TAG WITH RADIO COMMUNICATION FUNCTION, DISPLAY APPARATUS AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

According to an embodiment, a tag with a radio communication function includes a tag substrate, and a radio communication apparatus provided on the front surface of the tag substrate. The radio communication apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data, a first and a second antennas, a wireless power receiver, and a first radio communicator. The wireless power receiver is configured to receive power by a first radio signal through the first antenna. The first radio communicator is configured to transmit the data by a second radio signal through the second antenna by using the power received by the wireless power receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, a tag with a radio communication function includes a tag substrate, and a radio communication apparatus provided on the front surface of the tag substrate. The radio communication apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data, a first and a second antennas, a wireless power receiver, and a first radio communicator. The wireless power receiver is configured to receive power by a first radio signal through the first antenna. The first radio communicator is configured to transmit the data by a second radio signal through the second antenna by using the power received by the wireless power receiver.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments do not limit the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1Ais an external view of a radio communication system according to a first embodiment andFIG. 1Bis an external view of another radio communication system according to the first embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the radio communication systems include a tag10with a radio communication function and a display apparatus20.

The tag10with a radio communication function is also referred to as a label with a radio communication function and a wireless memory tag.

The display apparatus20is not particularly limited if the display apparatus20is an electronic device that can display an image including a photograph and an HD video. For example, the display apparatus20may be a tablet terminal, a television set, a personal computer, or a smartphone.FIG. 1Ashows an example in which the display apparatus20is a tablet terminal andFIG. 1Bshows an example in which the display apparatus20is a television set.

The display apparatus20includes a display unit21and a frame22. The display unit21includes a liquid crystal panel or the like and displays an image. In the examples shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, an icon30is displayed on the display unit21. The frame22supports the display unit21.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow a state in which the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the frame22of the display apparatus20.

FIG. 2is a schematic block diagram of a radio communication system according to the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 2, the display apparatus20wirelessly transmits power to the tag10with a radio communication function by a first radio signal RF1. The tag10with a radio communication function transmits data to the display apparatus20by a second radio signal RF2by using received power. In other words, the display apparatus20wirelessly communicates with the tag10with a radio communication function.

In the present embodiment, which is described later in detail, a user attaches the tag10with a radio communication function to the frame22of the display apparatus20, so that the tag10with a radio communication function receives power from a wireless power supply coil provided in the frame22by surface contact, reads data stored in a memory by using the received power, and transmits the read data to an antenna provided in the frame22through another high-speed data communication antenna in surface contact with the frame22. The display apparatus20decodes received data, so that the display apparatus20displays contents such as a video recorded in tag10with a radio communication function.

The first radio signal RF1and the second radio signal RF2use different frequency bands. As the first radio signal RF1, a relatively low frequency band of 100 kHz to 20 MHz is used in order to wirelessly transmit power. For example, a frequency of 13.56 MHz, which is the same as that of NFC (Near Field Communication), may be used. In mobile phones and smartphones, authentication and charging using NFC become popular. Therefore, when the same frequency as that of NFC is used for the wireless power supply, the same coil can be used as a wireless power supply coil and an NFC coil.

However, various methods such as the Qi standard are studied for the wireless power supply, so that if a small coil that can be mounted in the tag10with a radio communication function can be realized, not only the frequency of 13.56 MHz, but also other frequency bands may be used.

On the other hand, as the second radio signal RF2, a frequency in the UWB (Ultra Wide Band), for example, a relatively very high frequency band of 4 GHz to 60 GHz, is used in order to realize high-speed data communication of 500 Mbps to several Gbps. It is possible to transmit a large amount of data at the same time by this high-speed data communication, so that it is possible to perform file transmission and streaming reproduction of HD video contents. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which close proximity radio communication is used as the radio communication performed by the second radio signal RF2and TransferJet is used as the communication standard of the close proximity radio communication. In this case, it is possible to realize a physical chip data rate of 560 Mbps and an effective throughput of 375 Mbps (Max).

FIG. 3Ais a top view of the tag10with a radio communication function according to the first embodiment andFIG. 3Bis a side view of the tag10with a radio communication function. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the tag10with a radio communication function includes a tag substrate11, a radio communication apparatus12, and an adhesive layer13.

The radio communication apparatus12includes a storage unit121, a first antenna (coil)122for wireless power supply, a second antenna (coupler)123for UWB high-speed data communication, a wireless power receiver124, a first radio communicator125, a charge monitor126, and a radio controller127. The radio communication apparatus12does not have a power supply.

The tag substrate11is formed of a flexible substrate or a printed circuit board and has a label shape. In the example shown inFIG. 3A, the tag substrate11has a rectangular shape as seen in planar view. The thickness of the tag substrate11is not particularly limited, however, the thinner, the better, from the viewpoint of weight saving.

The radio communication apparatus12is provided on the front surface11aof the tag substrate11.

The adhesive layer13is provided at an end portion of the rear surface11bof the tag substrate11, and the adhesive layer13can attach the tag substrate11, on which the radio communication apparatus12is provided, to the display apparatus (an object apparatus to be attached)20. The adhesive force of the adhesive layer13may be set so that the attached tag10with a radio communication function is not peeled off by its own weight and a user can attach and peel off the tag a plurality of times. The radio communication apparatus12does not include a heavy power supply, so that the setting flexibility of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer13is high.

The first and the second antennas122and123are provided to face the adhesive layer13with the tag substrate11in between. In other words, the first and the second antennas122and123are provided on a region11a1, on the rear surface of which the adhesive layer13is provided. In the present embodiment, the adhesive layer13is provided to cover the entire surfaces of the first and the second antennas122and123. However, as long as the tag10with a radio communication function is stably attached to the display apparatus20, the adhesive layer13may be provided to cover only a part of the surfaces of the first and the second antennas122and123.

The first antenna122is provided adjacent to the second antenna123.

The storage unit121, the wireless power receiver124, the first radio communicator125, the charge monitor126, and the radio controller127of the radio communication apparatus12are provided on a region11a2, on the rear surface of which the adhesive layer13is not provided. However, the arrangement of each unit is not limited to the examples shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is preferable that a cover which covers and protects the radio communication apparatus12is provided on the front surface11aof the tag substrate11.

Next, functions of each unit of the radio communication apparatus12will be described with reference toFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of the tag10with a radio communication function according to the first embodiment.FIG. 4is equivalent to the block diagram of the radio communication apparatus12.

The storage unit121stores data such as photographs and HD videos. In the present embodiment, the data includes icon data and video data associated with the icon data.

The storage unit121includes a non-volatile memory cell1211such as a NAND-type flash memory and an MRAM (Magnetic Random Access Memory) and a memory interface (MEM IF)1212. Data is read from the non-volatile memory cell1211and written to the non-volatile memory cell1211by the radio controller127through the memory interface1212.

The wireless power receiver124receives power by the first radio signal RF1through the first antenna122. The wireless power receiver124includes a rectifier circuit1241and a capacitor (charge holding unit)1242. The rectifier circuit1241is formed from, for example, a rectifier diode and the like. The rectifier circuit1241converts a current flowing from the first antenna122into a direct current. The capacitor1242accumulates charges by the current converted by the rectifier circuit1241. In other words, the capacitor1242holds the received power. The accumulated charges are used for process operations of each unit in the radio communication apparatus12.

The first radio communicator125transmits data read from the non-volatile memory cell1211by the second radio signal RF2through the second antenna123by using the power received by the wireless power receiver124.

The first radio communicator125includes a buffer1251, a MAC (Media Access Control) circuit1252, a baseband circuit1253, and a high frequency circuit1254. The buffer1251temporarily stores data read from the non-volatile memory cell1211.

The MAC circuit1252performs protocol control on the data stored in the buffer1251. The baseband circuit1253performs signal processing such as error correction, coding processing, and modulation processing on the protocol-controlled data. The high frequency circuit1254transmits the second radio signal RF2through the second antenna123on the basis of the signal-processed data. The first radio communicator125can also receive data by the second radio signal RF2through the second antenna123.

The charge monitor126monitors the charges held in the capacitor1242.

The radio controller127controls the first radio communicator125and the storage unit121to read data and transmit the read data when power necessary for reading data and transmitting the read data is held in the capacitor1242on the basis of a notice from the charge monitor126. More specifically, the radio controller127controls timing for the first radio communicator125to perform radio communication and timing for the wireless power receiver124to perform wireless power reception and accesses the storage unit121.

Next, the display apparatus20will be described.

FIG. 5Ais an enlarged view of the tag10with a radio communication function and a region around an attaching region22aaccording to the first embodiment, andFIG. 5Bis an enlarged view showing a state in which the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20.

As shown inFIG. 5A, the frame22includes the attaching region22awhere the tag10with a radio communication function is attached by the adhesive layer13. The size of the attaching region22ais substantially the same as the size of the adhesive layer13. The frame22includes a corner portion22x. The attaching region22ais provided at the corner portion22x. Thereby, a user can easily know the position of the attaching region22a, so that the user can easily attach the tag10with a radio communication function. However, the attaching region22amay be provided at a position other than the corner portion22xas long as the attaching region22ais on the frame22, so that the attaching region22amay also be provided on a side surface of the frame22.

The display apparatus20includes a third antenna23and a fourth antenna24. The third and the fourth antennas23and24are provided to the attaching region22aof the frame22. Specifically, the third and the fourth antennas23and24are buried inside the frame22at the attaching region22a. The third antenna23is provided adjacent to the fourth antenna24.

Since the user cannot see the third and the fourth antennas23and24, in the example shown inFIG. 5A, the attaching region22ais indicated by a line printed on the frame22so that the user can know the position to which the tag10with a radio communication function should be attached. Otherwise, for example, protrusions or the like may be provided as a mark indicating the attaching region22a. Or, a magnet may be provided at a corner portion of the attaching region22aand a magnet may also be provided at a corresponding corner portion of the tag10with a radio communication function. Thereby, when the tag10with a radio communication function is brought close to the attaching region22a, the magnet of the tag10with a radio communication function and the magnet of the attaching region22aattract each other, so that the tag10with a radio communication function can be attached to an appropriate position.

When the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the attaching region22aof the frame22, a state shown inFIG. 5Boccurs. In a state in which the tag10with a radio communication function is appropriately attached to the attaching region22a, the first antenna122faces the third antenna23and the second antenna123faces the fourth antenna24. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately perform transmission and reception of the first radio signal RF1between the first antenna122and the third antenna23and transmission and reception of the second radio signal RF2between the second antenna123and the fourth antenna24.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of the display apparatus20according to the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 6, the display apparatus20includes the display unit21, the third antenna23, the fourth antenna24, a wireless power transmitter25, a second radio communicator26, a controller27, and a selector28. Although the display apparatus20is a tablet terminal, a television set, or the like as described above, description and explanation of a block which realizes a function of the tablet terminal, the television set, or the like and which is not directly related to the present embodiment will be omitted.

The display apparatus20includes a battery or a power supply (not shown inFIG. 6) and operates by using power of the battery or the power supply.

The wireless power transmitter25transmits power by the first radio signal RF1through the third antenna23. The wireless power transmitter25includes an oscillation circuit251and an amplifier circuit252. The oscillation circuit251generates an oscillation signal for wirelessly transmitting power. The amplifier circuit252amplifies the oscillation signal. The amplified oscillation signal is applied to the third antenna23, so that the first radio signal RF1for transmitting power is transmitted.

The second radio communicator26receives data by the second radio signal RF2through the fourth antenna24. The second radio communicator26includes a high frequency circuit261, a baseband circuit262, and a MAC circuit263. The high frequency circuit261receives the second radio signal RF2through the fourth antenna24. The baseband circuit262performs signal processing such as error correction, coding processing, and demodulation processing. The MAC circuit263performs protocol control on the data. The second radio communicator26can also transmit data by the second radio signal RF2through the fourth antenna24.

The controller27causes the display unit21to display an image based on the data received by the second radio communicator26. In the present embodiment, the controller27causes the display unit21to display the icon30based on the received icon data (seeFIGS. 1A and 1BandFIG. 5B), and when the icon30displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user, the controller27causes the display unit21to display a video based on the received video data.

The selector28selects the icon30displayed on the display unit21according to an operation of the user. The operation of the user may be an operation to touch a portion where the icon30is displayed on the display unit21when the display unit21is formed as a touch panel or an operation of a remote control.

Next, a more detailed operation of the radio communication system will be described.

FIG. 7is a flowchart of the operation of the radio communication system according to the first embodiment.

First, the wireless power transmitter25of the display apparatus20transmits power (step S1).

Next, when the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20, the wireless power receiver124receives the power and charges are gradually accumulated in the capacitor1242(step S2). When the charge monitor126determines that power necessary to read data and transmit the read data is not supplied and necessary charges are not accumulated in the capacitor1242(step S3: NO), the process returns to step S1.

When the charge monitor126determines that the necessary power is supplied and necessary charges are accumulated in the capacitor1242(step S3: YES), the radio controller127accesses the non-volatile memory cell1211(step S4) and reads the icon data from the non-volatile memory cell1211(step S5).

Next, in the tag10with a radio communication function, the radio controller127causes the first radio communicator125to transmit the icon data (step S6).

Next, in the display apparatus20, the controller27causes the display unit21to display the icon30on the basis of the received icon data (step S7). Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1BandFIG. 5B, when the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the frame22of the display apparatus20, the icon30is displayed on the display unit21. Thereafter, the wireless power transmitter25may stop the power transmission.

Next, in the display apparatus20, when the icon30displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user (step S8: YES), the controller27causes the second radio communicator26to transmit a data transmission instruction (step S9). After the step S7, if the wireless power transmitter25temporarily stops the power transmission, the controller27causes the wireless power transmitter25to transmit power in parallel with the processes on and after the step S9.

When the icon30is not selected by the user (step S8: NO), the process in step S8is repeated.

After the step S9, in the tag10with a radio communication function, when the first radio communicator125receives the data transmission instruction, the radio controller127reads video data from the non-volatile memory cell1211and causes the first radio communicator125to transmit the video data by streaming (step S10).

Next, in the display apparatus20, the controller27causes the display unit21to display the video based on the received video data (step S11) and thereby reproduces the video in a streaming manner.

As described above, in the present embodiment, data is transmitted and received by a radio communication means (the first radio communicator125and the second radio communicator26) different from a power supply means (the wireless power receiver124and the wireless power transmitter25). Therefore, data can be transmitted and received at high speed between the tag10with a radio communication function and the display apparatus20. Therefore, it is possible to deal with an HD video and the like.

When the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the frame22of the display apparatus20, the first antenna122faces the third antenna23and the second antenna123faces the fourth antenna24. Therefore, it is possible to see a photograph and a video stored in the tag10with a radio communication function on the display unit (screen)21of the display apparatus20by only attaching the tag10with a radio communication function to the display apparatus20.

The first radio communicator125transmits data by using the power received by the wireless power receiver124, so that the tag10with a radio communication function need not have a battery. Thereby, it is not necessary to charge the tag10with a radio communication function. Further, it is possible to save the weight of the tag10with a radio communication function, so that the tag10with a radio communication function can be stably attached to the display apparatus20for a long time. As a result, the tag10with a radio communication function is suitable for the streaming reproduction.

When the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the frame22of the display apparatus20, the icon30is displayed, and thereafter a video is displayed when the icon30is selected, so that it is possible to start displaying the video at any timing designated by the user.

The video is reproduced in a streaming manner, so that the video data is not left stored in the display apparatus20. Therefore, it is preferable for reproducing a video with copyright.

In this way, the convenience of the user can be improved.

When the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20, the display apparatus20may automatically reproduce the video in a streaming manner without displaying the icon30. In this case, the processes of steps S5to S9in the flowchart inFIG. 7may be removed. In other words, when the second radio communicator26receives data, the controller27may cause the display unit21to display a video (image) based on the data received by the second radio communicator26. Thereby, if the video is desired to be displayed instantly, it is possible to save the trouble for the user to select the icon30.

The tag10with a radio communication function may be formed as a card with a radio communication function having a card shape such as an SD card without providing the adhesive layer13. Such a card with a radio communication function may be used in a state in which the card is placed on the attaching region22aof the display apparatus20, which is a tablet terminal or the like

Modified Example of First Embodiment

The display apparatus20may be configured to store all the transmitted data and display a video on the basis of the stored data without performing the streaming reproduction.

In the present modified example, the configurations of the tag10with a radio communication function and the display apparatus20are similar to those in the first embodiment, however, the function of the controller27of the display apparatus20is mainly different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

The second radio communicator26stores the received data. After the second radio communicator26receives all the data, the controller27causes the display unit21to display the icon30based on the data stored in the second radio communicator26, and when the icon30displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user, the controller27causes the display unit21to display a video based on the data stored in the second radio communicator26.

FIG. 8is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio communication system according to the modified example of the first embodiment.

The processes of step S1to step S4are the same as those in the first embodiment. After the step S4, the radio controller127reads data from the non-volatile memory cell1211(step S15).

Next, in the tag10with a radio communication function, the radio controller127causes the first radio communicator125to transmit the read data (step S16). Thereby, in the display apparatus20, the second radio communicator26stores the received data.

Next, in the tag10with a radio communication function, when the transmission of all the data in the non-volatile memory cell1211has not been completed (step S17: NO), the radio controller127returns to the process of step S1.

On the other hand, when the transmission of all the data in the non-volatile memory cell1211has been completed (step S17: YES), the radio controller127causes the first radio communicator125to stop the transmission of data (step S18). The radio controller127causes the wireless power receiver124to transmit a control signal to turn off the wireless power supply through the first antenna122. When the wireless power transmitter25of the display apparatus20receives the transmitted control signal through the third antenna23, the wireless power transmitter25stops the power transmission.

Next, in the display apparatus20, the controller27causes the display unit21to display the icon30on the basis of the icon data stored in the second radio communicator26(step S19).

Next, in the display apparatus20, when the icon30displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user (step S20: YES), the controller27causes the display unit21to display a video based on the video data stored in the second radio communicator26(step S21). When the icon30is not selected by the user (step S20: NO), the process in step S20is repeated.

In the present modified example, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Also in the present modified example, after the tag10with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20and the display apparatus20receives all the data, the display apparatus20may automatically reproduce the video based on the video data stored in the second radio communicator26without displaying the icon30. In this case, the processes of steps S19and S20in the flowchart inFIG. 8may be removed.

In the above embodiment, an example where the display apparatus20displays the video is described. However, the display apparatus20may display a still image (an image). For example, as shown inFIG. 9, a title and/or a thumbnail of the content is printed on the tag in advance. The display apparatus20may display the title and/or the thumbnail as the icon. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 10, an advertisement content (ad. content) is printed on the tag in advance. The display apparatus20may display the image corresponding to the advertisement content and URL related to the advertisement content as the icon.

Second Embodiment

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a point that the second antenna is provided in a space at the center of the first antenna.

FIG. 11Ais an enlarged view of a tag10A with a radio communication function and a region around an attaching region22aaccording to the second embodiment, andFIG. 11Bis an enlarged view showing a state in which the tag10A with a radio communication function is attached to a display apparatus20A.

As shown inFIG. 11A, in the tag10A with a radio communication function, a first antenna122A is a planar coil including a circular space122sat its center. A second antenna123A is smaller than the first antenna122A and has a substantially square shape. The second antenna123A is provided in the space122sat the center of the first antenna122A. The center of the first antenna122A substantially corresponds to the center of the second antenna123A.

Also in the display apparatus20A, the third antenna23A is a planar coil including a circular space23sat its center. A fourth antenna24A is smaller than the third antenna23A and has a substantially square shape. The fourth antenna24A is provided in the space23sat the center of the third antenna23A. The center of the third antenna23A substantially corresponds to the center of the fourth antenna24A.

The first antenna122A and the third antenna23A have substantially the same shape and size. The second antenna123A and the fourth antenna24A have substantially the same shape and size.

When the tag10A with a radio communication function is attached to the attaching region22aof the frame22so that the center of the first antenna122A corresponds to the center of the third antenna23A, a state shown inFIG. 11Boccurs. At this time, the first antenna122A faces the third antenna23A and the second antenna123A faces the fourth antenna24A.

The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the second antenna123A is provided in the space122sat the center of the first antenna122A and the fourth antenna24A is provided in the space23sat the center of the third antenna23A, so that if the tag10A with a radio communication function is attached so that the centers of the first and the third antennas122A and23A correspond to each other, positioning of the first and the third antennas122A and23A and positioning of the second and the fourth antennas123A and24A can be performed at the same time. Even when the tag10A with a radio communication function is attached by being rotated any angle, it is possible to cause the first antenna122A to face the third antenna23A and cause the second antenna123A to face the fourth antenna24A.

Therefore, it is possible to easily realize stable wireless power supply as well as stable high-speed data communication.

Third Embodiment

The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in a point that a partition wall is provided around the second antenna and around the fourth antenna.

When the wireless power transmitter25has a foreign object detection function, by arranging the first and the second antennas122A and123A and the third and the fourth antennas23A and24A as in the second embodiment, the wireless power transmitter25may detect the second antenna123A and/or the fourth antenna24A as a foreign object. The foreign object detection function is a function to stop transmission of power because when there is a metal or the like other than the first antenna122A near the third antenna23A, the metal or the like is heated by the first radio signal RF1. As a method of detecting a foreign object, there is a method of detecting a rise in temperature.

In the present embodiment, such foreign object detection is avoided.

FIG. 12Ais an enlarged view of a tag10B with a radio communication function and a region around an attaching region22aaccording to the third embodiment, andFIG. 12Bis an enlarged view showing a state in which the tag10B with a radio communication function is attached to a display apparatus20B.

The radio communication apparatus12B of the tag10B with a radio communication function includes a cylindrical partition wall128which surrounds the second antenna123A in the space122sat the center of the first antenna122A. The cylindrical partition wall128is formed of a magnetic material and reflects the first radio signal RF1. In other words, the second antenna123A is arranged inside the cylindrical partition wall128.

The display apparatus20B includes a cylindrical partition wall29which surrounds the fourth antenna24A in the space23sat the center of the third antenna23A. The cylindrical partition wall29is formed of a magnetic material and reflects the first radio signal RF1. In other words, the fourth antenna24A is arranged inside the cylindrical partition wall29. The magnetic material is, for example, ferrite. The partition wall128and the partition wall29have substantially the same shape and size.

In a state in which the tag10B with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20B, an opening of the partition wall128and an opening of the partition wall29face each other.

According to the present embodiment, the partition walls128and29formed of ferrite are provided, so that in a state in which the tag10B with a radio communication function is attached to the display apparatus20B, the first radio signal RF1is reflected by the partition walls128and29. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first radio signal RF1from reaching the second antenna123A and the fourth antenna24A inside the partition walls128and29respectively. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the second antenna123A and the fourth antenna24A from being heated by the first radio signal RF1. Further, when the wireless power transmitter25has a foreign object detection function, it is possible to avoid that the second antenna123A and/or the fourth antenna24A are assumed to be a foreign object.

Therefore, stable wireless power supply can be implemented.

Fourth Embodiment

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a point that a plurality of tags with a radio communication function can be attached to the frame of the display apparatus.

FIG. 13Ais an external view of a radio communication system according to a fourth embodiment andFIG. 13Bis an external view of another radio communication system according to the fourth embodiment.FIG. 13Ashows an example in which the display apparatus20C is a tablet terminal andFIG. 13Bshows an example in which the display apparatus20C is a television set.

Hereinafter, the radio communication system inFIG. 13Awill be described. As shown inFIG. 13A, two tags10-1and10-2with a radio communication function are attached to the frame22of the display apparatus20C. Each of the tags10-1and10-2with a radio communication function is the same as the tag10with a radio communication function of the first embodiment. In each of the tags10-1and10-2with a radio communication function, a video different from each other is recorded.

FIG. 14is a block diagram of the display apparatus20C according to the fourth embodiment. As shown inFIG. 14, the display apparatus20C includes two pairs of the third and the fourth antennas23-1,23-2,24-1, and24-2and two second radio communicators26-1and26-2. Each of the third antennas23-1and23-2has the same function as that of the third antenna23of the first embodiment, each of the fourth antennas24-1and24-2has the same function as that of the fourth antenna24, and each of the second radio communicators26-1and26-2has the same function as that of the second radio communicator26. The functions of a wireless power transmitter25C and a controller27C are different from those in the first embodiment. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15is an enlarged diagram of a region around attaching regions22a-1and22a-2of the display apparatus20C according to the fourth embodiment. As shown inFIG. 15, the frame22includes the two attaching regions22a-1and22a-2.

The pair of the third and the fourth antennas23-1and24-1is provided to the corresponding attaching region22a-1and the pair of the third and the fourth antennas23-2and24-2is provided to the corresponding attaching region22a-2. In other words, each pair of the third and the fourth antennas is provided to a corresponding attaching region.

The wireless power transmitter25C transmits power through each of the third antennas23-1and23-2. While the method of transmitting power is not particularly limited, the power may be intermittently transmitted until an icon is selected. For example, the power may be transmitted for several hundred milliseconds once per several seconds until an icon is selected.

The second radio communicator26-1receives data from the tag10-1with a radio communication function attached to the corresponding attaching region22a-1by the second radio signal RF2through the corresponding fourth antenna24-1.

The second radio communicator26-2receives data from the tag10-2with a radio communication function attached to the corresponding attaching region22a-2by the second radio signal RF2through the corresponding fourth antenna24-2.

In other words, each of the second radio communicators receives data from a tag with a radio communication function attached to a corresponding attaching region by the second radio signal RF2through a corresponding fourth antenna.

In the present embodiment, the close proximity radio communication is employed, so that the second radio communicator26-1does not receive data from the tag10-2with a radio communication function attached to the adjacent attaching region22a-2by the second radio signal RF2. The second radio communicator26-2does not receive data from the tag10-1with a radio communication function attached to the adjacent attaching region22a-1by the second radio signal RF2.

The controller27C displays an icon30-1based on the received icon data in a region near the attaching region22a-1, where the fourth antenna24-1that receives the icon data is provided, on the display unit21(seeFIG. 13A).

The controller27C displays an icon30-2based on the received icon data in a region near the attaching region22a-2, where the fourth antenna24-2that receives the icon data is provided, on the display unit21(seeFIG. 13A).

In other words, the controller27C displays an icon based on the received icon data in a region near an attaching region, where the fourth antenna that receives the icon data is provided, on the display unit21.

To realize these, for example, in advance, the coordinates where the icon30-1is displayed may be associated with the MAC circuit263of the second radio communicator26-1and the coordinates where the icon30-2is displayed may be associated with the MAC circuit263of the second radio communicator26-2.

Then, when an icon displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user, the controller27C causes the display unit21to display a video based on the received video data corresponding to the selected icon. At this time, the controller27C causes the wireless power transmitter25C to continuously transmit power through the third antenna corresponding to the selected icon and causes the wireless power transmitter25C not to transmit power through the third antenna corresponding to the icon that is not selected. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the power consumption.

For example, when the icon30-1is selected, the controller27C causes the wireless power transmitter25C to continuously transmit power through the third antenna23-1corresponding to the icon30-1. Further, the controller27C causes the second radio communicator26-1corresponding to the icon30-1to transmit a data transmission instruction. Next, in the tag10-1with a radio communication function corresponding to the icon30-1, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, when the first radio communicator125receives the data transmission instruction, the radio controller127reads video data from the non-volatile memory cell1211and causes the first radio communicator125to transmit the video data by streaming. Next, the display unit21displays the video based on the received video data. When the icon30-2is selected, a similar operation is performed.

The display apparatus20C may be configured so that three tags10-1,10-2, and10-3with a radio communication function are attached to the display apparatus20C as shown inFIG. 13Bor four or more tags10with a radio communication function are attached to the display apparatus20C. In this case, the numbers of the attaching regions22a, the pair of the third and the fourth antennas23and24, and the second radio communicators26, which will be provided, may be the same as the number of the tags10with a radio communication function.

According to the present embodiment, a plurality of tags10-1and10-2with a radio communication function can be attached to the display apparatus20C and when one of the icons30-1and30-2displayed on the display unit21is selected by the user, the display unit21displays a video corresponding to the selected icon. Therefore, the user can select and reproduce any video from a plurality of videos.

Further, an icon is displayed in a region near an attaching region to which a tag with a radio communication function is attached, so that the user can easily know which icon corresponds to which tag with a radio communication function. Therefore, after a certain video has been reproduced, it is possible to easily select the tag with a radio communication function corresponding to the video from the plurality of tags10-1and10-2with a radio communication function and peel off the selected tag with a radio communication function from the frame22.

The fourth embodiment may be combined with the second or the third embodiment.

At least a portion of the radio communication system described in the above embodiments may be constituted by hardware or software. In the software configuration, a program realizing at least a portion of the functions of the radio communication system is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM and may be read by a computer to be executed thereby. The storage medium is not limited to a detachable one such as a magnetic disk and an optical disk and may be a stationary recording medium such as a hard disk device and a memory.

Furthermore, the program realizing at least a portion of the radio communication system may be distributed through a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. While the program is encrypted, modulated, or compressed, the program may be distributed through a wired line or a wireless line such as the Internet, or the program stored in a recording medium may be distributed.