating that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be measured. (Configuration 5) The communication device described in configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the control means controls the display of a message prompting the user to enable a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured on the display unit of the communication device to be measured. (Configuration 6) The communication device described in configuration 2, characterized in that the control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication is control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement. (Configuration 7) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the wireless communication is wireless communication conforming to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) standard. (Configuration 8) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the communication of a communication standard different from the wireless communication is wireless communication conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 101 Communication equipment 102 Communication equipment 202 CPU 213 BLE Communication Department 215 Display 218 UWB Communications Department 305 BLE communication control unit 306 UWB communication control unit

Claims

1. A communication device, a first communication means for performing wireless communication for distance measurement; a second communication means for performing communication according to a communication standard different from that of the wireless communication; a determination means for determining whether a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement is enabled or disabled based on information acquired from the communication device to be the target of distance measurement using the second communication means; A communication device characterized by having a distance measurement means that, when it is determined that the function for performing wireless communication is enabled in the communication device to be measured, measures the distance between the communication device and the communication device to be measured using the first communication means.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for performing control to enable the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured when it is determined that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be measured.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication is control for notifying that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be measured.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the control means causes a message indicating that the function for performing the wireless communication is disabled in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement to be displayed on a display unit of the communication device.

5. The communication device according to claim 3, characterized in that the control means controls the display of a message on the display unit of the communication device to be measured that prompts the user to enable a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be measured.

6. The communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication is control for enabling the function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of the distance measurement.

7. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is wireless communication conforming to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) standard.

8. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication of a communication standard different from the wireless communication is wireless communication conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard.

9. A control method for a communication device including a first communication means for performing wireless communication for distance measurement and a second communication means for performing communication using a communication standard different from that of the first communication means, determining whether a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement is enabled or disabled based on information acquired from the communication device to be the target of distance measurement using the second communication means; A control method for a communication device, characterized by comprising a step of measuring the distance between the communication device and the communication device to be measured using the first communication means when it is determined that the function for performing wireless communication is valid in the communication device to be measured.

10. 1. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a communication device including a first communication means for performing wireless communication for distance measurement and a second communication means for performing communication using a communication standard different from that of the first communication means, The control method for the communication device includes: determining whether a function for performing the wireless communication in the communication device to be the target of distance measurement is enabled or disabled based on information acquired from the communication device to be the target of distance measurement using the second communication means; A program characterized by having a process of measuring the distance between the communication device to be measured and the communication device to be measured using the first communication means when it is determined that the function for performing the wireless communication is valid in the communication device to be measured.

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