U.S. patent application number 14/762706 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for communication apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium.
The applicant listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Masashi Hamada.
Application Number | 20160020831 14/762706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50346066 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160020831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamada; Masashi |
January 21, 2016 |
COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND
STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
A communication apparatus includes communication means for
performing radio communication with a partner apparatus, and supply
means for wirelessly supplying power to the partner apparatus. The
communication apparatus acquires information on a communication
circuit for radio communication in the partner apparatus, and
controls the supply means so as to determine an amount of power to
be supplied per unit time depending on the information.
Inventors: |
Hamada; Masashi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Ohta-ku, Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
50346066 |
Appl. No.: |
14/762706 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 27, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/055705 |
371 Date: |
July 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/108 ;
307/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/042 20130101;
H02J 50/10 20160201; H02J 50/80 20160201; H04W 4/80 20180201; H02J
50/12 20160201; H04B 5/0037 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 5/00 20060101
H04B005/00; H02J 7/02 20060101 H02J007/02; H02J 7/04 20060101
H02J007/04; H04W 4/00 20060101 H04W004/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2013 |
JP |
2013-055417 |
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A power supplying apparatus comprising: supply unit configured
to wirelessly supply power to a partner apparatus; acquisition unit
configured to acquire, from the partner apparatus, information on a
function for protecting a communication circuit for wireless
communication in the partner apparatus from power supply by the
supply unit; and control unit configured to control the supply unit
so as to determine an amount of power to be supplied per unit time
depending on the information.
17. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 16, wherein,
in a case where the information indicates that the communication
circuit is in a state that may be affected by the operation of the
supply unit, the control unit controls the supply unit so as to
reduce the amount of power per unit time as compared with a case
where the communication circuit is in a state that is not affected
by an operation of the supply unit.
18. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the control unit controls the supply unit by determining that the
communication circuit is in the state that may be affected by the
operation of the supply unit in a case where the information
indicates that the partner apparatus does not include a power
receiving circuit receiving the power from the supply unit.
19. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the information includes information on an upper limit amount of
power that the communication circuit can receive, and wherein the
control unit controls the supply unit so that the amount of power
per unit time in a case where the communication circuit is in the
state that may be affected by the operation of the supply unit is
not more than the upper limit.
20. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the information includes information on an amount of power
requested by a power receiving circuit by which the partner
apparatus receives the power from the supply unit, and wherein the
control unit controls the supply unit so that the amount of power
per unit time in a case where the communication circuit is in a
state that is not affected by the operation of the supply unit
becomes the requested power amount.
21. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
the acquisition unit acquires the information that was transmitted
using the communication circuit.
22. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 16, further
comprising determination unit configured to determine for
determining a state of the partner apparatus receiving the power
supplied by the supply unit, wherein the control unit controls the
supply unit so as to stop supplying the power in a case where the
determination unit determinates that the partner apparatus is in a
state of not receiving the power.
23. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 22, wherein
the determination unit determines the state from a characteristic
of electromagnetic induction of the supply unit.
24. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 23, wherein
the supply unit includes a coil, and supplies the power using the
coil and a coil of the partner apparatus, and wherein the
determination unit determines the state from an amount of change
per unit time of an inductance between the coil of the supply unit
and the coil of the partner apparatus.
25. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
the determination unit determines that the partner apparatus is in
a state of not receiving the power in a case where an absolute
value of the amount of change per unit time exceeds a predetermined
value.
26. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 16, further
comprising communication unit configured to communicate with the
partner apparatus by periodically alternately switching a
communication period during which communication is performed and a
non-communication period during which communication is not
performed, wherein the control unit controls the supply unit so as
to supply the power during the non-communication period in
synchronization with the periods.
27. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 26, wherein
the acquisition unit further acquires a charging state of a
secondary battery of the partner apparatus by communication during
the communication period, and wherein the control unit controls the
supply unit so as to stop supplying the power in a case where the
secondary battery is in a full charge state.
28. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 27, wherein
the control unit controls the supply unit so as to stop supplying
the power in a case where communication is disconnected during the
communication period in the communication unit.
29. A method of controlling a power supplying apparatus including
supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power to a partner
apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring, from the partner
apparatus, information on a function for protecting a communication
circuit for wireless communication in the partner apparatus from
power supply by the supply unit; and controlling the supply unit so
as to determine an amount of power to be supplied per unit time
depending on the information.
30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer program executed by a computer provided in a power
supplying apparatus including supply unit configured to wirelessly
supply power to a partner apparatus, the computer program letting
the computer execute: acquiring, from the partner apparatus,
information on a function for protecting a communication circuit
for wireless communication in the partner apparatus from power
supply by the supply unit; and controlling the supply unit so as to
determine an amount of power to be supplied per unit time depending
on the information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a power supply control
technique for power transmission in a communication apparatus that
performs radio communication and power transmission.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] NFC (Near Field Communication) techniques are conventionally
known as near field radio communication techniques between
communication apparatuses using electromagnetic coupling (See
ISO/IEC 18092, "Near Field Communication-Interface and Protocol"
NFCIP-1, and ISO/IEC 21481, "Near Field Communication-Interface and
Protocol-2", NFCIP-2). Furthermore, contactless power transmission
techniques are known that supply power to a wireless communication
partner apparatus, using induced electromotive force in order to
charge a secondary battery disposed in the partner apparatus or
receive power from the partner apparatus.
[0005] Here, communication apparatuses have been conventionally
considered that include a communication circuit such as an NFC
circuit, and a contactless power transmission circuit, and that
wirelessly perform the transmission of information and the
transmission of power together without contact (see Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. 2009-253649 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2009-247125). There is the problem that if such communication
apparatuses are configured so that a communication circuit and a
power transmission circuit operate independently, electromagnetic
induction in the contactless power transmission circuit becomes a
noise source for the radio communication in the communication
circuit, and thus leads to the degradation of communication
quality. Furthermore, there may be the risk that electronic
elements constituting an NFC communication function unit are
damaged due to an increase in electromagnetic inductive power when
the power transmission circuit transmits a large amount of power
due to fast charging or the like to a secondary battery in such a
communication apparatus.
[0006] In contrast to this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2009-253649 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-247125 describe
a control method for configuring a communication circuit and a
power transmission circuit so as to be operable in cooperation with
each other, setting a period of operation of the communication
circuit and a period of operation of the power transmission circuit
during a prescribed period, and operating the respective circuits
in a time-division manner. For example, there is a description of
the execution of time-division exclusive control in which the power
transmission circuit is not operated during periods in which the
communication circuit is operated, by performing the control of
sharing information on the periods of operation of the
communication circuit via a radio communication link between
communication apparatuses.
[0007] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-113519
discloses a control method for transmitting "a charging start
command" to an opponent communication apparatus at the start of
contactless power transmission, and increasing electric field
strength to supply at the time of receiving "a charging start
response" from the opponent communication apparatus side. For
example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 2008-113519, only when "a charging start response" can be
properly received, control is performed so as to perform power
transmission with the amount of power notified by the "response"
and not to perform charging when the response cannot be
received.
[0008] However, even for a communication apparatus implementing
cooperative operation of near field radio communication and
contactless power transmission (blocking the connection with an
antenna (induction coil), or the like), a case can be conceived in
which radio communication and power transmission are executed
between the apparatus and a communication apparatus that does not
implement this. In such a situation, there is the problem that if
contactless power transmission is performed, there may be cases
where an overcurrent is generated in an electric circuit for near
field communication in a partner apparatus depending on power
transmitted by a power transmitting side communication apparatus,
and in some cases, component parts of the electric circuit for near
field communication may be damaged.
[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-described problem. There is provided a communication
apparatus that performs radio communication and power transmission.
The communication apparatus supplies power suitable for the partner
apparatus.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a communication apparatus including communication means
for performing radio communication with a partner apparatus, and
supply means for wirelessly supplying power to the partner
apparatus, the communication apparatus comprising: acquisition
means for acquiring information on a state of a communication
circuit for radio communication in the partner apparatus; and
control means for controlling the supply means so as to determine
an amount of power to be supplied per unit time depending on the
information.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of controlling a communication apparatus
including communication means for performing radio communication
with a partner apparatus, and supply means for wirelessly supplying
power to the partner apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring
information on a state of a communication circuit for radio
communication in the partner apparatus; and controlling the supply
means so as to determine an amount of power to be supplied per unit
time depending on the information.
[0012] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration example of a
communication system.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
example of a communication apparatus and a partner apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of time-division processing
of radio communication and power transmission.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing processing between a
communication apparatus and a partner apparatus in a case where the
impact of power transmission can be blocked in the partner
apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
example of a communication apparatus and a partner apparatus.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing processing between a
communication apparatus and a partner apparatus in a case where the
impact of power transmission cannot be blocked in the partner
apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of power supply
processing in a communication apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of power supply
processing in a conventional communication apparatus.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of power supply
processing in a communication apparatus according to Embodiment
2.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing processing between a
communication apparatus and a partner apparatus according to
Embodiment 3 in a case where the impact of power transmission can
be blocked in the partner apparatus.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing processing between a
communication apparatus and a partner apparatus according to
Embodiment 3 in a case where the impact of power transmission
cannot be blocked in the partner apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of power
supply processing in a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 3.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of power
supply processing in a communication apparatus according to
Embodiment 3.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] An exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will now
be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be
noted that the relative arrangement of the components, the
numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these
embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless
it is specifically stated otherwise.
Embodiment 1
(System Configuration)
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a view showing a configuration example of a
communication system. The communication system in FIG. 1 includes a
port apparatus 1 serving as a communication apparatus, a mobile
apparatus 2 serving as a partner apparatus for performing radio
communication with the port apparatus 1, and a display 3 connected
to the port apparatus 1 with a wired communication link (cable 4).
The port apparatus includes an NFC (Near Field Communication)
communication circuit as a communication circuit for near field
radio communication using electromagnetic coupling. In addition,
the port apparatus 1 includes, as a contactless power transmission
circuit, a charging power supply circuit wirelessly supplying power
to the partner apparatus. The mobile apparatus 2 may be a digital
camera or the like, and includes an NFC communication circuit, like
the port apparatus 1. In addition, the mobile apparatus 2 includes,
as a contactless power transmission circuit, a power receiving
circuit wirelessly receiving power for charging. The display 3 is
connected to the port apparatus 1 via the cable 4 so as to be able
to communicate with the port apparatus 1.
[0029] By the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, images stored in
the mobile apparatus 2, for example, are transmitted to the port
apparatus 1 by merely bringing the mobile apparatus 2 close to the
port apparatus 1. As a result, a user can easily display, on the
display 3, the images stored in the mobile apparatus 2.
Furthermore, it is also possible to charge a secondary battery in
the mobile apparatus 2 with power wirelessly supplied from the port
apparatus 1.
[0030] (Functional Configuration of the Communication Apparatus and
the Partner Apparatus)
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
example of the port apparatus 1 (communication apparatus) and the
mobile apparatus 2 (partner apparatus). In FIG. 2, the port
apparatus 1 includes an electromagnetic induction coil 200 for both
radio communication and contactless power transmission, a circuit
selector 201, an NFC chip 202, and a power supply unit 207.
Similarly, the mobile apparatus 2 includes an electromagnetic
induction coil 210, a circuit selector 211, an NFC chip 212, and a
power receiving unit 217. The mobile apparatus 2 further includes a
charge controller 218 and a secondary battery 219. These functional
units are controlled by host CPUs 203 and 213. For example, the
host CPUs 203 and 213, respectively execute programs stored in ROMs
205 and 215, and let RAMs 206 and 216 temporarily store data and
the like generated during the execution of the programs. In
addition, the RAMs 206 and 216 also temporarily store, for example,
images captured by the mobile apparatus 2 and obtained via a camera
controller 214 that are to be transmitted by near field radio
communication, or data such as the images received from the mobile
apparatus 2 by near field radio communication. Data received by the
port apparatus 1 from the mobile apparatus 2 is transmitted to the
display 3 via an external interface 204 by wired communication
after being stored in the RAM 206, for example.
[0032] The host CPUs 203 and 213, respectively control the circuit
selectors 201 and 211, and connect the coils 200 and 210 to the NFC
chips 202 and 212 during a communication period during which the
NFC chips 202 and 212 perform radio communication. Furthermore, the
host CPUs 203 and 213 respectively connect the coils 200 and 210 to
the power supply unit 207 and the power receiving unit 217 during a
non-communication period during which the NFC chips 202 and 212 do
not communicate. The communication period and non-communication
period are periodically alternately switched, for example. Near
field radio communication of the NFC chips 202 and 212, and power
transmission of the power supply units 207 and the power receiving
unit 217 are alternately executed in a time-division manner in
synchronization with these periods.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows this state, and shows a state where radio
communication indicated in the upper part and power transmission
indicated in the lower part are alternately periodically executed.
The upper part in FIG. 3 indicates whether data is transmitted from
the mobile apparatus 2 to the port apparatus 1. Specifically,
reference numeral 301 represents an active state where data is
transmitted from the mobile apparatus 2 to the port apparatus 1.
Reference numeral 302 represents a sleep state where no data is
transmitted from the mobile apparatus 2 to the port apparatus 1. As
indicated in the upper part in FIG. 3, the port apparatus 1 and the
mobile apparatus 2 are controlled so as to repeat the active state
with a constant transmission period (NFC data transmission period)
30. In the NFC data transmission period 30, a communication period
31 (a period during which the state is active) may be changed
according to the amount of data (information amount) transmitted
between the mobile apparatus 2 and the port apparatus 1.
[0034] On the other hand, the chart in the lower part in FIG. 3
indicates the timing of charging the secondary battery 219 in the
mobile apparatus 2 by transmitting power by power transmission. In
the chart in the lower part in FIG. 3, reference numeral 303
indicates a state where the port apparatus 1 supplies power to the
mobile apparatus 2, and the secondary battery on the mobile
apparatus side is charged. Reference numeral 304 indicates a state
where the port apparatus 1 stops supplying power to the mobile
apparatus 2, and the secondary battery on the mobile apparatus side
is not charged. In the present embodiment, in this way, a period
(non-communication period 32) other than a communication period in
the NFC data transmission period 30 during which radio
communication is performed is assigned as a power transmission
period.
[0035] Referring back to FIG. 2, in the configuration in FIG. 2,
the mobile apparatus 2 uses one coil 210 for both radio
communication and power transmission. Because of this, the
electromotive force generated in the coil 210 by power transmission
is not transmitted to the NFC chip 212 due to the operation of the
circuit selector 211. That is, the mobile apparatus 2 in FIG. 2 is
in a state where the operation of a power supply circuit including
the coil 200 and the power supply unit 207 does not affect the NFC
communication circuit. Hereinafter, in this manner, a circuit in
which a communication circuit is not affected by the operation of a
power receiving circuit is referred to as a circuit "that can
block" power due to power transmission in the communication
circuit.
[0036] In contrast to this, for example, a circuit as in FIG. 5 is
referred to as a circuit "that cannot block" power due to power
transmission in a communication circuit. In FIG. 5, the mobile
apparatus 2 includes an induction coil 510 dedicated to a radio
communication circuit, and an induction coil 516 dedicated to a
contactless power transmission circuit. These respective coils are
connected to an NFC chip 511 and a power receiving unit 517 without
interposing a circuit selector. Because of this, when a circuit
selector 501 transmits power by connecting a power supply unit 507
to a coil 500 in the port apparatus 1, an electromotive force can
be generated not only in the coil 516 but also in the coil 510 in
the mobile apparatus 2. Then, this electromotive force is
transmitted to the NFC chip 511 as it is, and in some cases may
affect the NFC chip 511. That is, the mobile apparatus 2 in FIG. 5
is in a state where the NFC communication circuit can be affected
by the operation of a power supply circuit including the coil 500
and the power supply unit 507.
[0037] In this way, if the port apparatus 1 supplies power having a
large amount of power per unit time, to the circuit as in FIG. 5
that cannot block power, there may be the risk that parts of the
NFC communication circuit are damaged. Therefore, in the present
embodiment, the port apparatus 1 determines whether the NFC
communication circuit in the partner apparatus for communication
can be affected due to power transmission, and controls the amount
of power supply per unit time according to a result of the
determination. Furthermore, in some cases, the port apparatus 1
stops supplying power. Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent
supplying excessive power to the NFC communication circuit in the
partner apparatus. Hereinafter, the operation of the port apparatus
1 (communication apparatus) will be described in detail.
[0038] (Operation of the Communication Apparatus)
[0039] FIGS. 4 and 6 show, chronologically, the contents of
processing executed during the communication period 31 and the
charging period (non-communication period 32). FIG. 7 is a flow
chart showing the control operation of power supply of the port
apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow
chart showing the control operation of power supply of a
conventional communication apparatus (corresponding to the port
apparatus 1).
[0040] First, conventional power supply operation will be described
with reference to FIG. 8. Initially, the communication apparatus is
in a standby state for performing radio communication or power
transmission between the communication apparatus and a partner
apparatus (corresponding to the mobile apparatus 2). The port
apparatus determines whether the mobile apparatus is present in a
predetermined range in the standby state, i.e., whether the mobile
apparatus is in proximity (S801 and S802). Then, if in proximity
(YES in S802), the port apparatus determines whether it is
presently (at the current time) in the charging period, i.e.,
whether it is presently in the non-communication period 32 (S803).
Since the initial state is a state where information on the
communication period 31 and the non-communication period 32 is not
exchanged between the port apparatus and the mobile apparatus, it
may be determined that the initial state corresponds to the
non-communication period 32 without regard to the current time.
[0041] If the system is presently not in the non-communication
period 32, power supply (charging) is not performed (S804). Then,
the port apparatus determines whether the port apparatus has
started radio communication (S805). Here, the case where the port
apparatus has started radio communication refers to the case where
the port apparatus communicates with the mobile apparatus by
reading data from the mobile apparatus. Similarly, the case where
the port apparatus has not started radio communication, i.e., the
case where the mobile apparatus has started radio communication
refers to the case where the mobile apparatus communicates with the
port apparatus by transmitting data to the port apparatus.
[0042] Then, if the port apparatus has started radio communication
(YES in S805), the port apparatus calculates the next charging
period (non-communication period), and transmits the calculated
result to the mobile apparatus. As a result, information on the
next charging period is shared between the port apparatus and the
mobile apparatus (S806). If radio communication is started by the
port apparatus, since the port apparatus can recognize the amount
of data to be read, the port apparatus can calculate the time
necessary to read it. As described above, since the NFC data
transmission period 30 is constant, the port apparatus can
calculate the next non-communication period 32 based on the
difference between the communication period 31 and the NFC data
transmission period 30.
[0043] On the other hand, if radio communication has been started
by the mobile apparatus (NO in S805), the port apparatus receives
information on the charging period (non-communication period)
transmitted from the mobile apparatus. As a result, information on
the next charging period is shared between the port apparatus and
the mobile apparatus (S807). If radio communication has not been
started by the port apparatus, since the mobile apparatus can
recognize the amount of data to be transmitted, it is possible to
calculate the time (the communication period 31) necessary to
transmit it. Moreover, since the NFC data transmission period 30 is
constant, the mobile apparatus can calculate the next
non-communication period 32 based on the difference between the
communication period 31 and the NFC data transmission period 30.
Moreover, the port apparatus receives information on the sleep
period transmitted from the mobile apparatus, and thereby can
recognize this period.
[0044] On the other hand, if the system is presently in the
charging period in S803, i.e., if the system is presently in the
non-communication period 32, the port apparatus confirms the
necessity of charging (S808). If charging is necessary, the port
apparatus supplies power to the mobile apparatus (S809). Then, the
above-described processing continues until these apparatuses are
not in proximity (NO in S802).
[0045] Hereinabove, as described, in conventional methods, the
impact of power transmission on the NFC communication circuit in
the mobile apparatus 2 is not taken into account. Therefore, in
some cases, it is conceivable that high power is transmitted to the
NFC communication circuit. In contrast to this, power supply
control of the port apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
suppresses the impact on the NFC communication circuit by adding
the processing indicated in S705 to S708 in FIG. 7. The processing
in FIG. 7 will be described below. Since S701 to S704 and S709 to
S713 in FIG. 7 correspond to S801 to S804 and S805 to S809 in FIG.
8, respectively, its description is omitted.
[0046] In the processing in FIG. 7, in the communication period 31
(NO in S703), configuration information on the power receiving
circuit (charging circuit) and the communication circuit
(configuration information in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, or the like) in the
mobile apparatus 2 is confirmed (S705). The confirmation of this
configuration information may be executed by the port apparatus 1
receiving the information directly from the mobile apparatus 2
during the communication period 31, or by the port apparatus 1
deriving the information based on information received from the
mobile apparatus 2. For example, the port apparatus 1 holds a table
of configuration information per device identification information
in advance. Then, the port apparatus 1 receives device
identification information from the mobile apparatus 2 and refers
to the table using the device identification information, and
thereby, configuration information may be confirmed. Then, it is
determined whether or not the NFC chip 212 or 511, and the coil 210
or 510 can be blocked during the charging period (non-communication
period 32), i.e., whether the communication circuit is affected due
to power transmission (S706).
[0047] Then, as in FIG. 2, if blocking is possible (YES in S706),
fast charging control is selected as charging control over the
secondary battery 219 on the mobile apparatus 2 side (S707), and
power having a large amount of power supply per unit time is
transmitted for fast charging. On the other hand, as in FIG. 5, if
blocking is impossible, long-time charging control is selected as
charging control over a secondary battery 519 on the mobile
apparatus 2 side (S708), and low power having the amount of power
supply per unit time smaller than that in the case where blocking
is possible is transmitted for long-time charging.
[0048] The operation of the port apparatus 1 and the mobile
apparatus 2 in this case will be described with reference to FIGS.
4, 6 and 7. First, if a proximity state of the port apparatus 1 and
the mobile apparatus 2 is detected (S401 and S601, and YES in
S702), data communication is started (S402, S403, S602, and S603,
and NO in S703). Then, information on the power receiving circuit
(charging circuit) is exchanged in the data communication (S404,
S604, and S705). Subsequently, the port apparatus 1 determines
whether the communication circuit can be affected due to power
transmission (S706), and selects a charging control method (S707
and S708). Subsequently, information on the charging period
(non-communication period 32) is exchanged (S405, S605, and S709 to
S711), data communication is ended due to the expiration of the
communication period 31 (S406 and S606).
[0049] Then, if the charging control method selected by the port
apparatus 1 is for fast charging, power is supplied from the port
apparatus 1 to the mobile apparatus 2 by a charging control method
providing a large amount of power supply per unit time as in FIG. 4
(S407). On the other hand, if the charging control method selected
by the port apparatus 1 is for long-time charging, power is
supplied from the port apparatus 1 to the mobile apparatus 2 by a
charging control method providing a small amount of power supply
per unit time as in FIG. 6 (S607). Subsequently, with the
expiration of the charging period (non-communication period 32),
the processing returns to the communication period 31, and data
communication is resumed (S401 to S406, and S601 to S606). If
communication is continuously performed, the port apparatus 1 and
the mobile apparatus 2 may not execute the sharing of charging
circuit information (S404) during the communication period 31 at
the second and subsequent times as shown in FIG. 4.
[0050] By this kind of processing, since it is possible to obtain
information on whether power transmission affects the NFC
communication circuit on the partner apparatus side before the
start of power transmission, it is possible to prevent, in advance,
excessive power transmission to the NFC communication circuit in
the partner apparatus.
[0051] If a power receiving function unit for contactless power
transmission is not mounted on the mobile apparatus 2 side,
long-time charging control may be selected as a charging control
method by determining that it is impossible to block the NFC chip
and the electromagnetic induction coil. By doing so, it is possible
to minimize the impact on the NFC communication circuit due to the
transmission of a large amount of power by assuming there is a
power receiving function unit.
Embodiment 2
[0052] In Embodiment 1, an example has been described in which if
it is possible to block the communication circuit and the coil,
fast charging control is selected as charging control over the
secondary battery 219 in the mobile apparatus 2 (S707), and if it
is impossible, long-time charging control is selected as charging
control (S708).
[0053] In the present embodiment, at the time of confirmation
processing of the configuration information (in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and
so on) on the charging circuit (power receiving circuit) and the
communication circuit on the mobile apparatus 2 side, power amount
information is also obtained that includes the upper limit amount
of power receivable by the communication circuit, and the amount of
power requested by the charging circuit. Then, the power supply
unit is controlled based on received information so that, for
example, the amount of power supply corresponds to the requested
power amount if it is possible to block the coil and the NFC chip,
and in addition, the amount of power supply corresponds to not more
than the upper limit amount notified if blocking is impossible.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of power supply
processing in a communication apparatus (the port apparatus 1)
according to the present embodiment. Since processing in S901 to
S904 and S910 to S914 in FIG. 9 is the same as processing in S801
to S804 and S805 to S809 in FIG. 8, respectively, its description
is omitted.
[0055] The port apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
obtains power amount information in addition to charging circuit
information, and executes confirmation processing of configuration
information on the charging circuit (power receiving circuit) and
the communication circuit (configuration information in FIG. 2,
FIG. 5, or the like) in the mobile apparatus 2 (S905). Then, the
port apparatus 1 determines whether or not the NFC chip and the
electromagnetic induction coil can be blocked during the charging
period (non-communication period 32) (S906).
[0056] Then, if blocking is possible, the port apparatus 1 controls
the power supply unit so that the amount of power supply to the
secondary battery 219 in the mobile apparatus 2 corresponds to the
amount of power requested by the charging circuit in the mobile
apparatus 2 (S908). On the other hand, if blocking is impossible,
the port apparatus 1 determines the magnitude relationship between
the amount of power requested by the charging circuit and the upper
limit amount of power of the communication circuit (S907). Then, if
the upper limit amount of power is smaller than the requested power
amount, the port apparatus 1 controls the power supply unit so that
the amount of power supply to the secondary battery 519 in the
mobile apparatus 2 corresponds to the upper limit amount of power
receivable by the communication circuit in the mobile apparatus 2
(S909). Furthermore, if the upper limit amount of power is larger
than the requested power amount, the port apparatus 1 controls the
power supply unit so that the amount of power supply to the
secondary battery 519 in the mobile apparatus 2 corresponds to the
amount of power requested by the charging circuit in the mobile
apparatus 2 (S908).
[0057] Thus, power is transmitted to the mobile apparatus 2 in a
power amount of not more than the upper limit amount of power
receivable by the communication circuit, and it is possible to
prevent, in advance, excessive power transmission to the NFC
communication circuit in the partner apparatus. Furthermore, if it
is possible to block the coil and the communication circuit, since
it is possible to supply power in the amount of power requested by
the power receiving circuit, it is possible to supply power
suitable for charging to the partner apparatus.
[0058] Furthermore, for example, in a charging control method for
changing (for example, decreasing) the amount of power supply to
the charging circuit according to the amount of power storage of
the secondary battery 219 or 519, it is possible to supply a
suitable amount of power of not more than a requested power amount
even at the time when the amount of power supply decreases to less
than allowable power of the NFC chip. Therefore, by the
above-described control, it is possible to obtain a new effect of
preventing overcharge to the secondary battery 519 in addition to
the effect of prevention against damage to the NFC chip 511 on the
mobile apparatus 2 side described in Embodiment 1.
[0059] If a power receiving function unit for contactless power
transmission is not mounted in the mobile apparatus 2, the power
supply unit may be controlled so that the amount of power supply
corresponds to the upper limit amount of power of the communication
circuit in the mobile apparatus 2 by determining that it is
impossible to block the NFC chip and the coil. In this case, since
there is no power receiving function unit, the port apparatus 1 may
not be notified of a requested power amount, and in addition, the
processing in 5907 may also be omitted if the port apparatus 1 is
not notified of a requested power amount.
Embodiment 3
[0060] In Embodiments 1 and 2, examples have been described in
which the port apparatus 1 and the mobile apparatus 2 perform data
transmission and power transmission by near field radio
communication in a time-division manner. In the present embodiment,
a communication apparatus obtains a power receiving profile of a
partner apparatus using data transmission by near field radio
communication prior to power transmission, and transmits power in
the amount of power corresponding to the power receiving profile
after the completion of communication. Moreover, the communication
apparatus monitors the charging state of the partner apparatus,
determines whether the state is a state where power is not
received, and stops power supply according to the determination
result. This processing will be described with reference to FIG. 10
to FIG. 13 below.
[0061] FIGS. 10 and 11 are sequence charts showing processing
between the port apparatus 1 and the mobile apparatus 2. FIGS. 12
and 13 are flow charts showing the operation of power supply
processing of the port apparatus 1 according to the present
embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference from Embodiments 1 and 2
will be described in detail.
[0062] In the present embodiment, as described above, for example,
the transmission of power in the amount of power corresponding to a
power receiving profile obtained in S1004 is started (S1006, or
S1106) after the completion of data communication (S1001 to S1005)
between the port apparatus 1 and the mobile apparatus 2. The port
apparatus 1 monitors the characteristics (inductance and the like)
of the coil (200 or 500) in the port apparatus 1 after the start
(S1207 or S1308) of power transmission, and determines whether the
mobile apparatus 2 is in a state where the mobile apparatus 2 does
not receive power, i.e., whether the mobile apparatus 2 is in a
state where the mobile apparatus 2 cannot perform charging. For
example, the port apparatus 1 determines that the proximity state
between the apparatuses is collapsed and the apparatuses are in a
non-chargeable state, in the case of occurrence of a rapid change
such that the absolute value of the amount of change of the
inductance per unit time exceeds a predetermined value, or the like
(S1208, or S1309). When the mobile apparatus 2 is in the
non-chargeable state, the port apparatus 1 controls the power
supply unit so as to stop power supply (S1210 or S1311).
[0063] Furthermore, the port apparatus 1 may be notified of the
charging state of the mobile apparatus 2 with a power receiving
profile. Moreover, if the secondary battery in the mobile apparatus
2 is in a full charge state (YES in S1209 or S1310), the port
apparatus 1 may control the power supply unit so as to stop power
supply. The determination of whether the secondary battery is in
the full charge state may be performed by the port apparatus 1
monitoring the inductance of its own coil and determining whether
the value of the inductance has reached a certain value (target
value) of the inductance that is expected to be obtained in the
full charge state. Furthermore, the port apparatus 1 may be
notified of the target value with a power receiving profile.
[0064] This kind of control can prevent the port apparatus 1 from
continuing unnecessary power supply. Furthermore, it is possible to
prevent the mobile apparatus 2 from receiving power unnecessary in
the full charge state.
[0065] Even when communication and charging are alternately
performed in a time-division manner, processing according to the
present embodiment may be executed. That is, by determining whether
the secondary battery is in the non-chargeable state or in the full
charge state in the charging period, power supply may be stopped
according to the determination result. Furthermore, if
communication is disconnected in the communication period, since it
may be determined that the proximity state of the port apparatus 1
and the mobile apparatus 2 is released, the port apparatus 1 may
also stop power supply in this case.
[0066] In the above description, cases have been described in which
near field radio communication (Near Field Communication defined in
ISO/IEC18092) operated by induced electromotive force from a
partner apparatus is used as an NFC interface, and electromagnetic
induction that is the same as that of communication is also used
for power transmission. However, the interfaces are not limited to
this, and the above-described control may be performed using charge
coupling methods, magnetic resonance methods, or the like other
than electromagnetic induction methods that can execute power
transmission and data transmission in proximity without
contact.
Other Embodiments
[0067] Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by
a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes
computer executable instructions recorded on a storage medium
(e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform
the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s)
of the present invention, and by a method performed by the computer
of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and
executing the computer executable instructions from the storage
medium to perform the functions of one or more of the
above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more of a central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit
(MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a network of separate
computers or separate computer processors. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD).TM.), a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
[0068] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0069] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2013-055417, filed Mar. 18, 2013, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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