Signal processing device, method, and program

Abstract

The present technology relates to a signal processing device and method, and a program that enable a communication distance to be extended while suppressing a signal delay in non-contact communication. The signal processing device filters a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna and transmits the filtered signal to a card, which is a non-contact communication device, via a second antenna. Further, the signal processing device filters the signal received from the card via the second antenna and transmits the filtered signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna. The present technology can be applied to a communication system that uses non-contact communication.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a signal processing device, method, and program, and more particularly to a signal processing device, method, and program that can extend the communication distance while suppressing signal delay in contactless communication. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a device that amplifies a carrier (carrier wave) of contactless communication from an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as R / W) to a card, thereby extending the communication distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-215865 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the device described in Patent Document 1 performs buffering and digital signal processing, it takes a long time for the card to receive the signal sent from the R / W and for the R / W to receive the response sent from the card.

[0005] The present technology has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes it possible to extend the communication distance in contactless communication while suppressing signal delays. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present technology includes a signal processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna, transmits the signal to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna, and performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna, and transmits the signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna.

[0007] In one aspect of the present technology, a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna is subjected to first filtering, and the signal is transmitted to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna. Then, a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is subjected to second filtering, and the signal is transmitted to the reader / writer via the first antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart illustrating a command transmission process of the communication system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a response transmission process of the communication system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an FPGA. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of filter processing for preventing backflow. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of noise filtering processing. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a communication system according to the present technology. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of members that can be attached to the R / W side antenna. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a device incorporating a R / W. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a signal processing device according to the present technology. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a signal processing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described in the following order. 1.Communication Systems 2. First Use Case 3. Second Use Case 4.Other

[0010] <1. Communication Systems> (Example of communication system configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a communication system to which the present technology is applied.

[0011] The communication system in Fig. 1 is a system for non-contact communication between an R / W (Reader / Writer) 1 and a non-contact communication device such as a card 2. For non-contact communication, for example, near field communication (NFC) is used, which uses a high frequency magnetic field of a predetermined frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz, 4.915 MHz) as a carrier (carrier wave) as a medium.

[0012] In this communication system, a signal processing device 3 is used between the R / W 1 and the card 2 in order to extend the communication distance.

[0013] The R / W 1 is incorporated into, for example, an automatic ticket gate device, a vending machine, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, etc. The R / W 1 reads data from the card 2 and writes data to the card 2 by contactlessly communicating with the card 2 via the signal processing device 3.

[0014] Although not shown, the R / W 1 includes, for example, an antenna for contactless communication with the card 2 and the signal processing device 3, and an RF (Radio Frequency) board connected to the antenna. The antenna is, for example, a loop antenna made of a metal antenna coil.

[0015] The R / W 1 transmits a predetermined command (signal) to the signal processing device 3 through contactless communication. The R / W 1 also receives a response (signal) from the card 2 corresponding to the command transmitted to the card 2 through contactless communication from the signal processing device 3.

[0016] The card 2 is a card-type contactless communication device that can be carried by a user, and is, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. Although the present specification uses an IC card for explanation, the present technology can also use various contactless communication devices equipped with contactless communication functions, such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag, a mobile terminal, a game machine, an imaging device, and a personal computer, in addition to the IC card.

[0017] Although not shown, the card 2 includes, for example, an antenna for contactless communication with the R / W 1 and the signal processing device 3, and an IC chip equipped with an IC capable of executing predetermined arithmetic processing, inside a thin card exterior. The antenna is, for example, a loop antenna made of a metal antenna coil, similar to the antenna of the R / W 1.

[0018] The card 2 receives a command for the R / W 1 through contactless communication from the signal processing device 3. The card 2 also transmits a response to the command to the signal processing device 3 through contactless communication.

[0019] The signal processing device 3 is composed of an R / W side antenna 12 (first antenna in the claim), an R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13, a card side transmitting / receiving circuit 14, a card side antenna 15 (second antenna in the claim), and an external power supply 16.

[0020] The R / W side antenna 12 is a first antenna (for example, an antenna on the R / W1 side). Like the antenna of R / W1, the R / W side antenna 12 is, for example, a loop antenna made of a metal antenna coil. The R / W side antenna 12 receives commands transmitted from R / W1 and outputs them to the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13. The R / W side antenna 12 also receives responses transmitted from the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and transmits them to R / W1.

[0021] The R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 is a circuit that transmits and receives signals to and from the R / W 1 via the R / W side antenna 12. The R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 is composed of a receiving circuit 21, a transmitting circuit 22, and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 23.

[0022] The receiving circuit 21 receives a command supplied from the R / W side antenna 12 via the R / W side antenna 12 and outputs the received command to the FPGA 23 .

[0023] The FPGA 23 digitally processes the command supplied from the receiving circuit 21 and transmits the digitally processed command to the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14. This digital processing includes filtering such as signal determination processing that determines whether signals such as commands and responses are correct or not, and gating processing that passes signals that are determined to be correct and blocks others.

[0024] Furthermore, the FPGA 23 digitally processes the response transmitted from the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 and outputs the digitally processed response to the transmitting circuit 22 .

[0025] The transmission circuit 22 transmits the response digitally processed by the FPGA 23 to the R / W 1 via the R / W-side antenna 12 .

[0026] The card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 is a circuit that transmits and receives signals to and from the card 2 via the card-side antenna 15. The card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 is made up of a transmitting circuit 31 and a receiving circuit 32.

[0027] The transmission circuit 31 receives a command sent from the FPGA 23 and transmits it to the card 2 via the card-side antenna 15 .

[0028] The receiving circuit 32 receives the response sent from the card 2 and transmits it to the FPGA 23 via the card-side antenna 15 .

[0029] The card-side antenna 15 is a second antenna (for example, an antenna on the card 2 side). Like the antenna of R / W 1, the card-side antenna 15 is, for example, a loop antenna made of a metal antenna coil, and transmits commands transmitted from the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 to the card 2. The card-side antenna 15 receives responses transmitted from the card 2 and outputs them to the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14.

[0030] The external power supply 16 supplies power to the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and the card side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 .

[0031] (Communication system processing) FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a command transmission process in the communication system of FIG.

[0032] In step S11, R / W1 transmits a command.

[0033] In step S12, the receiving circuit 21 of the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 receives the command transmitted from the R / W 1 via the R / W side antenna 12. The receiving circuit 21 of the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 outputs the received command to the FPGA 23.

[0034] In step S13, the FPGA 23 of the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 digitally processes the command supplied from the receiving circuit 21 of the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13.

[0035] In step S14, the FPGA 23 of the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 transmits the digitally processed command to the transmitting circuit 31 of the card side transmitting / receiving circuit 14.

[0036] In step S15, the transmission circuit 31 of the card-side transmission / reception circuit 14 transmits the command received from the FPGA 23 of the R / W-side transmission / reception circuit 13 to the card 2 via the card-side antenna 15.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a response transmission process in the communication system of FIG.

[0038] In step S31, the card 2 transmits a response to the command transmitted from the R / W 1 via the signal processing device 3 to the R / W 1.

[0039] In step S32, the receiving circuit 32 of the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 receives the response transmitted from the card 2 via the card-side antenna 15.

[0040] In step S33, the receiving circuit 32 of the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 transmits the received response to the FPGA 23 of the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13.

[0041] In step S34, the FPGA 23 of the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 receives the response transmitted from the receiving circuit 32 of the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 and digitally processes the received response. The FPGA 23 of the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 outputs the digitally processed response to the transmitting circuit 22 of the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13.

[0042] In step S35, the transmission circuit 22 of the R / W side transmission / reception circuit 13 transmits the response supplied from the FPGA 23 of the R / W side transmission / reception circuit 13 to the R / W 1 via the R / W side antenna 12.

[0043] (FPGA configuration example) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the FPGA 23.

[0044] The FPGA 23 in FIG. 4 is configured to include filter processing units 51-1 and 51-2 and an OSC (Oscillator) 52.

[0045] The filter processing unit 51-1 receives the signal transmitted from the R / W 1 via the receiving circuit 21, and filters the received signal based on the frequency of the OSC clock supplied from the OSC 52. The filter processing unit 51-1 transmits the filtered signal to the card 2 via the transmitting circuit 31.

[0046] The filter processing unit 51-1 is composed of a signal determination unit 61-1 and an AND circuit 62-1. The signal determination unit 61-1 and the AND circuit 62-1 perform noise filtering of the input signal so that signals unrelated to signals transmitted by non-contact communication with the R / W 1 are not transmitted to the transmission circuit 31 when there is no communication or when the card 2 is being processed.

[0047] Specifically, the signal determination unit 61-1 normally detects a signal (command) transmitted from the R / W 1 via contactless communication. Unlike noise, the signal transmitted from the R / W 1 via contactless communication is a signal that alternates between 1 (H) and 0 (L). When the signal determination unit 61-1 detects a signal, it uses the first 6 to 8 bits of the 48-bit preamble to determine the baud rate, and determines whether the baud rate of the signal is correct (for example, 212 kbps).

[0048] The signal determination unit 61-1 outputs 0 (L) until it determines the signal. If the signal determination unit 61-1 determines that the baud rate is a correct value, it outputs 1 (H) until the signal ends. If the signal determination unit 61-1 determines that the baud rate is not a correct value, it outputs 0 (L).

[0049] The AND circuit 62-1 receives a signal that is input directly without going through the signal determination unit 61-1 and a signal that is supplied from the signal determination unit 61-1, and outputs the calculation result. If the baud rate is determined to be the correct value, the AND circuit 62-1 outputs the signal from the ninth bit onwards of the preamble.

[0050] The filter processing unit 51-2 receives a signal transmitted from the card 2 via the receiving circuit 32, and filters the received signal based on the frequency of the OSC clock supplied from the OSC 52. The filter processing unit 51-2 transmits the filtered signal to the R / W 1 via the transmitting circuit 22.

[0051] The filter processing unit 51-2 is composed of a signal determination unit 61-2 and an AND circuit 62-2. The signal determination unit 61-2 and the AND circuit 62-2 perform noise filtering of the input signal so that signals unrelated to signals transmitted by non-contact communication with the card 2 are not transmitted to the transmission circuit 22 when there is no communication or when R / W1 is being processed.

[0052] Specifically, the signal determination unit 61-2 normally detects a signal (response) transmitted by contactless communication from the card 2. Unlike noise, the signal transmitted by contactless communication from the card 2 is a signal that repeats 1 (H) and 0 (L). When the signal determination unit 61-2 detects a signal, it uses the first 6 to 8 bits of the 48-bit preamble to determine the baud rate, and determines whether the baud rate of the signal is the correct value (for example, 212 kbps).

[0053] The signal determination unit 61-2 outputs 0 (L) until it determines the signal. If the signal determination unit 61-2 determines that the baud rate is a correct value, it outputs 1 (H) until the signal ends. If the signal determination unit 61-2 determines that the baud rate is not a correct value, it outputs 0 (L).

[0054] The AND circuit 62-2 receives a signal that is directly input without going through the signal determination unit 61-2 and a signal that is supplied from the signal determination unit 61-2, and outputs the calculation result. If the baud rate is determined to be the correct value, the AND circuit 62-2 outputs the signal from the ninth bit onwards of the preamble.

[0055] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the filter processing units 51-1 and 51-2, they will be referred to as filter processing units 51. When there is no need to distinguish between the signal determination units 61-1 and 61-2, they will be referred to as signal determination unit 61. When there is no need to distinguish between the AND circuits 62-1 and 62-2, they will be referred to as AND circuit 62.

[0056] The OSC 52 generates an OSC clock of, for example, 55 MHz, and supplies the frequency of the generated OSC clock to the filter processing units 52-1 and 52-2.

[0057] (filtering to prevent backflow) FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of filter processing for preventing backflow.

[0058] In FIG. 5, the external power supply 16 is omitted from the illustration.

[0059] Figure 5 shows the signal paths in the communication system of Figure 1. In Figure 5, the dashed line represents the normal path when a signal is transmitted from R / W 1 to card 2. The dashed line represents the path of a noise backflow when a signal is transmitted from R / W 1 to card 2.

[0060] That is, when a signal is transmitted from R / W 1 to card 2 via FRGA 23, the receiving circuit 32 of the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 also operates at the same time. This operation of the receiving circuit 32 may cause the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 to malfunction, and the signal may flow back to the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and be sent directly to R / W 1.

[0061] Therefore, in the communication system, when a signal is transmitted from the R / W 1 to the card 2, the FRGA 23 performs a filter process to prevent backflow so that the signal does not flow back to the R / W 1.

[0062] Similarly, although not shown, when a signal is transmitted from the card 2 to the R / W 1, the FRGA 23 performs a filter process to prevent the signal from flowing back to the card 2 side.

[0063] Specifically, when a signal is transmitted from R / W 1 to card 2, in addition to the signal on the normal path indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 5, a signal on the reverse path indicated by the broken line in Fig. 5 is simultaneously generated. Therefore, the FRGA 23 performs a filter process to block the signal on the reverse path, thereby preventing the reverse flow of the signal and suppressing malfunction of the R / W-side transceiver circuit 13.

[0064] This backflow prevention filtering process utilizes the fact that while signal delays on normal paths are due only to wiring delays and gate delays, signal delays on reverse paths are longer because the signal goes around the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14, resulting in a delay in the signal on the reverse path compared to the signal on the normal path. In other words, this backflow prevention filtering process is realized by first opening the gate of the normal path (dash-dotted line) in the FRGA 23, and then closing the gate of the reverse path (dashed line).

[0065] Specifically, the AND circuits 62-1 and 62-2 are configured to be able to detect each other's opening and closing operations. When a signal is input to the AND circuit 62-1, it opens the gate of the normal path and passes the input signal. When the AND circuit 62-2 detects that the AND circuit 62-1 has opened its gate, it closes the gate of the reverse path to prevent the flow of the later arriving signal, even if a signal is subsequently input.

[0066] Similarly, when transmitting a signal from card 2 to R / W1, the normal path is from card 2 to receiving circuit 32, FPGA 23 (AND circuit 62-2), transmitting circuit 22, and R / W1, and the reverse path is from receiving circuit 21 to FPGA 23 and transmitting circuit 31. In this case, when a signal is input, AND circuit 62-2 opens the gate of the normal path and passes the input signal. When AND circuit 62-1 detects that AND circuit 62-2 has opened the gate, it closes the gate of the reverse path, preventing the later-arriving signal from passing, even if a signal is subsequently input.

[0067] This filtering process for preventing backflow is made possible by implementing in the FPGA 23 an OSC 52 that generates a clock with a frequency (for example, 55 MHz) faster than the carrier frequency.

[0068] When OSC52 is not used, i.e., when a carrier frequency is used, only one path is normal, so when the gate of one path is opened, the gate of the other path can be exclusively closed, enabling filtering to prevent backflow.

[0069] Specifically, when transmitting a signal from R / W 1 to card 2, the normal path is through AND circuit 62-1, so AND circuit 62-1 opens the gate of the normal path. In response to the AND circuit 62-1 opening the gate, AND circuit 62-2 exclusively closes the gate.

[0070] On the other hand, when transmitting a signal from card 2 to R / W 1, the normal path is through AND circuit 62-2, so AND circuit 62-2 opens the gate of the normal path. In response to the AND circuit 62-2 opening the gate, AND circuit 62-1 exclusively closes the gate.

[0071] As described above, filtering to prevent backflow is performed, so that backflow of signals is prevented and malfunction of the transmitting circuit 31 or the transmitting circuit 22 is suppressed.

[0072] (Noise filtering) FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of noise filtering processing.

[0073] In FIG. 6, the upper part shows the state of the input signal input to the FPGA 23, and the lower part shows the state of the output signal output from the FPGA 23.

[0074] The signal (preamble) transmitted by non-contact communication is a signal consisting of alternating 1 (H) and 0 (L). 1 (H) and 0 (L) represent 1 bit of the signal.

[0075] Between timing t0 and timing t1, an input signal containing noise is input to FPGA 23, but since it is not a signal transmitted by non-contact communication, 0(L) is output from signal determination unit 61, and 0(L) is output from FPGA 23.

[0076] Between timing t1 and timing t2, a 1-bit to 8-bit input signal from the preamble of a signal transmitted by non-contact communication is input to the FPGA 23. The signal determination unit 61 performs filtering processing to determine the baud rate using the 1-bit to 8-bit input signal. Until it is determined whether the baud rate is correct or not, the signal determination unit 61 outputs 0(L), and the FPGA 23 outputs 0(L).

[0077] From timing t2 onwards, the 9th bit and subsequent bits of the preamble of the signal transmitted by contactless communication are input to the FPGA 23. If the baud rate is determined to be correct by the 1-bit to 8-bit baud rate determination from timing t1 to timing t2 described above, the signal determination unit 61 outputs 1 (H), and the FPGA 23 outputs a signal in which 1 (H) and 0 (L) are alternately repeated.

[0078] As described above, the input signal is output as is without being buffered in the FPGA 23. That is, the signal delay time is only the gate delay and the wiring delay, which is several tens of nanoseconds.

[0079] Therefore, according to the present technology, it is possible to extend the communication distance while suppressing an increase in the time from when the R / W 1 completes sending a command until the card 2 receives the command. Also, according to the present technology, it is possible to extend the communication distance while suppressing an increase in the time from when the R / W 1 completes receiving a response from the card 2.

[0080] That is, according to this technology, there is no need to buffer signals in the signal processing device as in the prior art, and signals can be transmitted between R / W 1 and card 2 with only wiring delays and gate delays.

[0081] Specifically, in this technology, by performing gating processing while monitoring (detecting and determining) a signal from R / W1 or card 2, it is possible to output the signal as is without buffering. That is, the signal sent from R / W1 to card 2 is branched and monitored into a line that passes through the signal determination unit 61-1 and a line that does not, and the signal sent to card 2 simply passes through the filter processing unit 51-1, which is a gating circuit, so buffering is not required. Similarly, the signal sent from card 2 to R / W1 is branched and monitored into a line that passes through the signal determination unit 61-2 and a line that does not, and the signal sent to R / W1 simply passes through the filter processing unit 51-2, which is a gating circuit, so buffering is not required.

[0082] As a result, it is possible to extend the communication distance while suppressing delays in signals during contactless communication between the R / W 1 and the card 2.

[0083] <2. First Use Case> (External view of the communication system of this technology) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of a communication system according to the present technology.

[0084] The communication system in Figure 7 assumes a use case in which a convenience store clerk uses a business smartphone with R / W1 built in as a payment terminal, and the clerk and customer meet face-to-face.

[0085] 7, a housing 80 of the communication system has a card holding surface 81 over which a customer holds a card 2, an R / W installation surface 82 on which a store clerk places a smartphone incorporating an R / W 1, and a bottom surface 83 that is placed on a table. Note that in FIG. 7, wiring connecting each circuit and each antenna is omitted from the illustration.

[0086] To make the card holding surface 81 easier for customers to see, it is positioned so that it forms a slope that forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the bottom surface 83. To place a smartphone on the R / W installation surface 82, the side that intersects with the card holding surface 81 is positioned upward, so that it forms a slope that forms an angle of approximately 60 degrees with the bottom surface 83. The upper end of the card holding surface 81 and the upper end of the R / W installation surface 82 are connected.

[0087] That is, the card holding surface 81, the R / W installation surface 82, and the bottom surface 83 are assembled to form a substantial triangle when viewed from a plane perpendicular to them.

[0088] An antenna storage section 84 is formed on the back side of the card holding surface 81. In the antenna storage section 84, the card-side antenna 15 is attached to the back side of the card holding surface 81 and stored therein.

[0089] The card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 is attached to the surface of the antenna housing portion 84 on the side where the card-side antenna 15 is not housed.

[0090] The R / W-side antenna 12 is attached to the back side of the R / W installation surface 82. As shown in Fig. 8, a ferrite sheet 91 and a metal plate 92 are attached in this order to the back side of the R / W-side antenna 12. By attaching these members to the side of the R / W-side antenna 12 opposite the R / W installation surface 82, it is possible to suppress the influence of the RF magnetic field from the R / W 1 on communication.

[0091] The R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 is installed on the upper side of the bottom surface 83 in the figure.

[0092] The housing 80 is designed with ample space above and below the R / W installation surface 82 so that the R / W side antenna 12 can be installed at a position that provides the best communication performance for the antenna of the R / W 1 built into the smartphone.

[0093] The store clerk places the business-use smartphone incorporating the R / W 1 on the R / W installation surface 82 and brings it close to the R / W-side antenna 12.

[0094] The customer holds the card 2 over the card holding surface 81 and brings it close to the card-side antenna 15 attached to the back side of the card holding surface 81.

[0095] By doing so, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the R / W 1 and the card 2 can transmit and receive signals by contactless communication via the signal processing device 3.

[0096] The communication distance extended by the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 of the signal processing device 3 can be changed as desired depending on the use case and purpose. For example, as described above, if a business smartphone is used only as a payment terminal, it is sufficient to use an antenna with a smaller external size for the card-side antenna 15 than the card-side antenna 15 shown in Figure 7.

[0097] At this time, the radiated magnetic field is reduced, which reduces the impact on communication between the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and the business-use smartphone, thereby making communication more stable.

[0098] The extended communication distance differs depending on the size and performance of the antenna, but is constant and does not depend on the amount of data sent and received or the communication distance between the business smartphone and the R / W side antenna 12.

[0099] <3. Second Use Case> (Appearance of the device with the R / W built in) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of a device incorporating a R / W.

[0100] FIG. 9 shows the appearance of a coffee maker in which R / W 1 is incorporated into a housing 101.

[0101] R / W1 is built into the housing 101 of the coffee maker. For example, an antenna for R / W1 is built into the housing 101 at the front of the housing 101, at the position indicated by the dotted line in the figure. When a customer holds card 2 over the antenna of R / W1, R / W1 and card 2 can send and receive signals. This allows the customer to pay for a coffee using card 2.

[0102] However, when incorporating the R / W 1 into the housing 101, there are cases where it is not possible to select an R / W with a sufficiently large antenna size / communication performance (including communication distance) due to restrictions on the installation volume or area. In this case, a signal processing device 3 in a housing 111 as shown in FIG. 10 is installed.

[0103] (External view of the signal processing device of this technology) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the appearance of a signal processing device according to the present technology.

[0104] In FIG. 10, the housing 111 of the signal processing device 3 is attached to the housing 101 of the coffee maker so as to face the R / W side antenna 12 of the signal processing device 3 in front of the part of the housing 101 of the coffee maker in which the antenna of R / W1 is built.

[0105] 11, the housing 111 of the signal processing device 3 is formed, for example, in a shape in which support portions 111b are added to both ends of a U-shape 111a so that the device can be attached to the housing 111. When attached, a board 121 on which an R / W-side antenna 12, an R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13, and a card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 are mounted is placed inside the housing 111 at the back of the front part of the U-shape 111a, that is, on the side closer to the antenna of the R / W 1 of the housing 101. Then, a board 122 on which a card-side antenna 15 is mounted is provided on the front surface of the board 121 opposite the housing 101 side.

[0106] The customer holds the card 2 over the front of the card-side antenna 15 of the signal processing device 3 thus attached to the coffee maker's housing 101. This allows the R / W 1 and the card 2 to send and receive signals via the signal processing device 3, so the customer can use the card 2 to pay for the coffee.

[0107] As described above, by placing the housing 111 of the signal processing device 3 of the present technology over the housing 101 of the coffee maker, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently sized antenna / communication performance (including communication distance) and extend the communication distance without making any modifications to the coffee maker.

[0108] <4.Other> (Effects of this technology) In the present technology, a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna is subjected to a first filtering process and then transmitted to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna, and a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is subjected to a second filtering process and then transmitted to the reader / writer via the first antenna.

[0109] This makes it possible to extend the communication distance while suppressing signal delays in contactless communication.

[0110] 1 shows an example in which the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 are mounted on separate boards, but as shown in Fig. 11, the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 and the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14 may be mounted on a single board. Also, the R / W-side antenna 12 may be mounted on the same board as the R / W-side transmitting / receiving circuit 13, or may be mounted on a separate board. Similarly, the card-side antenna 15 may be mounted on the same board as the card-side transmitting / receiving circuit 14, or may be mounted on a separate board.

[0111] 1, an example in which the FPGA 23 is provided in the R / W side transmitting / receiving circuit 13 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to that of FIG. 1, and the FPGA 23 may be provided in the card side transmitting / receiving circuit 14.

[0112] (Example of computer configuration) The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personal computer.

[0113] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0114] The CPU 301 , ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 , and RAM 303 are interconnected by a bus 304 .

[0115] An input / output interface 305 is also connected to the bus 304. An input unit 306 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 307 including a display, a speaker, etc. are connected to the input / output interface 305. In addition, a storage unit 308 including a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, etc., a communication unit 309 including a network interface, etc., and a drive 310 that drives removable media 311 are also connected to the input / output interface 305.

[0116] In the computer configured as above, the CPU 301 loads a program stored in the storage unit 308 into the RAM 303 via the input / output interface 305 and the bus 304 and executes the program, thereby performing the above-described series of processes.

[0117] The program executed by the CPU 301 is installed in the storage unit 308 by being recorded on a removable medium 311, or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting.

[0118] The program executed by the computer may be a program that processes in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0119] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0120] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0121] The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0122] For example, this technology can be configured as cloud computing, in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by multiple devices via a network.

[0123] Furthermore, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0124] Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0125] <Configuration combination example> The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) a signal processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna, transmits the signal to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna, and performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna, and transmits the signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna. Signal processing device. (2) The signal processing unit has a clock generating unit that generates a clock having a frequency faster than a frequency of a carrier wave for contactless communication, and performs the first filtering process or the second filtering process on a received signal based on the frequency of the clock generated by the clock generating unit. The signal processing device according to (1) above. (3) the signal processing unit includes a first filter processing unit that performs the first filter processing; a second filter processing unit that performs the second filter processing, Among the first filter processing unit and the second filter processing unit, The filter processing unit to which the signal was input first starts outputting, and the output of the other filter processing unit stops. The signal processing device according to (2) above. (4) The signal processing unit filters the received signal based on the frequency of a carrier wave for contactless communication. The signal processing device according to (1) above. (5) the signal processing unit includes a first filter processing unit that performs the first filter processing; a second filter processing unit that performs the second filter processing, when a signal received from the reader / writer is input, starting output from the first filter processing unit and exclusively stopping output from the second filter processing unit; When a signal received from the non-contact communication device is input, the output of the second filter processing unit is started and the output of the first filter processing unit is exclusively stopped. The signal processing device according to (4) above. (6) The signal processing unit performs noise filtering as the filtering process. The signal processing device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) The signal processing unit performs noise filtering processing using the leading portion of a preamble in the received signal. The signal processing device according to (6) above. (8) The signal processing unit performs noise filtering by determining whether the baud rate of the received signal is a correct value. The signal processing device according to (7) above. (9) the housing of the signal processing device includes an installation surface on which the reader / writer is installed, a holding surface over which the non-contact communication device is held, and a bottom surface, the installation surface being provided on a first side of the bottom surface so as to form a first inclination angle with respect to the bottom surface at an acute angle, and the holding surface being provided on a second side of the bottom surface opposite to the first side so as to form a second inclination angle with respect to the bottom surface at an acute angle; The first antenna is provided on the back of the installation surface, and the second antenna is provided on the back of the holding surface. The signal processing device according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) A ferrite sheet and a metal plate are attached to the first antenna on the side opposite to the installation surface. The signal processing device according to (9) above. (11) A first substrate having the first antenna mounted thereon is provided at a position facing the antenna of the reader / writer of a device incorporating the reader / writer, and a second substrate having the second antenna mounted thereon is provided on the surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface facing the antenna of the reader / writer. The signal processing device according to any one of (1) to (8). (12) The first substrate and the second substrate are provided in a housing that can be attached to the device. The signal processing device according to (11) above. (13) performing a first filtering process on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna, and transmitting the result to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna; performing a second filtering process on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna, and transmitting the result to the reader / writer via the first antenna; Signal processing methods. (14) a signal processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna, transmits the signal to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna, and performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna, and transmits the signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna; The programs that make a computer function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1 R / W, 2 card, 3 signal processing device, 12 R / W side antenna, 13 R / W side transceiver circuit, 14 card side transceiver circuit, 15 card side antenna, 16 external power supply, 21 receiver circuit, 22 transmitter circuit, 23 FPGA, 31 transmitter circuit, 32 receiver circuit, 51, 51-1, 51-2 filter processing section, 52 OSC, 61, 61-1, 61-2 signal processing section, 62, 62-1, 62-2 AND circuit, 80 housing, 81 card holding surface, 82 R / W installation surface, 83 bottom surface, 84 antenna storage section, 91 ferrite sheet, 92 metal plate, 101 housing, 111 housing, 121, 122 board

Claims

1. A first filter processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna and transmits the resultant signal to a contactless communication device via a second antenna; a second filter processing unit that performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna and transmits the resultant signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna; a signal processing unit having The first filter processing unit a first signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the reader / writer via a first antenna is noise; a first output circuit that, when the first signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the first output circuit and transmits the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna to the non-contact communication device via the second antenna; The second filter processing unit a second signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is noise; a second output circuit that, when the second signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the second output circuit and transmits the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna to the reader / writer via the first antenna; The first output circuit and the second output circuit mutually detect the opening and closing operations of the gates, and when either one detects the operation of opening the other gate, it closes its own gate. Signal processing device.

2. The first signal determination unit and the second signal determination unit determine whether the received signal is the noise by using the leading portion of a preamble in the received signal. The signal processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The first signal determination unit and the second signal determination unit determine whether the baud rate of the received signal is a correct value, thereby determining whether the received signal is the noise. The signal processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the housing of the signal processing device includes an installation surface on which the reader / writer is installed, a holding surface over which the non-contact communication device is held, and a bottom surface, the installation surface being provided on a first side of the bottom surface so as to form a first inclination angle with respect to the bottom surface at an acute angle, and the holding surface being provided on a second side of the bottom surface opposite to the first side so as to form a second inclination angle with respect to the bottom surface at an acute angle; The first antenna is provided on the back of the installation surface, and the second antenna is provided on the back of the holding surface. The signal processing device according to claim 1 .

5. A ferrite sheet and a metal plate are attached to the first antenna on the side opposite to the installation surface. The signal processing device according to claim 4 .

6. A first substrate having the first antenna mounted thereon is provided at a position facing the antenna of the reader / writer of a device incorporating the reader / writer, and a second substrate having the second antenna mounted thereon is provided on the surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface facing the antenna of the reader / writer. The signal processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The first substrate and the second substrate are provided in a housing that can be attached to the device. The signal processing device according to claim 6 .

8. a first filter processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from the reader / writer via a first antenna and transmits the resultant signal to the non-contact communication device via a second antenna; a second filter processing unit that performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna and transmits the resultant signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna; a signal processing unit having The first filter processing unit a first signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the reader / writer via a first antenna is noise; a first output circuit that, when the first signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the first output circuit and transmits the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna to the non-contact communication device via the second antenna; The second filter processing unit a second signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is noise; a second output circuit that, when the second signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the second output circuit and transmits the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna to the reader / writer via the first antenna, The first output circuit and the second output circuit detect the opening and closing operations of the other gate, and when one of them detects the opening operation of the other gate, it closes its own gate. Signal processing methods.

9. A first filter processing unit that performs first filtering on a signal received from a reader / writer via a first antenna and transmits the resultant signal to a non-contact communication device via a second antenna; a second filter processing unit that performs second filtering on a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna and transmits the resultant signal to the reader / writer via the first antenna; A program that causes a computer to function as a signal processing unit having The first filter processing unit a first signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the reader / writer via a first antenna is noise; a first output circuit that, when the first signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the first output circuit and transmits the signal received from the reader / writer via the first antenna to the non-contact communication device via the second antenna; The second filter processing unit a second signal determination unit that determines whether a signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is noise; a second output circuit that, when the second signal determination unit determines that the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna is not noise, opens an openable / closable gate of the second output circuit and transmits the signal received from the non-contact communication device via the second antenna to the reader / writer via the first antenna; The first output circuit and the second output circuit detect the opening and closing operations of the other gate, and when one of them detects the opening operation of the other gate, it closes its own gate. program.

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