Electromagnetic wave communication system, apparatus, method and program

• US 9,906,271 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2016
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takayama, Yoshihisa, Kusakabe, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Titus
• Application Number:
  US15/058,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20160182125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 710 1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communication apparatus is provided and including a carrier wave generator configured to generate a first electromagnetic wave; a modulator configured to modulate the first electromagnetic wave for transmitting a first message to a first communication device; a load modulator configured to modulate a second electromagnetic wave generated by the first communication device for transmitting a second message to the first communication device; a controller configured to control the communication apparatus to: transmit the first message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected and, transmit the second message when the second electromagnetic wave is detected. A communication method is also provided.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a carrier wave generator configured to generate a first electromagnetic wave using an antenna;

a modulator configured to modulate the first electromagnetic wave for transmitting a first message to an external communication device;

a load modulator configured to modulate a second electromagnetic wave generated by the external communication device for transmitting a second message to the external communication device; and

a controller configured to cause the communication apparatus to;

transmit the first message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected and,

transmit the second message when the second electromagnetic wave is detected,

wherein the first message is a first inquiry for identification information of the external communication device,

wherein the communication apparatus is configured to receive a first response in response to the first inquiry, the first response including a first random number,

wherein the second message includes a second response associated with a second inquiry for identification information of the communication apparatus, and

wherein as a result of the communication apparatus transmitting the first message or the second message, mutual authentication is executed between the communication apparatus and the external communication device.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the carrier wave generator not to generate the first electromagnetic wave when the second electromagnetic wave is detected.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication apparatus is configured to receive the second inquiry from the external communication device.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second response includes a second random number.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is configured to perform a near field communication with the external communication device when the external communication device is near the communication apparatus.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transmission rate of the communication apparatus is lower than the external communication device.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is further configured to receive protocol information indicative of a communication protocol which is available by the external communication device.

15. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the communication apparatus to transmit a third message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected and receive a third response to the third message from the external communication device.

16. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the third response is transmitted from the external communication device.

17. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the communication apparatus to transmit a third message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected and the third message is a third inquiry for available protocol information indicative of a communication protocol which is available by the external communication device.

8. A communication method for a communication apparatus, the communication method comprising:

generating a first electromagnetic wave by a carrier wave generator using an antenna;

modulating the first electromagnetic wave for transmitting a first message to an external communication device by a modulator, wherein the first message is a first inquiry for identification information of the external communication device;

modulating, by a load modulator, a second electromagnetic wave generated by the external communication device for transmitting a second message to the external communication device;

transmitting the first message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected; and

transmitting the second message when the second electromagnetic wave is detected, wherein the second message includes a second response associated with a second inquiry for identification information of the communication apparatus;

receiving a first response in response to the first inquiry, the first response including a first random number; and

executing, as a result of transmitting the first message or the second message, mutual authentication between the communication apparatus and the external communication device.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling the carrier wave generator not to generate the first electromagnetic wave when the second electromagnetic wave is detected.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein the second inquiry is received from the external communication device.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the second response includes a second random number.

12. The communication method according to claim 8, further comprising performing a near field communication with the external communication device when the external communication device is near the communication apparatus.

13. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein a transmission rate of the communication apparatus is lower than the external communication device.

14. The communication method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving protocol information indicative of a communication protocol which is available by the external communication device.

18. The communication method according to claim 8, further comprising transmitting a third message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected and receiving a third response to the third message from the external communication device.

19. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein the third response is transmitted from the external communication device.

20. The communication method according to claim 8, further comprising transmitting a third message when the second electromagnetic wave is not detected, wherein the third message is a third inquiry for available protocol information indicative of a communication protocol which is available by the external communication device.