Communication device and communication system

Abstract

This communication device is provided with: a first communication unit that performs communication using a first communication method; a second communication unit that performs communication using a second communication method; and a control unit that activates the second communication unit when the first communication unit receives a trigger signal transmitted using the first communication method from another communication device.

Description

Communication device and communication system

[0001] The present technology relates to a communication device and a communication system.

[0002] There is a technology that connects multiple communication devices via wireless communication to perform payment processing, locking and unlocking doors, etc. A technology that uses UWB (Ultra Wide Band) as a wireless communication method has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2019-67370 A

[0004] Since UWB consumes a lot of power during scanning, one method is to first use a communication method with low power consumption such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to detect devices, negotiate, and activate UWB communication functions, and then communicate between communication devices using UWB.

[0005] However, the communication range of BLE can reach up to 100 m or more depending on the conditions, and is generally wider than that of UWB, which poses the problem that the UWB communication function of a communication device that does not need to communicate via UWB may be activated.

[0006] The present technology has been made in consideration of such points, and has an object to provide a communication device and a communication system that can enable communication only with communication devices that need to communicate.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first technology is a communication device including a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method, a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method, and a control unit that activates the second communication unit when the first communication unit receives a trigger signal transmitted using the first communication method from another communication device.

[0008] The second technology is a communication device that has a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method and a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method, and that transmits a trigger signal using the first communication method to activate the communication unit of the other communication device in order to communicate with the other communication device using the second communication method.

[0009] The third technology is a communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device capable of communicating using a first communication method and a second communication method, wherein the first communication device transmits a trigger signal to the second communication device using the first communication method, and the second communication device activates a communication function for communicating using the second communication method upon receiving the trigger signal transmitted from the first communication device.

[0010] FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing the configurations of a communication system 100, a provider-side communication device 10, and a user-side communication device 20 in a first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the communication range of the provider-side communication device 10 and the position of the user-side communication device 20 in a first embodiment. FIG. 5C is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the communication system 100 in a first embodiment. FIG. 5D is a block diagram showing the configurations of a communication system 100 and a server 30 in a second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a preamble code, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the configuration of a UWB signal frame. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing the communication range of the provider-side communication device 10 and the position of the user-side communication device 20 in a second embodiment. FIG. 5D is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the communication system 100 in a second embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order: <First embodiment> [Configuration of communication system 100] [Configuration of provider-side communication device 10] [Configuration of user-side communication device 20] [Communication processing] <Second embodiment> [Configuration of communication system 100] [Configuration of server 30] [Configuration of provider-side communication device 10] [Configuration of user-side communication device 20] [Communication processing] <Modification>

[0012] <Embodiment> [Configuration of communication system 100] The configuration of a communication system 100 according to the present technology will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 100 is configured from a provider communication device 10 and a user communication device 20. The provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20 have wireless communication functions and are capable of transmitting and receiving various data via wireless communication without going through an access point. In this embodiment, the provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20 are capable of communicating using two communication methods: a first communication method and a second communication method.

[0013] In this embodiment, the first communication method is communication using the low frequency (LF) band (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as LF communication). LF communication is wireless communication using a long wave band of 135 kHz or less, and the communication distance is approximately 1 to 5 m, although this distance can be adjusted depending on the output power and antenna size. LF is a communication method with a narrower communication range than the second communication method, which uses ultra wide band (UWB).

[0014] The second communication method is communication that transmits and receives signals using UWB (hereinafter sometimes referred to as UWB communication). UWB communication is a wireless communication method that uses an ultra-wideband frequency bandwidth of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, and is capable of highly accurate ranging and positioning with an error of approximately ±10 cm. While this varies by country, in Japan, the low band is 3.4 to 4.8 GHz, and the high band is 7.25 to 10.25 GHz. The communication range of UWB is typically a radius of approximately 10 m, enabling high-speed communication with low power consumption. Specifications and detailed communication procedures are defined in standards such as IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.15.4z.

[0015] Although one provider communication device 10 and one user communication device 20 are shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 may include a plurality of provider communication devices 10 and a plurality of user communication devices 20 .

[0016] [Configuration of Provider Communication Device 10] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the provider communication device 10. The provider communication device 10 is a communication device on the side that provides services and systems that can be realized by the present technology.

[0017] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The CPU controls the provider communication device 10 as a whole and each unit by executing various processes and issuing commands according to programs stored in the ROM.

[0018] The storage unit 12 is configured with a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, a solid-state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, and stores programs necessary for the provider communication device 10 to operate and various information necessary for communication.

[0019] The LF communication unit 13 is configured with an LF wireless communication module. Under the control of the control unit 11, the LF communication unit 13 transmits a trigger signal to the user-side communication device 20 via LF communication to cause the user-side communication device 20 to activate the UWB communication unit 24. The LF communication unit 13 is an example of a first communication unit in the claims.

[0020] The UWB communication unit 14 is configured by a UWB wireless communication module. The UWB communication unit 14 performs UWB communication with the user-side communication device 20 under the control of the control unit 11. The UWB communication unit 14 is an example of a second communication unit in the claims.

[0021] The control unit 11 establishes a UWB link with the use-side communication device 20 and generates a polling signal for UWB communication with the use-side communication device 20. A connection request for UWB communication is made by transmitting this polling signal to the use-side communication device 20 via communication by the UWB communication unit 14. When the control unit 11 receives a response to the polling signal from the use-side communication device 20 via the UWB communication unit 14, the control unit 11 establishes a UWB link with the use-side communication device 20.

[0022] In addition, although not shown in the figure, the provider communication device 10 may also be equipped with input units such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel that the user uses to input various instructions, and a display that displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and content, etc.

[0023] [Configuration of the user-side communication device 20] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the user-side communication device 20. The user-side communication device 20 is a communication device on the side that uses a service or system that can be realized by the present technology.

[0024] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU controls the entire user-side communication device 20 and each unit thereof by executing various processes and issuing commands according to programs stored in the ROM.

[0025] The storage unit 22 is configured by a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, SSD, or flash memory, and stores programs necessary for the user-side communication device 20 to operate and various information necessary for communication.

[0026] The LF communication unit 23 is configured with an LF wireless communication module. The LF communication unit 23 performs LF communication with the provider communication device 10 under the control of the control unit 21. The use-side communication device 20 receives a trigger signal transmitted from the provider communication device 10 via LF communication. The LF communication unit 23 is an example of a first communication unit in the claims.

[0027] The UWB communication unit 24 is configured with a UWB wireless communication module. The UWB communication unit 24 performs UWB communication with the provider communication device 10 under the control of the control unit 21. The UWB communication unit 24 is turned off by default, and the user communication device 20 is in a state where it does not perform UWB communication. When the LF communication unit 23 receives a trigger signal from the provider communication device 10, the control unit 21 activates the UWB communication unit 24 to put the user communication device 20 in a state where UWB communication is possible. The UWB communication unit 24 is an example of a second communication unit in the claims.

[0028] Furthermore, when the control unit 21 receives a polling signal transmitted from the provider communication device 10 via the UWB communication unit 24 , the control unit 21 controls the UWB communication unit 24 to transmit a response to the provider communication device 10 .

[0029] In addition, although not shown in the figure, the user-side communication device 20 may also be equipped with an input unit such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel that the user uses to input various instructions, and a display that displays a GUI, content, etc.

[0030] This technology can be applied to various wireless communication systems in which a provider communication device 10 needs to communicate wirelessly with an unspecified number of user communication devices 20, such as touchless payment systems, touchless ticket gate systems, entry / exit management systems, and smart key systems.

[0031] The provider communication device 10 may be, for example, an electronic device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a robot, or may be a dedicated terminal for various wireless communication systems to which the present technology is applied, such as a dedicated touchless payment terminal, a touchless ticket gate terminal, an entrance / exit system terminal, or a smart key terminal. When the provider communication device 10 is used for touchless payment, the provider communication device 10 needs to be equipped with a payment application. The same applies to touchless ticket gates, entrance / exit systems, smart keys, etc., and each device needs to be equipped with an application appropriate for its respective purpose.

[0032] The user-side communication device 20 can be configured as a mobile device that can be carried or worn by a user, such as an electronic device such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a wearable device. If the user-side communication device 20 is an electronic device that does not have an LF communication function, the user-side communication device 20 may be configured as having an LF communication function by connecting an LF communication chip that functions as the LF communication unit 23 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or the like. Furthermore, the user-side communication device 20 may have an LF communication function by incorporating an LF chip in advance into the housing of the user-side communication device 20. If the user-side communication device 20 is used for touchless payment, the user-side communication device 20 needs to be equipped with a payment application. The same applies to touchless ticket gates, entry / exit systems, and smart keys, and each needs to be equipped with an application according to its respective use.

[0033] The user-side communication device 20 may also be configured as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag device that can be attached to an object. In this case, the RFID tag device is manufactured to include a controller as a control unit, a battery, an LF communication chip, and an UWB communication chip.

[0034] The provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20 may be configured as dedicated devices that perform the communication processing of the present technology, or the provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20 may be configured by running a program on an existing electronic device that has a communication function. The program may be pre-installed on the electronic device, or may be distributed by download or storage medium, etc., and installed by the user. Furthermore, the functions of the present technology may be realized not only by a program, but also by a combination of dedicated hardware devices, circuits, etc. that have the functions.

[0035] When applying this technology to a wireless communication system such as a touchless payment system, it is advisable to adjust the output power and antenna size in advance so that the maximum LF communication distance is approximately 1 to 1.5 m in the provider communication device 10. By setting the LF communication distance to approximately 1 to 1.5 m, only the user communication device 20 held by a user who approaches the provider communication device 10 to use touchless payment or the like can perform UWB communication with the provider communication device 10.

[0036] 2 and 3, the processing in the communication system 100 will be described. In Fig. 2, a thick circle indicates the LF communication range of the provider communication device 10, and a thin circle indicates the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10.

[0037] 2, it is assumed that there is one provider-side communication device 10 and four surrounding user-side communication devices 20, that is, a user-side communication device 20A, a user-side communication device 20B, a user-side communication device 20C, and a user-side communication device 20D. The user-side communication device 20A, the user-side communication device 20B, the user-side communication device 20C, and the user-side communication device 20D are each owned by a different user, and the position of each user communication device 20 changes as each user moves.

[0038] Although not shown in the figures, the UWB communication unit 24 of the user-side communication device 20A is referred to as UWB communication unit 24A, the UWB communication unit 24 of the user-side communication device 20B is referred to as UWB communication unit 24B, the UWB communication unit 24 of the user-side communication device 20C is referred to as UWB communication unit 24C, and the UWB communication unit 24 of the user-side communication device 20D is referred to as UWB communication unit 24D.

[0039] The user-side communication device 20A, the user-side communication device 20B, and the user-side communication device 20C are present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10. The user-side communication device 20A and the user-side communication device 20B are present within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10. The user-side communication device 20D is present outside the UWB communication range and the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10.

[0040] First, in step S101, the provider-side communication device 10 broadcasts a trigger signal via LF communication to all of the user-side communication devices 20 that are present within the LF communication range. As shown in Fig. 2 , the user-side communication devices 20A and 20B are present within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, and therefore the user-side communication devices 20A and 20B receive the trigger signal from the provider-side communication device 10.

[0041] When the user-side communication device 20A, which is present within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, receives the trigger signal transmitted from the provider-side communication device 10, it turns on the UWB communication unit 24A and activates the UWB communication function, as shown in step S102.

[0042] In addition, when the user-side communication device 20B, which is within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, receives the trigger signal transmitted from the provider-side communication device 10, it turns on the UWB communication unit 24B and activates the UWB communication function, as shown in step S103.

[0043] The trigger signal from the provider-side communication device 10 does not reach the user-side communication device 20C and the user-side communication device 20D, which are not within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10. Therefore, the user-side communication device 20C does not turn on the UWB communication unit 24C, and the user-side communication device 20D does not turn on the UWB communication unit 24D.

[0044] Next, in step S104, the provider communication device 10 broadcasts a polling signal for detecting the user communication device 20 by UWB communication to all the user communication devices 20 present within the UWB communication range. By transmitting the polling signal not by Pear to Pear but by using a contention-based ranging mode that allows for parallel device detection using UWB communication, the provider communication device 10 can efficiently detect a plurality of user communication devices 20.

[0045] Then, as shown in step S105, the user-side communication device 20A, which has received the polling signal from the provider-side communication device 10, transmits a response to the provider-side communication device 10 by UWB communication.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in step S106, the user-side communication device 20B, which has received the polling signal from the provider-side communication device 10, transmits a response to the provider-side communication device 10 by UWB communication.

[0047] The user-side communication device 20A, the user-side communication device 20B, and the user-side communication device 20C are within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, but the devices that respond to the polling signal are the user-side communication device 20A with its UWB communication unit 24A activated and the user-side communication device 20B with its UWB communication unit 24B activated.

[0048] Then, as shown in step S107, the provider communication device 10 that has received the response from the use-side communication device 20A establishes a UWB link with the use-side communication device 20A. Also, as shown in step S108, the provider communication device 10 that has received the response from the use-side communication device 20B establishes a UWB link with the use-side communication device 20B. In the state of Fig. 2, only the use-side communication device 20A and the use-side communication device 20B that are present within the LF communication range establish a UWB link with the provider communication device 10.

[0049] After the UWB link is established, various communication processes such as touchless payment, touchless ticket gates, and locking and unlocking doors using a smart key can be performed using UWB communication between the provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20A. Furthermore, these communication processes can also be performed using UWB communication between the provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20B.

[0050] The user-side communication device 20C is present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10 but outside the LF communication range, and therefore does not receive the trigger signal transmitted by LF communication from the provider-side communication device 10, and the UWB communication unit 24C does not start up. Therefore, although the user-side communication device 20C is present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, it does not transmit a response to the provider-side communication device 10, and a UWB link with the provider-side communication device 10 is not established.

[0051] Since the user-side communication device 20D is located outside the UWB communication range and outside the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, the UWB communication unit 24D does not start up and a UWB link with the provider-side communication device 10 is not established.

[0052] In this way, UWB communication is initiated by the user communication device 20 responding to a polling signal transmitted by UWB communication from the provider communication device 10. Since the LF communication range is narrower than the UWB communication range, the user communication devices 20 that can activate the UWB communication function and perform UWB communication with the provider communication device 10 are limited to those that exist in the vicinity of the provider communication device 10.

[0053] The processing of the first embodiment is performed as described above. According to the first embodiment, when UWB communication is performed between a provider communication device 10 and an unspecified number of user communication devices 20, only the user communication devices 20 that need to communicate can be enabled for UWB communication. The UWB communication unit 24 of the user communication device 20 is activated using UWB and LF, which has a narrower communication range than BLE, which has traditionally been used in combination with UWB. As a result, the user communication devices 20 that can communicate with the provider communication device 10 via UWB are limited to those located in the vicinity of the provider communication device 10, and when UWB communication is required, the provider communication device 10 can quickly start UWB communication with nearby user communication devices 20.

[0054] Furthermore, by limiting the user communication devices 20 that can communicate with the provider communication device 10 via UWB to those that are present in the vicinity of the provider communication device 10, even if there are multiple user communication devices 20 around the provider communication device 10, the provider communication devices 10 that communicate via UWB are limited. This reduces the frequency of interference in UWB communication and communication errors, thereby improving communication performance. Furthermore, reducing unnecessary communication stabilizes communication processing.

[0055] Furthermore, in a user-side communication device 20 that is outside the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10, the UWB communication unit 24 does not start up and scanning is not performed. This prevents the problem of the UWB communication unit 24 in a user-side communication device 20 that does not need to communicate from starting up. This also reduces power consumption in a user-side communication device 20 that does not need to communicate. Furthermore, because there is no need to keep the UWB communication unit 24 running all the time, power consumption in the user-side communication device 20 can be reduced, and the frequency of charging and battery replacement can also be reduced.

[0056] When the provider communication device 10 receives a response to the polling signal from the user communication device 20, it is able to measure the distance to the user communication device 20 by UWB. Using the distance measurement result, for example, when multiple user communication devices 20 exist within the LF communication range of the provider communication device 10, it is possible to determine the user communication device 20 that is closest to the provider communication device 10 as the device that will perform UWB communication, or to determine the device that will be the target of processing for a specific application.

[0057] Second Embodiment [Configuration of Communication System 100] The configuration of a communication system 100 in a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the second embodiment, the communication system 100 is configured from a plurality of provider communication devices 10, a server 30 connected to the plurality of provider communication devices 10, and a plurality of user communication devices 20.

[0058] Although there is no limit to the number of provider-side communication devices 10, the second embodiment will be described using an example in which there are a provider-side communication device 10A, a provider-side communication device 10B, and a provider-side communication device 10C. The provider-side communication device 10A, the provider-side communication device 10B, and the provider-side communication device 10C are each connected to a server 30. Furthermore, although there is no limit to the number of user-side communication devices 20, the second embodiment will be described using an example in which there are a user-side communication device 20A, a user-side communication device 20B, and a user-side communication device 20C.

[0059] [Configuration of Server 30] The following describes the configuration of the server 30. The server 30 is configured to include at least a server control unit 31, a server storage unit 32, and a server communication unit 33.

[0060] The server control unit 31 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The CPU executes various processes according to the programs stored in the ROM and issues commands, thereby controlling the entire server 30 and each unit.

[0061] The server control unit 31 specifies a unique preamble code pattern for each of all provider communication devices 10 connected to the server 30. The preamble code for the provider communication device 10A is preamble code A, the preamble code for the provider communication device 10B is preamble code B, and the preamble code for the provider communication device 10C is preamble code C. The preamble codes have a code pattern such as that shown in Fig. 5A, for example. The preamble codes are transmitted by the provider communication device 10 together with a polling signal, and the frame structure of the polling signal including the preamble codes is as shown in Fig. 5B.

[0062] Furthermore, the server control unit 31 controls the sending of polling signal transmission requests at different timings to each provider communication device 10 in order to perform exclusive control of the timing of polling signal transmissions performed by each of the multiple provider communication devices 10. The server 30 arbitrates the communication timings of the provider communication device 10 and the user communication device 20.

[0063] The server storage unit 32 is configured with a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, SSD, or flash memory, and stores programs and various information necessary for operating the communication system 100.

[0064] The server communication unit 33 is a communication interface that communicates with the provider communication device 10. The communication method may be either wired or wireless. Examples of communication methods include cellular communication, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), and USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0065] [Configuration of the provider communication device 10] The configuration of the provider communication device 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the control unit 11 generates a unique preamble code designated by the server 30 and performs control so as to transmit the preamble code number together with a trigger signal via LF communication.

[0066] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a polling signal transmission request transmitted from the server 30, it controls the transmission of a polling signal to the use-side communication device 20 present within the UWB communication range. Since the server 30 transmits polling signal transmission requests to the multiple provider communication devices 10 at different timings, the multiple provider communication devices 10 will transmit polling signals to the use-side communication device 20 at different timings. This allows arbitration of the communication timings of the provider communication device 10 and the use-side communication device 20, making it possible to prevent interference caused by overlapping transmission timings of polling signals in the multiple provider communication devices 10.

[0067] [Configuration of the user-side communication device 20] The configuration of the user-side communication device 20 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the control unit 21 selects a preamble code unique to itself based on the preamble code number transmitted from the provider-side communication device 10 via LF communication, and sets the selected preamble code in the UWB communication unit 24.

[0068] In addition, the control unit 21 controls the UWB communication unit 24 to send a response to the polling signal to the provider communication device 10 only when the preamble code set in the UWB communication unit 24 based on the preamble code number sent from the provider communication device 10 via LF communication matches the preamble code sent from the provider communication device 10 via UWB communication.

[0069] [Communication Processing] Next, processing in the communication system 100 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0070] 6, a provider communication device 10A, a provider communication device 10B, and a provider communication device 10C are installed so that their UWB communication ranges partially overlap. A user communication device 20A, a user communication device 20B, and a user communication device 20C are located near the provider communication device 10. The user communication device 20A, the user communication device 20B, and the user communication device 20C are each owned by a different user, and the location of each user communication device 20 changes as each user moves.

[0071] In FIG. 6, the thick-lined circles indicate the LF communication range of each provider communication device 10, and the thin-lined circles indicate the UWB communication range of each provider communication device 10.

[0072] Only the user-side communication device 20A exists within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10A, and the user-side communication device 20A and the user-side communication device 20B exist within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10A.

[0073] Only the user-side communication device 20B exists within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10B. Furthermore, the user-side communication device 20A, the user-side communication device 20B, and the user-side communication device 20C exist within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10B.

[0074] Only the user-side communication device 20C exists within the LF communication range of the provider-side communication device 10C, and the user-side communication device 20B and the user-side communication device 20C exist within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10C.

[0075] The UWB communication ranges of the provider communication device 10A, the provider communication device 10B, and the provider communication device 10C partially overlap. Therefore, the user communication device 20A is located within the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10A and the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10B. Furthermore, the user communication device 20B is located within the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10A, the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10B, and the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10C. Furthermore, the user communication device 20C is located within the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10B and the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10C.

[0076] Before starting the process shown in Figure 7, the server 30 determines the patterns of preamble code A for provider communication device 10A, preamble code B for provider communication device 10B, and preamble code C for provider communication device 10C, and each provider communication device 10 has already generated its own preamble code.

[0077] First, as shown in step S201, the provider communication device 10A broadcasts a trigger signal and a preamble code number A via LF communication to all user communication devices 20 that are present within the LF communication range. As shown in Fig. 6 , since only the user communication device 20A is present within the LF communication range of the provider communication device 10A, only the user communication device 20A receives the trigger signal and preamble code number A from the provider communication device 10A.

[0078] Then, in step S202, the user-side communication device 20A, which has received the trigger signal from the provider-side communication device 10A, activates the UWB communication unit 24A. The user-side communication device 20A also sets the preamble code A as its own unique preamble code.

[0079] Also, as shown in step S203, the provider communication device 10B broadcasts a trigger signal and preamble code number B via LF communication to all user communication devices 20 that are present within the LF communication range. As shown in Fig. 6 , since only the user communication device 20B is present within the LF communication range of the provider communication device 10B, only the user communication device 20B receives the trigger signal and preamble code number B from the provider communication device 10B.

[0080] Then, in step S204, the user-side communication device 20B, which has received the trigger signal from the provider-side communication device 10B, activates the UWB communication unit 24. The user-side communication device 20B also sets the preamble code B as a preamble code unique to itself.

[0081] Also, as shown in step S205, the provider communication device 10C broadcasts a trigger signal and a preamble code number C via LF communication to all user communication devices 20 present within the LF communication range. As shown in Fig. 6 , since only the user communication device 20C exists within the LF communication range of the provider communication device 10C, only the user communication device 20C receives the trigger signal and preamble code number C from the provider communication device 10C.

[0082] Then, in step S206, the user-side communication device 20C, which has received the trigger signal from the provider-side communication device 10C, activates the UWB communication unit 24. The user-side communication device 20C also sets the preamble code C as a preamble code unique to itself.

[0083] It should be noted that the transmission of the trigger signal and preamble code does not have to be performed in the order of provider communication device 10A, provider communication device 10B, provider communication device 10C; since each provider communication device 10 performs the transmission, they can be performed in any order, or can be performed simultaneously or nearly simultaneously.

[0084] Next, as shown in step S207, the server 30 transmits a polling signal transmission request to the provider communication device 10 A. Upon receiving the polling signal transmission request from the server 30, the provider communication device 10 A broadcasts a polling signal using preamble code A via UWB communication to all user communication devices 20 present within the UWB communication range in step S208.

[0085] 6, the user-side communication device 20A and the user-side communication device 20B are present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10A, but it is the user-side communication device 20A that corresponds to the preamble code A. Therefore, when the user-side communication device 20A receives the preamble code A from the provider-side communication device 10A, it matches its own unique preamble code, so it synchronizes with the signal, receives the polling signal, and transmits a response to the provider-side communication device 10A via UWB communication as shown in step S209.

[0086] On the other hand, the user communication device 20B, which is within the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10A, detects the polling signal from the provider communication device 10A, but because the preamble code A is different from its own unique preamble code, the signal is not synchronized and is not decoded as polling, so it does not send a response to the provider communication device 10A.

[0087] Then, as shown in step S210, the provider communication device 10A that has received the response from the user communication device 20A establishes a UWB link with the user communication device 20A. After the UWB link is established, various communication processes such as touchless payment, touchless ticket gates, and locking and unlocking doors using a smart key can be performed using UWB communication between the provider communication device 10A and the user communication device 20A.

[0088] Furthermore, as shown in step S211, the server 30 transmits a polling signal transmission request to the provider communication device 10B. Upon receiving the polling signal transmission request from the server 30, the provider communication device 10B broadcasts a polling signal using preamble code B via UWB communication to all user communication devices 20 present within the UWB communication range in step S212.

[0089] 6, the user-side communication device 20A, the user-side communication device 20B, and the user-side communication device 20C are present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10B, but it is the user-side communication device 20B that corresponds to the preamble code B. Therefore, when the user-side communication device 20B receives the preamble code B from the provider-side communication device 10B, it matches its own unique preamble code, so it synchronizes with the signal, receives the polling signal, and transmits a response to the provider-side communication device 10B via UWB communication as shown in step S213.

[0090] On the other hand, although the user-side communication device 20A and the user-side communication device 20C that are within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10B detect the polling signal from the provider-side communication device 10B, since the preamble code B is different from their own unique preamble code, the signal is not synchronized and is not decoded as polling, and therefore no response is sent to the provider-side communication device 10B.

[0091] Then, as shown in step S214, the provider communication device 10B that has received the response from the user communication device 20B establishes a UWB link with the user communication device 20B. After the UWB link is established, various communication processes such as touchless payment, touchless ticket gates, and locking and unlocking doors using a smart key can be performed using UWB communication between the provider communication device 10B and the user communication device 20B.

[0092] Furthermore, as shown in step S215, the server 30 transmits a polling signal transmission request to the provider communication device 10 C. Upon receiving the polling signal transmission request from the server 30, the provider communication device 10 C broadcasts a polling signal using the preamble code C via UWB communication to all user communication devices 20 present within the UWB communication range in step S216.

[0093] 6, the user-side communication device 20B and the user-side communication device 20C are present within the UWB communication range of the provider-side communication device 10C, but it is the user-side communication device 20C that corresponds to the preamble code C. Therefore, when the user-side communication device 20C receives the preamble code C from the provider-side communication device 10C, it matches its own unique preamble code, so it synchronizes with the signal, receives the polling signal, and transmits a response to the provider-side communication device 10C via UWB communication as shown in step S217.

[0094] On the other hand, the user communication device 20B, which is present within the UWB communication range of the provider communication device 10C, detects the polling signal itself from the provider communication device 10C, but does not send a response to the provider communication device 10C because the preamble code C is different from its own unique preamble code.

[0095] Then, as shown in step S218, the provider communication device 10C that has received the response from the user communication device 20C establishes a UWB link with the user communication device 20C. After the UWB link is established, various communication processes such as touchless payment, touchless ticket gates, and locking and unlocking doors using a smart key can be performed using UWB communication between the provider communication device 10C and the user communication device 20C.

[0096] In this way, the provider communication device 10A can perform UWB communication only with the nearest user communication device 20A. The provider communication device 10B can perform UWB communication only with the nearest user communication device 20B. The provider communication device 10C can perform UWB communication only with the nearest user communication device 20C.

[0097] In Figure 7, the server 30 sends polling signal transmission requests in the order of user-side communication device 20A, user-side communication device 20B, and user-side communication device 20C, but this is just an example, and the polling signal transmission requests can be sent in any order as long as the timing is different.

[0098] In Figures 6 and 7, the explanation is given using three provider communication devices 10 and three user communication devices 20, but this is merely an example, and the number of provider communication devices 10 and user communication devices 20 may be more or less than three, and the number of provider communication devices 10 and user communication devices 20 does not have to be the same.

[0099] The processing of the second embodiment is performed as described above. According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, even when there are multiple provider communication devices 10 and their UWB communication ranges overlap, each provider communication device 10 can perform UWB communication with the nearest user communication device 20. This avoids unnecessary communication, making it possible to achieve stable and fast communication processing and reduced power consumption.

[0100] The second embodiment is useful, for example, in a touchless payment system in which multiple touchless payment terminals are closely spaced, a touchless ticket gate terminal in which multiple touchless ticket gate terminals are closely spaced, or a smart key system that may be used in an environment where multiple automobiles are lined up.

[0101] <Modifications> Although the embodiments of the present technology have been specifically described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications based on the technical ideas of the present technology are possible.

[0102] The first communication method is not limited to LF, and may be ISO / IEC 15693. Since ISO / IEC 15693 has a maximum communication distance of approximately 0.5 to 1 m, which is shorter than UWB communication, it is possible to realize a communication system 100 similar to the embodiment using LF. When ISO / IEC 15693 is used as the first communication method, the ISO / IEC 15693 communication function that the mobile device already has may be used, or a dedicated tag device equipped with ISO / IEC 15693 communication function may be configured.

[0103] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) A communication device comprising: a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method; a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method; and a control unit that activates the second communication unit when the first communication unit receives a trigger signal transmitted from another communication device using the first communication method. (2) The communication device described in (1), in which the first communication method is a communication method with a narrower communication range than the second communication method. (3) The communication device described in (1) or (2), in which, when receiving a polling signal transmitted from the other communication device using the second communication method, the communication device transmits a response to the other communication device using the second communication method. (4) The communication device described in any of (1) to (3), which selects and sets its own unique preamble code based on a specific preamble code number transmitted from the other communication device together with the trigger signal using the first communication method. (5) The communication device according to (4), which transmits a response to the other communication device using the second communication method when a preamble code transmitted from the other communication device together with the polling signal using the second communication method matches the preamble code unique to the other communication device. (6) The communication device according to any of (1) to (5), wherein the first communication method is LF communication. (7) The communication device according to any of (1) to (6), wherein the maximum communication range of the first communication method is approximately 1 m to 1.5 m. (8) The communication device according to any of (1) to (7), wherein the first communication method is ISO / IEC 15693. (9) The communication device according to any of (1) to (8), wherein the second communication method is UWB communication. (10) The communication device according to any of (1) to (9), which is configured as a mobile device. (11) The communication device according to any of (1) to (9), which is configured as a tag device. (12) A communication device comprising: a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method; and a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method; and transmitting a trigger signal using the first communication method to activate the communication unit of another communication device in order to communicate with the other communication device using the second communication method.(13) The communication device according to (12), which transmits a polling signal to the other communication device using the second communication method, and, upon receiving a response to the polling signal from the other communication device, establishes communication with the other communication device using the second communication method. (14) The communication device according to (12) or (13), which transmits information on a specific preamble code number as a preamble code unique to the other communication device together with the trigger signal using the first communication method. (15) The communication device according to (14), which transmits, using the second communication method, a preamble code identical to the specific preamble code transmitted to the other communication device using the first communication method. (16) A communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device capable of communicating using a first communication method and a second communication method, wherein the first communication device transmits a trigger signal to the second communication device using the first communication method, and the second communication device activates a communication function for communicating using the second communication method upon receiving the trigger signal transmitted from the first communication device. (17) The communication system according to (16), wherein a server arbitrates communication timings of a plurality of first communication devices and second communication devices capable of communicating using the first communication method and the second communication method.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10: Provider communication device 13: LF communication unit 14: UWB communication unit 20: Use communication device 21: Control unit 23: LF communication unit 24: UWB communication unit 100: Communication system

Claims

1. A communication device comprising: a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method; a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method; and a control unit that activates the second communication unit when the first communication unit receives a trigger signal transmitted using the first communication method from another communication device.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is a communication method having a narrower communication range than the second communication method.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, upon receiving a polling signal transmitted from said other communication device in said second communication method, said communication device transmits a response to said other communication device in said second communication method.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device selects and sets its own unique preamble code based on a specific preamble code number transmitted together with the trigger signal from the other communication device in the first communication method.

5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein if the preamble code transmitted together with the polling signal from the other communication device in the second communication method matches the preamble code unique to the communication device, the communication device transmits a response to the other communication device in the second communication method.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is LF communication.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum communication range of the first communication method is approximately 1 m to 1.5 m.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is ISO / IEC 15693.

9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second communication method is UWB communication.

10. The communication device of claim 1 configured as a mobile device.

11. The communication device according to claim 1, configured as a tag device.

12. A communication device comprising: a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication method; and a second communication unit that communicates using a second communication method; and transmitting a trigger signal using the first communication method to activate the communication unit of another communication device in order to communicate with the other communication device using the second communication method.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, which transmits a polling signal to the other communication device using the second communication method, and when it receives a response to the polling signal from the other communication device, establishes communication with the other communication device using the second communication method.

14. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein information on a specific preamble code number is transmitted as a preamble code unique to the other communication device together with the trigger signal in the first communication method.

15. The communication device according to claim 14, wherein the communication device transmits to the other communication device, using the second communication method, a preamble code identical to the specific preamble code transmitted to the other communication device using the first communication method.

16. A communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device capable of communicating using a first communication method and a second communication method, wherein the first communication device transmits a trigger signal to the second communication device using the first communication method, and the second communication device activates a communication function for communicating using the second communication method upon receiving the trigger signal transmitted from the first communication device.

17. The communication system according to claim 16, wherein the server arbitrates communication timings of a plurality of first communication devices and second communication devices that can communicate using the first communication method and the second communication method.

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