COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

• US 20160056863A1
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Nago, Hidetada
• Granted Patent: US 9,602,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A communication apparatus includes first communication means having a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus, and second communication means having an electric power supply function for wirelessly supplying electric power to the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus. The second communication function is for transmitting specific data sequence to the partner apparatus in response to reception of specific data from the partner apparatus, and the electric power supply function is for supplying electric power to the partner apparatus in a case of receiving from the partner apparatus, with the first communication means, a signal indicating that the partner apparatus has received the data sequence.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus; and

a second communication unit that has an electric power supply function for wirelessly supplying electric power to the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus,

wherein the second communication function transmits a specific data sequence to the partner apparatus in response to reception of predetermined data from the partner apparatus, and

the electric power supply function supplies electric power to the partner apparatus in a case of receiving from the partner apparatus, with the first communication unit, a signal indicating that the partner apparatus has received the data sequence.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the data sequence is a random pattern that is generated in response to receiving the predetermined data from the partner apparatus with the second communication function.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising an authentication unit configured to authenticate the partner apparatus using the first communication function,

wherein the electric power supply function supplies electric power to the partner apparatus if the authentication is successful and the first communication unit receives the signal from the partner apparatus.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the electric power supply function outputs a detection signal to detect an electric power supply target of the electric power supply function, and

the second communication function transmits the data sequence to the partner apparatus by fluctuating the intensity of the detection signal.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the electric power supply function outputs a detection signal to detect an electric power supply target of the electric power supply function, and

the second communication function receives, by detecting the intensity of the detection signal, the signal that is superimposed on the detection signal by the partner apparatus by means of load modulation.

9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the signal contains the data sequence.

10. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a communication range of the first communication function is larger than a communication range of the second communication function.

6. A communication apparatus comprising:

a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus; and

a second communication unit that has an electric power receiving function for wirelessly receiving electric power from the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus,

wherein the second communication function transmits predetermined data to the partner apparatus, and receives a specific data sequence that is transmitted from the partner apparatus in response to transmission of the predetermined data,

the first communication function transmits to the partner apparatus, in response to reception of the data sequence with the second communication function, a signal indicating reception of the data sequence, and

the electric power receiving function receives electric power that is supplied if the partner apparatus receives the signal.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein the second communication function receives a detection signal that is transmitted to detect an electric power supply target by the partner apparatus, transmits the predetermined data by superimposing this predetermined data on the detection signal by means of load modulation.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein the second communication function receives a detection signal that is transmitted to detect an electric power supply target by the partner apparatus, and receives the data sequence by detecting a change of the intensity of the detection signal.

11. A method for controlling a communication apparatus that includes a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus, and a second communication unit that has an electric power supply function for wirelessly supplying electric power to the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus, the method comprising:

transmitting a specific data sequence to the partner apparatus in response to reception of predetermined data from the partner apparatus, by the second communication function; and

supplying electric power to the partner apparatus in a case of receiving from the partner apparatus, with the first communication unit, a signal indicating that the partner apparatus has received the data sequence, by the electric power supply function.

12. A method for controlling a communication apparatus that includes a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus, and a second communication unit that has an electric power receiving function for wirelessly receiving electric power from the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus, the method comprising:

transmitting predetermined data to the partner apparatus, by the second communication function;

receiving specific data sequence that is transmitted from the partner apparatus in response to transmission of the predetermined data, by the second communication function;

transmitting to the partner apparatus, in response to reception of the data sequence with the second communication function, a signal indicating reception of the data sequence, by the first communication function; and

receiving electric power that is supplied if the partner apparatus receives the signal, by the electric power receiving function.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer provided in a communication apparatus that includes a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus, and a second communication unit that has an electric power supply function for wirelessly supplying electric power to the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus to control the communication apparatus such that:

the second communication function transmits a specific data sequence to the partner apparatus in response to reception of predetermined data from the partner apparatus; and

the electric power supply function supplies electric power to the partner apparatus in a case of receiving from the partner apparatus, with the first communication unit, a signal indicating that the partner apparatus has received the data sequence.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer provided in a communication apparatus that includes a first communication unit that has a first communication function for wirelessly communicating with a partner apparatus, and a second communication unit that has an electric power receiving function for wirelessly receiving electric power from the partner apparatus and a second communication function for wirelessly communicating with the partner apparatus to control the communication apparatus such that:

the second communication function transmits predetermined data to the partner apparatus;

the second communication function receives specific data sequence that is transmitted from the partner apparatus in response to transmission of the predetermined data;

the first communication function transmits to the partner apparatus, in response to reception of the data sequence with the second communication function, a signal indicating reception of the data sequence; and

the electric power receiving function receives electric power that is supplied if the partner apparatus receives the signal.