U.S. patent application number 12/499715 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for communication apparatus and communication control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Hideyuki NAKAGAWA.
Application Number | 20100022188 12/499715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41569076 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100022188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAGAWA; Hideyuki |
January 28, 2010 |
COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a communication apparatus comprises
a close proximity wireless transfer device, a closeness detection
module and a device control module. The close proximity wireless
transfer device executes a close proximity wireless transfer. The
closeness detection module detects that the close proximity
wireless transfer device and an external device are in a close
proximity state. Power which the closeness detection module
consumes is lower than power which the close proximity wireless
transfer device consumes in an idle state. The device control
module is configured to activate the close proximity wireless
transfer device when the closeness detection module detects the
close proximity state.
Inventors: |
NAKAGAWA; Hideyuki;
(Koganei-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41569076 |
Appl. No.: |
12/499715 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/42 20180101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; Y02D 70/166 20180101; H04B 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.2 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/00 20060101
H04B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 24, 2008 |
JP |
2008-191024 |
Claims
1. A communication apparatus comprising: a close proximity wireless
transfer device configured to execute a close proximity wireless
transfer; a closeness detection module configured to detect that
the close proximity wireless transfer device and an external device
are in a close proximity state, wherein power consumed by the
closeness detection module is less than power consumed by the close
proximity wireless transfer device in an idle state; and a device
controller configured to activate the close proximity wireless
transfer device when the closeness detection module detects the
close proximity state.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closeness detection module
is configured to detect the close proximity state when the external
device is within a predetermined distance from the close proximity
wireless transfer device.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the predetermined distance is
greater than or equal to a range of communication of the close
proximity wireless transfer device, and a difference between the
predetermined distance and the range of communication is shorter
than or equal to a predetermined value.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the close proximity wireless
transfer device is configured to be set either in a state where the
close proximity wireless transfer device waits for a connection
request from the external device, or in a state where the close
proximity wireless transfer device sends a connection request to
the external device when the device controller activates the close
proximity wireless transfer device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device controller is
configured either to set the close proximity wireless transfer
device from a power saving state to an operation state or to turn
on the close proximity wireless transfer device when the closeness
detection module detects the close proximity state.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the device controller is
configured either to set the close proximity wireless transfer
device in the power saving state or to turn off the close proximity
wireless transfer device when the closeness detection module
detects cancellation of the close proximity state.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the device controller is
configured either to set the close proximity wireless transfer
device in the power saving state or to turn off the close proximity
wireless transfer device a predetermined time after the closeness
detection module detects the cancellation of the close proximity
state.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the close proximity wireless
transfer device is configured to change to either a power saving
state or a power-off state when disconnection from the external
device is detected.
9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the close proximity wireless
transfer device is configured to be set either in a state where the
close proximity wireless transfer device waits for a connection
request from the external device, or in a state where the close
proximity wireless transfer device sends a connection request to
the external device when the device controller activates the close
proximity wireless transfer device.
10. A communication control method of controlling a first close
proximity wireless transfer device of a first communication
apparatus and a second close proximity wireless transfer device of
a second communication apparatus, comprising: activating a program
for executing data transfer using the first close proximity
wireless transfer device in response to a predetermined user entry
on the first communication apparatus; either setting the first
close proximity wireless transfer device from a power saving state
to an operation state or turning on the first close proximity
wireless transfer device, after the program is executed; detecting
a close proximity state between the first communication apparatus
and the second communication apparatus by a closeness detection
module of the second communication apparatus; and either setting
the second close proximity wireless transfer device from a power
saving state to an operation state or turning on the second close
proximity wireless transfer device when the close proximity state
between the first communication apparatus and the second
communication apparatus is detected.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-191024, filed
Jul. 24, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] One embodiment of the invention relates to a communication
apparatus and communication control method which communicates by
means of a close proximity wireless transfer method.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In a close proximity wireless transfer method, when the user
brings devices close to each other, the devices can communicate
with each other. Since this operation is intuitive and simple for
the user, the close proximity wireless transfer is promised to be
widespread in portable terminal devices and the like in the
future.
[0006] A device of the close proximity wireless transfer method
needs to execute standby processing for receiving a signal sent
from another device. Consequently, the device consumes power even
in a standby state in which communication such as data transfer is
not actually made. Since the device using the close proximity
wireless transfer method is used in a portable terminal device or
the like, and long-term, continuous use is assumed, it is desirable
to reduce the power consumption as much as possible.
[0007] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-311918 discloses
a potable terminal device including a magnetic sensor and infrared
communication module. The infrared ray has strong directivity. To
successfully make infrared communication, therefore, precise
alignment is necessary. In the portable terminal device of Jpn.
Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-311918, the magnetic sensor
is used to align the infrared communication module of the device
with that of another device. If the magnetic sensor detects that
the portable terminal devices are aligned with each other, the
devices can execute infrared communication.
[0008] The portable terminal device of Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 2005-311918 does not consider the distance to
another device. If the devices are in a close proximity state,
i.e., if the distance between them falls within a predetermined
range of communication, it is possible to execute close proximity
wireless transfer. To efficiently reduce the power consumption of
the close proximity wireless transfer, therefore, it is necessary
to implement a new power saving technique which considers the
distance between the devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A general architecture that implements the various features
of the invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the
scope of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing the arrangement
of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exemplary view for explaining an example of use
of two communication apparatuses according to the embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of
processing when two communication apparatuses according to the
embodiment enter a close proximity state; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of
processing when the two communication apparatuses according to the
embodiment cancel the close proximity state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Various embodiments according to the invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a communication apparatus comprising: a close proximity
wireless transfer device configured to execute a close proximity
wireless transfer; a closeness detection module configured to
detect that the close proximity wireless transfer device and an
external device are in a close proximity state, wherein power which
the closeness detection module consumes is lower than power which
the close proximity wireless transfer device consumes in an idle
state; and a device control module configured to activate the close
proximity wireless transfer device when the closeness detection
module detects the close proximity state.
[0015] First, the arrangement of a communication apparatus 200
according to one embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 1. This communication apparatus
200 is implemented as, e.g., a portable terminal device such as a
cellular phone or PDA, a personal computer, or a consumer device
such as a TV or audio player. The communication apparatus 200
includes a system control module 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, close
proximity wireless transfer device 204, closeness detection module
205, and device enable/disable module 206.
[0016] The system control module 201 controls the operations of
respective modules of the communication apparatus 200. The system
control module 201 includes a CPU 201a, and is connected to the ROM
202, RAM 203, close proximity wireless transfer device 204,
closeness detection module 205, and device enable/disable module
206.
[0017] The RAM 203 stores instructions, data and stacks in process.
The ROM 202 stores application programs, drivers, and the like. The
CPU 201a loads instructions and data stored in the ROM 202 onto the
RAM 203, and executes required processes. The CPU 201a executes,
for example, an application program for transferring data such as a
data file using the close proximity wireless transfer.
[0018] The CPU 201a executes a process on the basis of information
which pertains to a close proximity state with another
communication apparatus which is sent from the closeness detection
module 205, and the operation state of the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 which is sent from the device enable/disable
module 206.
[0019] The close proximity wireless transfer device 204 executes
the close proximity wireless transfer. The close proximity wireless
transfer is a wireless communication technique capable of data
communication only within a relatively short range such as several
centimeters like Near Field Communication (NFC). The close
proximity wireless transfer between the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 and another close proximity wireless transfer
device is executed as a peer-to-peer communication. The range of
communication is, for example, 3 cm. Wireless connection between
the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 and another close
proximity wireless transfer device can be established only when
they are brought close to each other so that their distance falls
within a predetermined distance (e.g., 3 cm). The close proximity
wireless transfer uses an induced electric field. As the close
proximity wireless transfer method, for example, TransferJET can be
used. The TransferJET is the close proximity wireless transfer
method using UWB, and can realize high-speed data transfer.
[0020] The close proximity wireless transfer device 204 includes an
antenna module 207. The antenna module 207 sends/receives data
to/from another communication apparatus by means of signals using
an induced electric field.
[0021] The closeness detection module 205 detects the close
proximity state between the close proximity wireless transfer
device 204 and another close proximity wireless transfer device.
That is, the closeness detection module 205 detects, as the close
proximity state, that another close proximity wireless transfer
device is brought within the predetermined distance from the close
proximity wireless transfer device 204. The closeness detection
module 205 notifies the system control module 201 and device
enable/disable module 206 of the detection of another close
proximity wireless transfer device.
[0022] The power consumption of the closeness detection module 205
in a standby or operation state is smaller than that of the close
proximity wireless transfer device 204 in an idle state. A
detectable distance within which the closeness detection module 205
can detect the close proximity state with another close proximity
wireless transfer device does not limit a range of communication
within which the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 can
communicate with another close proximity wireless transfer device.
That is, the detectable distance is greater than or equal to the
range of communication and the difference between the distances is
less than or equal to a predetermined value. If, for example, the
range of communication is 3 cm, assume that the detectable distance
is 5 cm. By setting the range of communication and the detectable
distance to have such relationship, the detectable distance of the
closeness detection module 205 does not limit the range of
communication of the close proximity wireless transfer device 204.
As the closeness detection module 205, for example, a device which
uses an induced magnetic field is available. The device which uses
an induced magnetic field includes FeliCa.RTM., an IC chip, and a
non-contact charging device.
[0023] The device enable/disable module 206 controls the close
proximity wireless transfer device 204 on the basis of the
notification from the closeness detection module 205. Upon
reception of a notification representing the close proximity state
from the closeness detection module 205, the device enable/disable
module 206 returns the close proximity wireless transfer device 204
from a sleep state, or sets it in a circuit-power-on state. On the
other hand, upon reception of a notification representing close
proximity state cancellation, the device enable/disable module 206
sets the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 in the sleep
state or a circuit-power-off state. Note that the sleep state is an
operation in a so-called power saving mode in which the close
proximity wireless transfer device 204 stands by with a power
consumption lower than in a normal operation state. Return from the
sleep state indicates that the close proximity wireless transfer
device 204 which has operated in the power saving mode resumes the
normal operation state.
[0024] It is desirable to perform the operation of setting the
close proximity wireless transfer device 204 in the sleep or
circuit-power-off state a predetermined time after the closeness
detection module 205 detects the close proximity state
cancellation. This makes it possible to avoid a case in which if
the user temporarily moves the communication apparatus 200 away
from another communication apparatus accidentally during data
transfer, the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 is set
in the sleep or circuit-power-off state, and therefore the transfer
fails.
[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a use example when there exist two
communication apparatuses 200 according to the embodiment.
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the communication apparatuses 200 are
shown as cellular phones. However, this embodiment is available in
not only a cellular phone but also a personal computer or a
consumer device such as a TV or audio player.
[0026] Cellular phones a1 and b1 respectively perform active
operations on cellular phones a2 and b2 which are in the standby
state. The operations include transfer of image or music data.
Referring to FIG. 2A, connection by the close proximity wireless
transfer is established by bringing cellular phone a1 close to
cellular phone a2, and data transfer is executed between cellular
phones a1 and a2. Referring to FIG. 2B, connection by the close
proximity wireless transfer is disconnected by moving cellular
phone b1 away from cellular phone b2 after the data transfer ends.
Assume that in the following explanation, expressions "connection
(communication) between the cellular phones (communication
apparatuses)" and "connection (communication) between the close
proximity wireless transfer devices 204" are synonymous, and both
mean connection (communication) between the close proximity
wireless transfer devices 204 provided for the cellular phones.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, close proximity wireless
transfer devices 204 provided for cellular phones a2 and b2 on a
standby side need to be always in the standby state for receiving
signals sent from cellular phones a1 and b1, respectively.
Consequently, the close proximity wireless transfer devices 204
consume power even in the standby state in which communication such
as data transfer is not actually made. This is a problem for a
communication apparatus including a cellular phone which is assumed
to be continuously used for a long time.
[0028] The communication apparatus 200 of the embodiment includes,
therefore, the closeness detection module 205 which consumes lower
power than the close proximity wireless transfer device 204, as
described above. The close proximity wireless transfer device 204
is usually in the sleep (power saving) or circuit-power-off state.
When the closeness detection module 205 detects another close
proximity wireless transfer device, the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 returns from the sleep state, or is set in the
circuit-power-on state. That is, the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 starts operation by using, as a trigger, the
detection of another close proximity wireless transfer device by
the closeness detection module 205 which is always in the operation
state.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2A, the close proximity wireless transfer
device 204 of cellular phone a1 returns from the sleep state, or
enters the circuit-power-on state by using, as a trigger, the
execution of an application program for executing the close
proximity wireless transfer between the close proximity wireless
transfer devices. When the user brings cellular phone a1 close to
cellular phone a2, the closeness detection module 205 of cellular
phone a2 detects that cellular phone a1 is in the close proximity
state. The closeness detection module 205 of cellular phone a2
notifies the device enable/disable module 206 of the close
proximity state of cellular phone a1. On the basis of the
notification, the device enable/disable module 206 of cellular
phone a2 returns the close proximity wireless transfer device 204
from the sleep state, or sets it in the circuit-power-on state.
With this operation, it is possible to establish connection between
the close proximity wireless transfer devices 204 provided for
cellular phones a1 and a2, and execute communication such as data
transfer.
[0030] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the user moves
cellular phone b1 away from cellular phone b2 after data transfer
is completed, the closeness detection module 205 of cellular phone
b1 detects the cancellation of the close proximity state of
cellular phone b2. The closeness detection module 205 of cellular
phone b2 also detects the cancellation of the close proximity state
of cellular phone b1. Device enable/disable modules 206 provided
for cellular phones b1 and b2 set the close proximity wireless
transfer devices 204 in the sleep or circuit-power-off state,
respectively. With this operation, each of the close proximity
wireless transfer devices 204 is in the sleep or circuit-power-off
state until another close proximity wireless transfer device enters
the close proximity state next, thereby reducing the power
consumption.
[0031] Operations when communication is made between the two
communication apparatuses 200 according to this embodiment will now
be explained with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 shows an operation when the two communication apparatuses
200 are brought close to each other, and enters the close proximity
state. In the following explanation, assume that the two
communication apparatuses 200 are shown as a communication
apparatus 200a and a communication apparatus 200b.
[0032] Communication apparatuses 200a and 200b are not in the close
proximity state, and close proximity wireless transfer devices 204
provided for communication apparatuses 200a and 200b are in the
sleep or circuit-power-off state (block S301). Next, in
communication apparatus 200a, in response to the user operation of
selecting a menu or file using a button or the like provided for
communication apparatus 200a, a CPU 201a of communication apparatus
200a activates an application program for transferring the file or
the like by the close proximity wireless transfer to communication
apparatus 200b (block S302). The activated application program
executes the close proximity wireless transfer through the close
proximity wireless transfer device 204. The CPU 201a of
communication apparatus 200a uses the activation of the application
program as a trigger to return the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 from the sleep state or set the close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 in the power-on state by using an
application program or driver (block S303). Communication apparatus
200a is set to a connection requesting side (Initiator) which
requests connection to communication apparatus 200b, or a
connection standby side (Responder) which waits for a connection
request from communication apparatus 200b (block S304). In
accordance with the application program form and the like, it is
possible to selectively set communication apparatus 200a in the
connection requesting or connection standby side. The close
proximity wireless transfer device 204 on the connection requesting
side executes a process of sending a connection request signal to
the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 on the connection
standby side. The close proximity wireless transfer device 204 on
the connection standby side performs a process of detecting the
connection request signal at, e.g., regular intervals.
[0033] Communication apparatuses 200a and 200b are brought close to
each other, and enter the close proximity state (block S305). A
closeness detection module 205 of communication apparatus 200a
detects the close proximity state with communication apparatus
200b, and notifies a device enable/disable module 206 of
communication apparatus 200a of it. On the other hand, a closeness
detection module 205 of communication apparatus 200b also detects
the close proximity state with communication apparatus 200a, and
notifies a device enable/disable module 206 of communication
apparatus 200b of it (block S306).
[0034] The device enable/disable module 206 of communication
apparatus 200b returns the close proximity wireless transfer device
204 from the sleep state, or sets the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 in the power-on state (block S307). The close
proximity wireless transfer device 204 of communication apparatus
200b is set to the connection standby side when the close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 of communication apparatus 200a is on
the connection requesting side, and is set to the connection
requesting side when the close proximity wireless transfer device
204 of communication apparatus 200a is on the connection standby
side (block S308).
[0035] In this manner, connection between the close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 of communication apparatus 200a and
that of communication apparatus 200b is established (block S309).
For example, the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 of
communication apparatus 200a on the connection requesting side
sends a connection request signal. The close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 of communication apparatus 200b on the
connection standby side detects the connection request signal and
responds to it, thereby establishing the connection.
[0036] Communication apparatus 200a transfers data to communication
apparatus 200b by the close proximity wireless transfer through the
application program (block S310).
[0037] With the above processing, when communication apparatuses
200a and 200b are brought close to each other, the close proximity
wireless transfer devices 204 operate by using as a trigger the
detection of the close proximity state by the closeness detection
modules 205 provided for the communication apparatuses 200,
respectively. Since the close proximity wireless transfer devices
204 are in the sleep or power-off state until the closeness
detection modules 205 detect the close proximity state, it is
possible to save the power consumption of the close proximity
wireless transfer devices 204.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows an operation when the close proximity state is
cancelled by moving the two communication apparatuses 200a and 200b
which have been communicating away from each other.
[0039] Communication apparatuses 200a and 200b are connected with
each other by the close proximity wireless transfer and data is
transferred between them (block S401). After the data transfer is
completed, communication apparatuses 200a and 200b are moved away
from each other, and the close proximity state is cancelled (block
S402). The connection between the close proximity wireless transfer
device 204 of communication apparatus 200a and that of
communication apparatus 200b is disconnected (block S403).
[0040] Two scenarios are considered for a method of setting the
close proximity wireless transfer devices 204 of communication
apparatuses 200a and 200b in the sleep or circuit-power-off
state.
[0041] In the first scenario (block S501), the closeness detection
module 205 of the communication apparatus 200 detects the
cancellation of the close proximity state. The closeness detection
module 205 of communication apparatus 200a detects the cancellation
of the close proximity state with communication apparatus 200b, and
notifies the device enable/disable module 206 of it. The closeness
detection module 205 of communication apparatus 200b also detects
the cancellation of the close proximity state with communication
apparatus 200a, and notifies the device enable/disable module 206
of it (block S404). The device enable/disable module 206 of
communication apparatus 200a sets the close proximity wireless
transfer device 204 in the sleep or power-off state. The device
enable/disable module 206 of communication apparatus 200b also sets
the close proximity wireless transfer device 204 in the sleep or
power-off state (block S405).
[0042] In the second scenario (block S502), the close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 of the communication apparatus 200
detects the disconnection (connection disable). The close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 of communication apparatus 200a sets
itself in the sleep or power-off state. The close proximity
wireless transfer device 204 of communication apparatus 200b also
sets itself in the sleep or power-off state (block S406). Note that
it is possible to determine to use the process in the first or
second scenario in accordance with the form of use of the
communication apparatus 200, an application program executed in the
communication apparatus 200, or the like.
[0043] Either of the processes in the first and second scenarios
sets the close proximity wireless transfer devices 204 of
communication apparatuses 200a and 200b in the sleep or power-off
state (block S407).
[0044] There is a case, however, in which communication apparatuses
200a and 200b are inadvertently moved away from each other. It is
therefore desirable to set the close proximity wireless transfer
devices 204 in the sleep or power-off state a predetermined time
after the cancellation of the close proximity state or the
disconnection of the communication is detected.
[0045] The above processing sets the close proximity wireless
transfer devices 204 in the sleep or power-off state by using, as a
trigger, the detection of the cancellation of the close proximity
state by each of the closeness detection modules 205 of the
communication apparatuses 200 or the disconnection of the
connection established between the close proximity wireless
transfer devices 204 when communication apparatuses 200a and 200b
are moved away from each other. This makes it possible to save the
power consumption of the close proximity wireless transfer devices
204.
[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, a closeness
detection module of a communication apparatus can detect that a
close proximity wireless transfer device and another close
proximity wireless transfer device are in a close proximity state
in which their distance falls within a range of communication, and
that the close proximity state is cancelled. The power consumption
of the operation of the closeness detection module is lower than
that of the close proximity wireless transfer device in an idle
state, thereby saving the power consumption of the close proximity
wireless transfer.
[0047] The various modules of the systems described herein can be
implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software
modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers.
While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may
share some or all of the same underlying logic or code.
[0048] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been
described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example
only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions.
Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be
embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various
omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and
systems described herein may be made without departing from the
spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their
equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as
would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
* * * * *