Communication apparatus, chip, and device

Abstract

Disclosed in embodiments of the present description are a communication apparatus, a chip, and a device. The communication apparatus comprises: a first NFC tag, wherein the first NFC tag is configured to receive a radio frequency signal transmitted by an active NFC device, transmit an excitation signal, and sense the active NFC device on the basis of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device to communicate and transfer first information; and a controller, wherein the controller is connected to the first NFC tag, and the controller is configured such that when determining that the active NFC device is not awakened from an LPCD mode on the basis of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and received by the first NFC tag, the controller controls the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal. The embodiments of the present description can achieve a high success rate during communication with a device in an LPCD mode.

Description

Communication devices, chips and equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 8, 2024, with application number 2024101772008 and application name “Communication devices, chips and equipment”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of this specification relate to the field of near field communication technology, and in particular to a communication device, chip, and equipment. Background Art

[0003] The advent of Near Field Communication (NFC) provides a promising technology for efficient contactless payment. It allows users to conveniently complete payments by placing an NFC-enabled terminal device (such as a mobile phone or tablet) near the NFC sensing area of ​​an NFC-enabled payment device.

[0004] Currently, NFC-enabled terminals typically operate in active mode during payment. To reduce power consumption, these terminals typically enter Low Power Card Detection (LPCD) mode after the NFC function is in active mode. However, when a terminal in LPCD mode is brought close to a payment device for payment, the success rate of successful communication with the payment device is low.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an NFC device with a higher success rate for communicating with a device in LPCD mode.

[0006] The content of the background technology section is merely information known to the inventor personally, and does not mean that the above information has entered the public domain before the application date of this disclosure, nor does it mean that it can become the prior art of the present disclosure.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The embodiments of this specification provide a communication device, a chip, and a device that can achieve a high success rate when communicating with a device in LPCD mode.

[0009] In order to achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this specification adopt the following technical solutions:

[0010] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present specification provides a communication device, comprising: a first NFC tag; and a controller, the controller being connected to the first NFC tag, the controller being configured to control the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal when it is determined that the active NFC device has not awakened from the LPCD mode based on a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and received by the first NFC tag.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first NFC tag includes a first NFC chip, a sampling circuit, and a first antenna. The first antenna is connected to the first NFC chip and the sampling circuit, respectively. The sampling circuit is connected to the controller. The sampling circuit is used to receive the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna. The first NFC chip is connected to the controller. The first NFC chip is used to transmit the excitation signal through the first antenna and induce the active NFC device to communicate according to the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device. The first information is written on the first NFC chip.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first antenna is connected to the first NFC chip via a matching circuit, and the matching circuit is configured to match a resonant frequency of the first antenna with a frequency of a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first antenna includes a grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal is used to ground the first antenna.

[0014] In a possible implementation, a frequency band of the excitation signal includes a frequency of a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, and a width of the frequency band is less than or equal to a preset value.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: a second NFC tag having a signal amplification capability, configured to sense the active NFC device according to a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device to communicate and transmit the first information.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the second NFC tag includes a second NFC chip and a second antenna connected to each other, the second NFC chip is connected to the controller, the second NFC chip is used to sense the active NFC device for communication based on a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, and the first information is written on the second NFC chip.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the second NFC chip has an active load modulation capability.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the second NFC tag further includes an amplifier, the second NFC chip and the second antenna are connected via the amplifier, and the amplifier is configured to amplify a signal output by the second NFC chip.

[0019] In a possible implementation, a resonant frequency of the second antenna matches a frequency of a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the first NFC tag are arranged to overlap, and a preset distance is spaced between the antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the first NFC tag.

[0021] In a possible implementation, one side of the antenna of the first NFC tag is used to sense the approaching active NFC device, and the antenna of the second NFC tag is located on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes at least one third NFC tag, wherein a portion of an antenna of the at least one third NFC tag is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion extends outward, and the at least one third NFC tag is configured to enlarge an area in which radio frequency signals can be mutually induced between the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and the active NFC device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the at least one third NFC tag includes a third NFC chip and a third antenna connected to each other, the third NFC chip is connected to the controller, the third NFC chip is used to sense the active NFC device for communication according to the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, the third NFC chip is written with the first information, a portion of the third antenna is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion extends outward.

[0024] In a possible implementation, a resonant frequency of the third antenna matches a frequency of a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the at least one third NFC tag includes a fourth antenna, a portion of the fourth antenna is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion extends outward, and a resonant frequency of the fourth antenna matches the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the controller is specifically configured to control the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal when the intensity of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and received by the first NFC tag is lower than a preset threshold.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the controller is specifically configured to control the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and the first information is not read.

[0028] In a second aspect, an embodiment of this specification provides a communication chip, which is applied to a communication device. The communication chip includes an apparatus as described in any one of the first aspect or possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0029] In a third aspect, an embodiment of this specification provides a communication device, comprising an apparatus as described in any one of the first aspect or possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0030] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the communication device, chip, and device provided in this specification can receive radio frequency signals transmitted by an active NFC device, transmit an excitation signal, and sense the active NFC device for communication based on the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, using a first NFC tag. Therefore, when an active NFC device is in proximity to the communication device, the first NFC tag can receive the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, allowing the controller to determine whether the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and has not been awakened based on the received radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device. Furthermore, when the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and has not been awakened, the communication device can use the first NFC tag to transmit an excitation signal to stimulate the active NFC device through the excitation signal, causing the active NFC device to be awakened from LPCD mode and switched to standard mode, allowing the active NFC device to resume communication with the communication device in standard mode. This allows an active NFC device in LPCD mode to be awakened promptly when it is in proximity to the communication device, thereby avoiding the problem of the active NFC device failing to communicate with the communication device due to not being awakened, and improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0031] Other functions of the communication devices, chips, and equipment provided in this specification will be partially listed in the following description. The creative aspects of the communication devices, chips, and equipment provided in this specification can be fully explained through practice or use of the embodiments described in the following detailed examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0033] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0034] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0035] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a first NFC tag provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0036] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the composition of another first NFC tag provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0037] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0038] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a second NFC tag provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0039] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the composition of another second NFC tag provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0040] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between a first antenna and a second antenna provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0041] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification;

[0042] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a third NFC tag provided in an embodiment of this specification; and

[0043] FIG12 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship among a first antenna, a second antenna, and a third antenna according to an embodiment of this specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following description provides specific application scenarios and requirements for this specification, with the goal of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the contents of this specification. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of this specification. Therefore, this specification is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is intended to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the claims.

[0045] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific example embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When used in this specification, the terms "comprise," "include," and / or "contain" are intended to refer to the presence of the associated integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups or the addition of other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups in the system / method.

[0046] These and other features of this specification, as well as the operation and function of the associated elements of the structure, and the economical assembly and manufacture of the components, can be significantly improved with consideration of the following description. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. However, it should be expressly understood that the drawings are for illustration and description purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this specification. It should also be understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0047] The flowcharts used in this specification illustrate operations implemented by systems according to some embodiments of the present specification. It should be clearly understood that the operations of the flowcharts may not be implemented in sequence. Rather, the operations may be implemented in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more additional operations may be added to the flowcharts. One or more operations may be removed from the flowcharts.

[0048] In this specification, "X includes at least one of A, B, or C" means that X includes at least A, or X includes at least B, or X includes at least C. In other words, X may include only any one of A, B, and C, or any combination of A, B, and C, as well as other possible contents / elements. Any combination of A, B, and C may be A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC.

[0049] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the association relationship between structures can be a direct association relationship or an indirect association relationship. For example, when describing "A is connected to B", unless it is clearly stated that A is directly connected to B, it should be understood that A can be directly connected to B or indirectly connected to B; for another example, when describing "A is above B", unless it is clearly stated that A is directly above B (AB are adjacent and A is above B), it should be understood that A can be directly above B or indirectly above B (AB is separated by other elements and A is above B). And so on.

[0050] The embodiments of this specification provide a communication device. The communication device can be used to sense an active NFC device close to its sensing area (usually the antenna coverage area), thereby communicating with the active NFC device. Among them, the communication device can be an NFC device operating in passive mode, which passively responds to the radio frequency signals emitted by other active NFC devices, so that information is read / written by the active NFC device. The active NFC device can be an NFC device operating in active mode, which acts as a card reader to transmit radio frequency signals to identify and read NFC devices or devices in passive mode. The active NFC device can be a dedicated NFC device, or it can be other electronic devices with NFC function, such as mobile phones, tablets, TVs, etc. with NFC function.

[0051] The communication device can be applied to scenarios involving NFC technology, such as payment through NFC technology, ordering food through NFC technology, information transmission through NFC technology, and device connection through NFC technology.

[0052] For example, take the scenario of making payments through NFC technology as an example. The communication device can act as a passive NFC device to interact with an active NFC device. For example, as shown in (a) of Figure 1, when a user needs to pay, he or she can place his or her NFC-enabled mobile phone 101 (i.e., the NFC-enabled mobile phone is used as an active NFC device) close to the device (or tag) 102 provided by the merchant and including the communication device provided in the embodiment of this specification. Thus, the device 102 can sense the user's mobile phone 101 through the communication device and communicate with it to transmit payment information. Afterwards, as shown in (b) of Figure 1, the user's mobile phone 101 can display the corresponding payment page based on the payment information. When the user performs a payment operation on the payment page on the mobile phone 101 (such as the user clicks the payment control "Confirm Payment" displayed on the payment page) and completes the payment, as shown in (c) of Figure 1, the user's mobile phone 101 can display the payment completion interface, thereby completing the user's payment to the merchant.

[0053] As another example, consider the scenario of ordering food using NFC technology. The communication device can act as a passive NFC device to interact with an active NFC device. For example, as shown in FIG2(a), when a user needs to order food, they can place their NFC-enabled mobile phone 201 (i.e., using the NFC-enabled mobile phone as an active NFC device) close to a device (or tag) 202 provided on a dining table and including the communication device provided in the embodiments of this specification. Thus, the device 202 can sense the user's mobile phone 201 through the communication device and communicate with it to transmit the order information. Thereafter, as shown in FIG2(b), the user's mobile phone 201 can display the corresponding order page based on the order information. After the user completes the ordering operation on the mobile phone 201 according to the ordering page (e.g., after selecting "Item 1" and "Item 3" on the ordering page and clicking the "Confirm Selection" control for confirming the order), the user's mobile phone 201 can display the order completion interface, as shown in FIG2(c), thereby completing the user's convenient ordering operation.

[0054] The communication device provided in this specification can be applied to various devices so that it can be used as a communication device for NFC communication. The device to which the communication device can be applied can be a payment device used in a payment scenario, or a food ordering device used in a food ordering scenario, or other devices that require NFC capabilities, such as various terminal devices that require NFC capabilities, etc., which are not limited here. Among them, the way in which the communication device is applied to the device can be to set the communication device as a corresponding circuit configuration to the device, or to encapsulate the communication device into a chip as a communication chip configured in the device, etc., which are not limited here. Moreover, when the communication device is encapsulated as a chip, it can be encapsulated into other communication chips, or it can be encapsulated as an independent chip, which is also not limited here.

[0055] It should be noted that the above-mentioned terminal devices may also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), mobile terminals (MT), etc. The terminal devices may be mobile phones, smart TVs, wearable devices, tablet computers (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal devices.

[0056] Of course, in some other possible implementations of the embodiments of this specification, the communication device can also be configured as an independent device, such as packaging the communication device and using it as an NFC card or tag.

[0057] The communication device in the embodiments of this specification will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this specification.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3 , the communication device may include a first NFC tag 310 and a controller 300 .

[0060] The first NFC tag 310 is configured to receive radio frequency signals transmitted by an active NFC device, transmit an excitation signal, and, based on the radio frequency signals transmitted by the active NFC device, induce the active NFC device to communicate and transmit first information. A controller 300 is connected to the first NFC tag 310 and is configured to control the first NFC tag 310 to transmit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag 310 determines that the active NFC device has not awakened from LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signals transmitted by the active NFC device received by the first NFC tag 310.

[0061] Among them, the first information can be the payment information in the aforementioned payment scenario, or the ordering information in the ordering scenario, etc. According to the specific application scenario, the first information can be adaptively configured.

[0062] It should be noted that an active NFC device can act as a card reader, emitting radio frequency signals to identify and read NFC devices or devices in passive mode. The communication device provided in the embodiments of this specification can operate in passive mode, passively responding to the radio frequency signals emitted by the active NFC device to communicate, thereby transmitting the first information to the active NFC device so that the active NFC device can perform corresponding operations based on the first information.

[0063] To save power, active NFC devices typically enter LPCD mode shortly after activating the NFC function. In LPCD mode, the amplitude of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device is reduced compared to standard mode. When the intensity change caused by the RF signal it transmits, sensed by the nearby passive NFC device or device, exceeds or equals a preset threshold, the active NFC device wakes up from LPCD mode and enters standard mode.

[0064] The connection between the controller 300 and the first NFC tag 310 may be an electrical connection, so as to enable the controller 300 to control the first NFC tag 310 and to transfer information between the first NFC tag 310 and the controller 300 .

[0065] For this communication device, when an active NFC device approaches the communication device and transmits a radio frequency signal for card detection, the communication device can receive the radio frequency signal through the first NFC tag 310 and send it to the controller 300. Therefore, the controller 300 can determine whether the active NFC device has not awakened from LPCD mode based on the radio frequency signal. If so, the controller 300 can control the first NFC tag 310 to transmit an excitation signal so that the active NFC device can sense the excitation signal. The controller 300 then superimposes the intensity of the excitation signal on the intensity change caused by the first NFC tag 310 sensing the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, so that the superimposed intensity change exceeds the threshold used to wake the active NFC device from LPCD mode, thereby waking the active NFC device. This allows the active NFC device to recognize and communicate with the communication device again in standard mode.

[0066] Optionally, in the embodiments of this specification, in order to be able to better wake up the active NFC device in LPCD mode through an excitation signal. The frequency band of the excitation signal can be set to a frequency band that includes the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and whose width is less than or equal to a preset value. For example, taking the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device as 13.56MHz, the frequency band of the excitation signal can be set to a frequency band near 13.56MHz. For example, the 12MHz-14MHz frequency band, etc. Of course, in actual applications, the smaller the width of the frequency band of the excitation signal (that is, the closer the frequency of the excitation signal is to the frequency of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device), the better the wake-up effect of the excitation signal on the active NFC device, and the frequency band of the excitation signal can be set according to actual conditions.

[0067] As a possible implementation, the controller 300 determines that the active NFC device has not awakened from LPCD mode based on the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device. This can be done by determining that the active NFC device has not awakened from LPCD mode when the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device is lower than a preset threshold. That is, the controller 300 can control the first NFC tag 310 to transmit an excitation signal when the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device received by the first NFC tag 310 is lower than a preset threshold. The preset threshold can be lower than the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device in standard mode, and higher than the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device in LPCD mode. Of course, in actual applications, the preset threshold can also be set to be equal to the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device in standard mode, or equal to the intensity of the RF signal emitted by the active NFC device in LPCD mode. The specific value of the preset threshold can be set based on the above range and actual conditions, and is not limited here. It should be noted that when the preset threshold is a value lower than the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device in the standard mode, in actual application, the controller 300 can also determine that the active NFC device has not been awakened from the LPCD mode when it is determined that the strength of the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device is equal to the preset threshold.

[0068] As another possible implementation, when the first NFC tag 310 receives a radio frequency signal transmitted by an active NFC device, the controller 300 may determine, based on the radio frequency signal, that an active NFC device is in proximity to the communication device described in the embodiments of this specification. In this case, if the information (e.g., the first information) contained in the first NFC tag 310 that can be communicated with the active NFC device is not read, it indicates that the NFC device has not been awakened from LPCD mode and has not successfully detected the first NFC tag 310. Communication between the active NFC device and the communication device described in the embodiments of this specification has failed, and the active NFC device has not read the first information from the first NFC tag 310. Therefore, the controller 300 may determine, based on the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, that the active NFC device has not been awakened from LPCD mode. This may be when the controller 300 determines that the active NFC device has not been awakened from LPCD mode, upon receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and the information (e.g., the first information) from the first NFC tag 310 is not read. That is, the controller 300 can control the first NFC tag 310 to transmit an excitation signal when the first NFC tag 310 receives a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and the information (such as the first information) that the first NFC tag 310 can transmit to the active NFC device is not read.

[0069] In the embodiments of this specification, the first NFC tag 310 in the communication device can be configured with an RF transmitting circuit and an RF receiving circuit to receive radio frequency signals transmitted by an active NFC device and transmit an excitation signal. Furthermore, an NFC chip containing the first information can be configured to enable the first NFC tag 310 to contain the first information and to sense the active NFC device based on the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device to communicate with it.

[0070] Of course, in the embodiment of this specification, the first NFC tag 310 can also realize the function of receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device by setting a sampling circuit.

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG4 , the first NFC tag 310 may include a first NFC chip 311, a sampling circuit 312, and a first antenna 313. The first antenna 313 may be connected to the first NFC chip 311 and the sampling circuit 312, respectively. The sampling circuit 312 may also be connected to the controller 300, and the first NFC chip 311 may also be connected to the controller 300.

[0072] The sampling circuit 312 may be a voltage sampling circuit and / or a current sampling circuit. The sampling circuit 312 can receive the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device by collecting the voltage and / or current generated after the first antenna 313 senses the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device. Thus, the first NFC tag 310 can receive the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna 313 through the sampling circuit 312, and send the RF signal to the controller 300 through the sampling circuit 312. This allows the controller 300 to determine whether the active NFC device has not been awakened from the LPCD mode based on the RF signal.

[0073] Optionally, in the embodiment of this specification, in addition to the terminals for connecting to the sampling circuit 312 and the first NFC chip 311, the first antenna 313 may also be provided with a ground terminal for grounding the first antenna 313. This can eliminate some noise in the signal sensed by the first antenna 313, improve the quality of the RF signal received by the sampling circuit 312, and enable the controller 300 to better determine whether the active NFC device has not awakened from LPCD mode based on the received RF signal.

[0074] As an example, the first NFC chip 311 can be an NFC chip capable of both active and passive modes. Thus, the first NFC tag 310 can utilize the first NFC chip 311's active mode to transmit an excitation signal via the first antenna 313, and utilize the first NFC chip 311's passive mode to sense radio frequency signals transmitted by an active NFC device to communicate with the active NFC device and transmit the first information. Accordingly, the first information can be written to the first NFC chip 311.

[0075] The above method is used to implement the first NFC tag 310 receiving radio frequency signals, transmitting excitation signals, and sensing radio frequency signals of active NFC devices to communicate and transmit the first information. The structure is relatively simple, which can facilitate the integration and miniaturization of the first NFC tag 310.

[0076] For example, in the embodiments of this specification, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310, such as the first antenna 313 described above, can be a frequency that matches (e.g., is the same as or close to) the frequency of the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device. This facilitates the first NFC tag 310 to better receive and sense the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0077] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz. Therefore, the frequency tuned to the first antenna 313 may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0078] In practical applications, as a possible implementation, as shown in FIG5 , a matching circuit 314 can be connected between the first antenna 313 and the first NFC chip 311 in the first NFC tag 310 to adjust the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 to a corresponding frequency via the matching circuit 314. The matching circuit 314 can include a capacitor, so that the matching circuit 314 and the first antenna 313 form an LC circuit. In this case, the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 is related to the inductance of the first antenna 313 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit 314. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the first antenna 313 can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit 314, thereby tuning the first antenna 313 to the corresponding frequency.

[0079] Optionally, as shown in FIG6 , the communication device provided in the embodiment of this specification may further include a second NFC tag 320 . The second NFC tag 320 may be connected to the controller 300 .

[0080] The second NFC tag 320 can be an NFC tag with signal amplification capabilities. Thus, the second NFC tag 320 can sense the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device and communicate with it to transmit the aforementioned first information. In other words, the second NFC tag 320 can communicate with the active NFC device using a stronger signal to transmit the same information (i.e., the first information) as the first NFC tag 310, thereby improving the signal strength and signal coverage when the communication device communicates with the active NFC device to transmit the first information, further improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0081] For example, the second NFC tag 320 may implement signal amplification by adopting an NFC chip with signal amplification capability, or by providing an amplifier or an amplification circuit, which is not limited here.

[0082] For example, as a possible embodiment, in conjunction with FIG7 , the second NFC tag 320 may include a second NFC chip 321 and a second antenna 322 connected to each other. The second NFC chip 321 may be connected to the controller 300 shown in FIG6 , and the first information may be written into the second NFC chip 321 . Thus, the second antenna 322 may sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, and the second NFC chip 321 may sense the active NFC device for communication based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device to transmit the first information. That is, the first information may be written into the second NFC chip 321, and the controller 300 may be used to enable the second NFC chip 321 to operate in passive mode. Of course, the second NFC chip 321 may also be an NFC chip that only supports passive mode, which is not a limitation here.

[0083] The second NFC chip 321 can be an NFC chip with active load modulation capabilities, thereby enabling the signal amplification capability of the second NFC tag 320 to be realized through the second NFC chip 321. Specifically, after sensing the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device, the NFC chip with active load modulation capabilities can actively transmit a subcarrier carrying the first information in response to the RF signal of the active NFC device, so that the active NFC device can receive the subcarrier to complete communication and transfer information. Because the NFC chip with active load modulation capabilities can actively transmit the subcarrier, the signal strength of the subcarrier can be higher than the strength of the subcarrier generated by passively responding to the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device, thereby achieving signal amplification during communication between the NFC chip and the active NFC device.

[0084] For another example, based on the second NFC tag 320 shown in FIG. 7 , as shown in FIG. 8 , the second NFC tag 320 may further include an amplifier 323 connected between the second NFC chip 321 and the second antenna 322. That is, the second NFC chip 321 and the second antenna 322 may be connected via the amplifier 323. The amplifier 323 may be a signal amplifier or a power amplifier, capable of amplifying the signal output by the second NFC chip 321 for transmission via the second antenna 322, thereby enhancing the signal amplification capability of the second NFC tag 320. The selection and specific configuration of the amplifier 323 can be determined based on actual circumstances and are not limited herein, as long as it can amplify the signal output by the second NFC chip 321.

[0085] For example, in the embodiments of this specification, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, such as the second antenna 322 described above, can be a frequency that matches (e.g., is the same as or close to) the frequency of the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device. This allows the second NFC tag 320 to better sense the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0086] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz, and thus the frequency tuned to the second antenna 322 may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0087] In practical applications, as a possible implementation, a matching circuit can be connected between the second antenna 322 and the second NFC chip 321 to adjust the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 to a corresponding frequency. This matching circuit can include a capacitor, so that it forms an LC circuit with the second antenna 322. In this case, the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 is related to the inductance of the second antenna 322 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the second antenna 322 can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit, thereby tuning the second antenna 322 to the corresponding frequency.

[0088] For example, in the embodiments of this specification, as shown in FIG9 , the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., the second antenna 322) can be arranged to overlap with the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., the first antenna 313). Furthermore, a preset distance can be set between the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 and the antenna of the first NFC tag 310. This preset distance can be set based on actual conditions to reduce mutual inductance interference between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320. For example, the preset distance can be 1 cm, or other distances greater than or less than 1 cm.

[0089] In this way, overlapping antennas can save the area occupied by the antenna arrangement, thereby reducing the space occupied by the communication device provided in the embodiments of this specification, facilitating the miniaturization of the communication device. Furthermore, the antennas of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320 can be superimposed and coupled, thereby increasing the load when the active NFC device senses the communication device, making it easier for the active NFC device to wake up from LPCD mode, and improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device. Furthermore, the spacing between the antennas of the two NFC tags can reduce mutual induction interference between the antennas of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320.

[0090] Alternatively, in actual applications, referring again to FIG9 , one side of the antenna (e.g., first antenna 313) of the first NFC tag 310 can be used to sense an approaching active NFC device. The antenna (e.g., second antenna 322) of the second NFC tag 320 can be positioned on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (i.e., the side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 that is away from the active NFC device). Since the second NFC tag 320 has signal amplification capabilities, positioning the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 on the other side of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 can further reduce the area occupied by the antenna arrangement while ensuring the normal performance of the second NFC tag 320 and the first NFC tag 310.

[0091] Optionally, as shown in FIG10 , the communication device provided in the embodiments of this specification may further include at least one third NFC tag 330 (two third NFC tags are shown in the figure as an example). The third NFC tag 330 may be connected to the controller 300 or not, and this is not limited here.

[0092] The antenna of the third NFC tag 330 can be partially coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320, while the other portion can extend outward. Through this third NFC tag 330, the area in which the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320 and the active NFC device can mutually sense radio frequency signals can be enlarged, that is, the regional coverage of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this specification sensing the active NFC device can be expanded, thereby improving the adaptability of the communication device to various active NFC devices with different antenna positions and improving the success rate of communication and information transmission between the communication device and the active NFC device. Furthermore, through the antenna of the third NFC tag 330, the load on the active NFC device when sensing the communication device can be increased on the basis of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320, making it easier for the active NFC device to wake up from LPCD mode.

[0093] For example, as shown in FIG11 , the third NFC tag 330 may include a third NFC chip 331 and a third antenna 332 connected to each other. The third NFC chip 331 may be connected to the controller 300 shown in FIG10 , and the first information may be written into the third NFC chip 331. Thus, the third antenna 332 can sense the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device, and the third NFC chip 331 can sense the active NFC device based on the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device to communicate with the active NFC device and transmit the first information. In other words, the first information can be written into the third NFC chip 331, and the controller 300 can operate the third NFC chip 331 in passive mode. Of course, the third NFC chip 331 may also be an NFC chip that only supports passive mode, which is not a limitation here. This allows the third NFC tag 330 to expand the coverage area of ​​the communication device that can sense active NFC devices while also sensing active NFC devices to communicate and transmit the first information, thereby improving the success rate of communication and information transmission between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0094] Of course, in the embodiments of this specification, the third NFC tag 330 may not include an NFC chip, for example, the third NFC tag 330 may include a fourth antenna. Thus, the fourth antenna is used as a relay to expand the area where radio frequency signals can be mutually sensed between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320 and the active NFC device.

[0095] In some other possible implementations, in combination with the above example, some of the third NFC tags 330 are configured to include a third NFC chip 331 and a third antenna 332 , and others are configured to include a fourth antenna.

[0096] For example, in the embodiments of this specification, the resonant frequency of the antenna of the third NFC tag 330, such as the third antenna 332 or the fourth antenna described above, can be a frequency that matches (e.g., is the same as or close to) the frequency of the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device. This allows the third NFC tag 330 to better sense the RF signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

[0097] For example, the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device may be 13.56 MHz. Therefore, the frequency tuned to the third antenna 332 or the fourth antenna may be 13.56 MHz or a frequency close to this frequency.

[0098] In practical applications, as a possible implementation, a matching circuit can be connected between the third antenna 332 and the third NFC chip 331 to adjust the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 to a desired frequency. This matching circuit can include a capacitor, so that it forms an LC circuit with the third antenna 332. In this case, the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 is related to the inductance of the third antenna 332 and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the third antenna 332 can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit, thereby tuning the third antenna 332 to a desired frequency. Alternatively, a matching circuit can be provided connected to the fourth antenna to adjust the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna to a desired frequency. This matching circuit can include a capacitor, so that it forms an LC circuit with the fourth antenna. In this case, the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna is related to the inductance of the fourth antenna and the equivalent capacitance of the matching circuit. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the fourth antenna can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance in the matching circuit, thereby tuning the fourth antenna to a desired frequency.

[0099] For example, a portion of the antenna of the third NFC tag 330 is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and / or the second NFC tag 320, and another portion thereof extends outward. Alternatively, the antenna of each third NFC tag 330 may be coupled to a portion of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310, and another portion thereof extends outward. Alternatively, the antenna of each third NFC tag 330 may be coupled to a portion of the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, and another portion thereof extends outward. Alternatively, the antenna of each third NFC tag 330 may be coupled to both the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and a portion of the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, and another portion thereof extends outward. Alternatively, some of the third NFC tags 330 may be coupled to a portion of the antenna of the first NFC tag 310, and another portion thereof extends outward, while others may be coupled to a portion of the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, and another portion thereof extends outward.

[0100] For example, the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (such as the first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (such as the second antenna 322) are arranged to overlap, and two third NFC tags 330 are provided. The antenna of each third NFC tag 330 (such as the third antenna 332 or the fourth antenna, the third antenna 332 will be used as an example below) is coupled with the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320, and the other part extends outward. As shown in FIG12 , the antennas of the two third NFC tags 330 (e.g., third antenna 332) can be located between the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322). The antennas of the two third NFC tags 330 (e.g., third antenna 332) are coplanar, with portions of each antenna coupling with the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322), while the remaining portions extend beyond the antenna of the first NFC tag 310 (e.g., first antenna 313) and the antenna of the second NFC tag 320 (e.g., second antenna 322). This allows the antennas of the third NFC tags 330 to simultaneously relay the antennas of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320, thereby expanding the area in which the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320 can sense the RF signal of the active NFC device, thereby improving the sensitivity of the first NFC tag 310 and the second NFC tag 320 to the active NFC device.

[0101] The communication device of the above embodiment can receive radio frequency signals transmitted by an active NFC device, transmit an excitation signal, and sense the active NFC device for communication based on the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, using the first NFC tag 310. Therefore, when an active NFC device is in proximity to the communication device, the first NFC tag 310 can receive the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device, allowing the controller 300 to determine whether the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and has not been awakened based on the received radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device. Furthermore, when the active NFC device is in LPCD mode and has not been awakened, the communication device can use the first NFC tag 310 to transmit an excitation signal to stimulate the active NFC device, thereby waking the active NFC device from LPCD mode to standard mode, allowing the active NFC device to resume communication with the communication device in standard mode. This allows an active NFC device in LPCD mode to be awakened promptly when it is in proximity to the communication device, thereby avoiding communication failures caused by the active NFC device not being awakened, and improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0102] Corresponding to the communication device in the aforementioned embodiment, embodiments of this specification also provide a communication chip. This communication chip can include the communication device in the aforementioned embodiment and can be used in a communication device to enable the communication device to sense an active NFC device when it is in proximity and communicate with it to transfer information. Furthermore, the communication device can actively wake up the active NFC device through an excitation signal when the active NFC device has not yet woken up from LPCD mode, thereby improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0103] In addition, an embodiment of this specification also provides a communication device, which may include the communication device of the aforementioned embodiment. The communication device can be configured on the communication device in the form of the aforementioned communication chip, and can also be configured on the communication device in the form of a module, card, tag, printed circuit, or other NFC implementation forms, without limitation. The communication device can sense the active NFC device when the active NFC device is close to it and communicate with it to transmit information. Moreover, the communication device can actively wake up the active NFC device through an excitation signal when the active NFC device has not woken up from the LPCD mode, thereby improving the success rate of communication between the communication device and the active NFC device.

[0104] In summary, after reading this detailed disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing detailed disclosure may be presented by way of example only and may not be limiting. Although not expressly stated herein, those skilled in the art will understand that this specification encompasses various reasonable changes, improvements, and modifications to the embodiments. Such changes, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested by this specification and are within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this specification.

[0105] Furthermore, certain terms in this specification have been used to describe embodiments of this specification. For example, “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and / or “some embodiments” mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this specification. Therefore, it is emphasized and should be understood that two or more references to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “an alternative embodiment” in various parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of this specification.

[0106] It should be understood that in the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments of this specification, to facilitate understanding of a feature and to simplify this specification, various features are combined in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this does not necessarily mean that these features are combined. When reading this specification, a person skilled in the art may label some of the devices as separate embodiments. In other words, the embodiments of this specification can also be understood as the integration of multiple sub-embodiments. This also applies when each sub-embodiment contains fewer than all the features of a single previously disclosed embodiment.

[0107] Each patent, patent application, patent application publication, and other materials, such as articles, books, specifications, publications, documents, articles, and the like, cited herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes, except for any prosecution document history related thereto, any equivalent that may be inconsistent or conflicting with this document, or any equivalent prosecution document history that may have a limiting effect on the broadest scope of the claims now or hereafter associated with this document. For example, if there is any inconsistency or conflict between the descriptions, definitions, and / or usage of terms associated with any incorporated material and the terminology, descriptions, definitions, and / or usage associated with this document, the terminology in this document shall control.

[0108] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments of the application disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of this specification. Other modified embodiments are also within the scope of this specification. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples and not limitations. Those skilled in the art can adopt alternative configurations based on the embodiments in this specification to implement the application in this specification. Therefore, the embodiments of this specification are not limited to the embodiments precisely described in the application.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: First Near Field Communication NFC tag; as well as A controller is connected to the first NFC tag, and is used to control the first NFC tag to transmit an excitation signal when it is determined that the active NFC device is in a low-power card detection (LPCD) mode based on a radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and received by the first NFC tag.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first NFC tag includes a first NFC chip, a sampling circuit, and a first antenna. The first antenna is connected to the first NFC chip and the sampling circuit, respectively. The sampling circuit is connected to the controller. The sampling circuit is used to receive the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device sensed by the first antenna. The first NFC chip is connected to the controller. The first NFC chip is used to transmit the excitation signal through the first antenna and induce the active NFC device to communicate according to the radio frequency signal emitted by the active NFC device. The first information is written on the first NFC chip.

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

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein The first antenna includes a grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal is used to ground the first antenna.

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

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein The device further comprises: The second NFC tag has a signal amplification capability and is configured to sense the active NFC device according to the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device to communicate and transmit the first information.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein The second NFC tag includes a second NFC chip and a second antenna connected to each other. The second NFC chip is connected to the controller. The second NFC chip is used to sense the active NFC device for communication according to the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device. The second NFC chip is written with the first information.

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

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein The second NFC tag further includes an amplifier, through which the second NFC chip and the second antenna are connected, and the amplifier is configured to amplify a signal output by the second NFC chip.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein The resonant frequency of the second antenna matches the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

11. The device according to claim 6, wherein The antenna of the second NFC tag and the antenna of the first NFC tag are arranged to overlap, and the antenna of the second NFC tag is spaced apart from the antenna of the first NFC tag by a preset distance.

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

13. The device according to claim 6, wherein The apparatus further includes at least one third NFC tag, wherein a portion of an antenna of the at least one third NFC tag is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion extends outward, and the third NFC tag is configured to enlarge an area in which radio frequency signals can be mutually induced between the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag and the active NFC device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein The at least one third NFC tag includes a third NFC chip and a third antenna connected to each other. The third NFC chip is connected to the controller and is used to induce the active NFC device to communicate according to the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device. The third NFC chip is written with the first information. A portion of the third antenna is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion extends outward.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein The resonant frequency of the third antenna matches the frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein The at least one third NFC tag includes a fourth antenna, a portion of which is coupled to the antenna of the first NFC tag and / or the second NFC tag, and another portion of which extends outward, and a resonant frequency of the fourth antenna matches a frequency of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is specifically configured to control the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal when the intensity of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and received by the first NFC tag is lower than a preset threshold.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein The controller is specifically configured to control the first NFC tag to transmit the excitation signal when the first NFC tag receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the active NFC device and the first information is not read.

19. A communication chip, applied to a communication device, the communication chip comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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

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