BOOSTER ANTENNA STRUCTURE, COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, AND CASE

[Object] To provide a technology in which it is possible to improve the communication performance of a communication apparatus. [Solving Means] A booster antenna structure according to the present technology includes: a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil of a coil substrate disposed inside a housing of a communication apparatus; and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate in the inside of the housing, and having a size larger than that of the coil substrate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a technology such as a booster antenna used for short-range wireless communication.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, various short-range wireless communication methods such as Near Field Communication (NFC) have been known as a contactless short-range communication method.

In short-range wireless communication, there is a case where an antenna called a booster antenna is used to extend a communication distance. The following Patent Literature 1 discloses a communication terminal apparatus that is provided with an antenna device having a booster antenna, a flexible coil substrate, and a magnetic material sheet. The booster antenna, the flexible coil substrate, and the magnetic material sheet have substantially the same size.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In a technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, since the booster antenna and the flexible coil substrate have substantially the same size, there is a case where the size of the booster antenna is reduced, or there is a case where it is difficult to secure communication performance.

In view of circumstances described above, an object of the present technology is to provide a technology in which it is possible to improve the communication performance of a communication apparatus.

Solution to Problem

A booster antenna structure according to the present technology includes: a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil of a coil substrate disposed inside a housing of a communication apparatus; and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate in the inside of the housing, and having a size larger than a size of the coil substrate.

In this technique, since it is possible to make the size of the booster antenna structure larger than the size of the coil substrate, it is possible to improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the booster antenna structure may be a laminated structure including the booster antenna and the first magnetic material sheet.

In the booster antenna structure, the first magnetic material sheet may be disposed between the booster antenna and the coil substrate.

In the booster antenna structure, a metal component may be disposed inside the housing, and the first magnetic material sheet may be disposed between the metal component and a portion where the booster antenna exceeds the coil substrate.

In this way, since it is possible to magnetically shield the booster antenna from the metal component, it is possible to appropriately improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the first magnetic material sheet may have a notch at a position corresponding to the antenna coil.

In this way, it is possible to further appropriately improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, a size of the notch may be equal to or larger than a size of the antenna coil.

In this way, it is possible to further appropriately improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the booster antenna and the first magnetic material sheet may be integrated to configure the booster antenna structure.

In the booster antenna structure, when the booster antenna structure is disposed inside the housing, the booster antenna structure may be individually disposed separately from the coil substrate.

In this way, it is possible to improve the incorporating property of the booster antenna structure into the housing.

In the booster antenna structure, the housing may have two or more inner surfaces, and the booster antenna structure may be provided across the two or more inner surfaces.

In this way, it is possible to perform communication from a plurality of directions to the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the housing may have an inner surface, and the booster antenna structure may have a first portion disposed to overlap the coil substrate; and a second portion formed to be bent from the first portion and disposed along the inner surface of the housing.

In this way, even in a case where the coil substrate is disposed at a position distant from the inner surface of the housing, it is possible to secure the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the booster antenna may have a first antenna part corresponding to the first portion; and a second antenna part corresponding to the second portion, and the first magnetic material sheet may have a magnetic material part disposed at a position on an inner side of the housing relative to the second antenna part.

In this way, it is possible to appropriately improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus by the magnetic material part.

In the booster antenna structure, the housing may have a metal part in a part of a place along the second portion, the booster antenna may have a first antenna part corresponding to the first portion; and a second antenna part corresponding to the second portion, and the first magnetic material sheet may have a magnetic material part disposed between the second antenna part and the metal part of the housing.

In this way, it is possible to magnetically shield the booster antenna from the metal part by the magnetic material part.

In the booster antenna structure, a metal component may be disposed inside the housing, and a second magnetic material sheet may be disposed between the coil substrate and the metal component.

In this way, it is possible to magnetically shield the coil substrate from the metal component.

In the booster antenna structure, another booster antenna structure including another booster antenna and another first magnetic material sheet may be provided in a case for accommodating the housing of the communication apparatus, and the booster antenna may be magnetically coupled to the other booster antenna in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.

In this way, even in the state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case, it is possible to secure the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the housing may have a metal part in a part, and the other first magnetic material sheet may be disposed between the other booster antenna and the metal part in the state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.

In this way, it is possible to magnetically shield the other booster antenna from the metal part.

In another viewpoint of the present technology, a booster antenna structure includes: a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil in a state where a communication apparatus having a housing in which the antenna coil is disposed is accommodated in a case for accommodating the housing; and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed in the case.

In this way, even in the state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case, it is possible to secure the communication performance of the communication apparatus.

In the booster antenna structure, the housing may have a metal part in a part, and the first magnetic material sheet may be disposed between the booster antenna and the metal part in the state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.

In this way, it is possible to magnetically shield the booster antenna from the metal part.

A communication apparatus according to the present technology includes a housing and a booster antenna structure. The booster antenna structure includes a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil of a coil substrate disposed inside the housing, and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate in the inside of the housing, and having a size larger than a size of the coil substrate.

A case according to the present technology includes a case main body and a booster antenna structure. The case main body accommodates a housing of a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus having the housing in which an antenna coil is disposed. The booster antenna structure includes a booster antenna magnetically coupled to the antenna coil in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case main body, and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed in the case main body.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present technology, it is possible to provide a technology in which it is possible to improve the communication performance of a communication apparatus.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

<Overall Configuration of Communication Apparatus100and Configuration of Each Part>

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view illustrating each member disposed inside a housing5A in a communication apparatus100.FIG. 2is a schematic side sectional view of the communication apparatus100and a schematic top view illustrating each member configuring an antenna device50.FIG. 3is a view for describing each member configuring the antenna device50and a size of each part that each member has.

The communication apparatus100is various apparatus that performs communication with a reader/writer101(seeFIG. 5) by a contactless short-range communication method such as NFC. The communication apparatus100is, for example, a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a portable game machine, a portable music player, a tablet PC (PC: personal computer), a wearable device (wristband type, neck type, head mounted type, and the like), a camera, a car navigation device, and the like.

Note that the communication apparatus100may be a contactless IC card (IC: Integrated Circuit) that is usable as electronic money in payment of a boarding fare for public transportation, payment for shopping at a store, and the like. Basically, the communication apparatus100may be any apparatus as long as it is able to communicate with the reader/writer101by the short-range communication method.

The reader/writer101(seeFIG. 5) as a communication party of the communication apparatus100is, for example, various apparatus such as a tablet PC and a mobile phone (including a smartphone) with a reader/writer function mounted. Alternatively, the reader/writer101may be apparatus dedicated to the reader/writer. Basically, the reader/writer101may be any apparatus as long as it is able to communicate with the communication apparatus100by the short-range communication method.

Although a case where the communication apparatus100is the communication party of the reader/writer101will be described in this embodiment, the communication apparatus100itself may be the reader/writer101.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, the communication apparatus100has a housing5A, an antenna device50disposed inside the housing5A, and a metal component60disposed below the antenna device50in the inside of the housing5A.

In the present embodiment, the housing5A has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in a thickness direction (Z-axis direction), and an upper housing6A and a lower housing7A are configured to be bonded. In the description of the present embodiment, a width direction, a length direction, and the thickness direction of the housing5A are respectively set as an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.

The housing5A is typically configured with various materials such as resin and metal, but materials other than metal are used in at least a portion where the antenna device50is disposed (a portion in which communication is performed: an upper side in the example illustrated in the figure).

The metal component60includes a printed wiring board61, and further includes various metallic components62such as a motor, a speaker, a microphone, an imaging device, and a cooling device which are not mounted on the printed wiring board61. The printed wiring board61is configured by mounting various chip-like electronic components on a substrate provided with wiring.

The antenna device50includes a booster antenna structure1A including a booster antenna10A and a first magnetic material sheet20A; a coil substrate30; and a second magnetic material sheet40. Here, the width (X-axis direction) of the booster antenna10A, the first magnetic material sheet20A, the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material sheet40illustrated in the lower side ofFIG. 2andFIG. 3are represented by being reduced compared to that ofFIG. 1(exactly, a central area in the width direction is not reduced, and both sides in the width direction are reduced).

The coil substrate30has a support32and an antenna coil31supported by the support32. The support32is a sheet-like member that is thin in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction), and in the present embodiment, the support32has a rectangular shape in plan view. Note that the shape of the support32may be circular, elliptical or the like, and the shape is not particularly limited.

The antenna coil31is configured to be wound in a spiral shape on the surface (the lower surface in the example illustrated in the figure) of the support32and has a coil opening31apartitioned by the antenna coil31at the center position. In the present embodiment, the antenna coil31is rectangularly wound, and in this relationship, the coil opening31ais also rectangular. Note that the shape of the antenna coil31or the coil opening31amay be circular, elliptical, or the like, and the shape is not particularly limited.

The antenna coil31is electrically connected to the printed wiring board61through a pad electrode or the like provided on the support32of the coil substrate30.

The booster antenna structure1A has a laminated structure including a booster antenna10A and a first magnetic material sheet20A, and is disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate30in the inside of the housing5A. Also, the size of the booster antenna structure1A (area or region in a plane. Herein, width X length:X-axis direction×Y-axis direction) is set larger than the size of the coil substrate30.

The booster antenna10A is able to be magnetically coupled to the antenna coil31. The booster antenna10A is a sheet-like member that is thin in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) and configured with metal such as copper. In the present embodiment, the booster antenna10A has a rectangular shape in plan view, but the shape of the booster antenna10A may be circular, elliptical, or the like, and the shape is not particularly limited.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the booster antenna10A is thinner than a commonly used thickness, and is typically about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Note that the thickness of the booster antenna10A may be thinner than 0.1 mm, or may be thicker than 0.3 mm.

The size of the booster antenna10A is set larger than the size of the coil substrate30. In the present embodiment, the size of the booster antenna10A in the width direction is substantially equal to the size of the coil substrate30in the width direction, but the size of the booster antenna10A in the length direction is larger than the size of the coil substrate30in the length direction.

Also, the booster antenna10A has the same size as the upper inner surface of the housing5A, and the size is large enough to cover the entire upper inner surface of the housing5A.

The booster antenna10A has an opening11penetrating the booster antenna10A in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) at a position corresponding to the coil opening31a. The size of the opening11in the booster antenna10A is substantially equal to the size of the coil opening31a,or smaller than the size of the coil opening31a.In the present embodiment, the size of the opening11in the booster antenna10A is substantially equal to the size of the coil opening31a, and the shape of the opening11is rectangular according to the shape of the coil opening31a.

Also, the booster antenna10A also has a slit part12connected between the opening11and an outer peripheral edge. In the present embodiment, the slit part12is formed along the length direction (Y-axis direction), and the width (X-axis direction) of the slit part12is smaller than the width (X-axis direction) of the opening11. On the other hand, the slit part12may be formed along the width direction (X-axis direction), and the width of the slit part12may be a size substantially equal to the width of the opening11(seeFIGS. 11 and 12to be described later).

The first magnetic material sheet20A is disposed between the booster antenna10A and the coil substrate30, and also disposed between the metal component60and a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30. The first magnetic material sheet20A magnetically shields the metal component60from the portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30(a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the second magnetic material sheet20).

The first magnetic material sheet20A is a sheet-like member that is thin in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) and configured with, for example, a sintered magnetic material (for example, ferrite), a metal magnetic material or the like. Similarly to the booster antenna10A, in the present embodiment, the first magnetic material sheet20A has a rectangular shape in plan view, but the shape of the first magnetic material sheet20A is circular, elliptical or the like, and the shape is not particularly limited.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the first magnetic material sheet20A is thinner than the commonly used thickness, and is typically about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Note that the thickness of the booster antenna10A may be thinner than 0.1 mm, or may be thicker than 0.3 mm.

The size of the first magnetic material sheet20A is set to be the same size as the booster antenna10A. In the present embodiment, the size of the first magnetic material sheet20A in the width direction is substantially equal to the size of the coil substrate30in the width direction, but the size of the first magnetic material sheet20A in the length direction is larger than the size of the coil substrate30in the length direction.

The first magnetic material sheet20A has a notch21penetrating the first magnetic material sheet20A in the thickness direction at a position overlapping with at least the antenna coil31and the coil opening31a(a position corresponding to the antenna coil31). The size of the notch21is substantially equal to the size of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31, or larger than the size of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31.

In the present embodiment, the notch21reaches the outer peripheral edge in a direction along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first magnetic material sheet20A. On the other hand, the notch21may not reach the outer peripheral edge of the first magnetic material sheet20A.

In this case, for example, a notch21having the same shape (rectangle) as the shape of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31and having the same size as the size of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31may be formed in the first magnetic material sheet20A (see the upper side and the like ofFIG. 10to be described later). Alternatively, the left side of the first magnetic material sheet20A may be entirely cut away from a position corresponding to the outer periphery on the right side of the antenna coil31to form the notch21(see the lower side ofFIG. 10to be described later).

The second magnetic material sheet40is disposed between the coil substrate30and the metal component60. The second magnetic material sheet40magnetically shields the coil substrate30from the metal component60. Similarly to the first magnetic material sheet20A, the second magnetic material sheet40is a sheet-like member that is thin in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) and configured with a sintered magnetic material (for example, ferrite), a metal magnetic material, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the second magnetic material sheet40has a rectangular shape in plan view, but the shape of the second magnetic material sheet40may be circular, elliptical, or the like, and the shape is not particularly limited.

The thickness of the second magnetic material sheet40is thinner than the commonly used thickness, and is typically about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Note that the thickness of the second magnetic material sheet40may be thinner than 0.1 mm, or may be thicker than 0.3 mm. The size of the second magnetic material sheet40is set to be the same size as the coil substrate30.

The booster antenna10A and the first magnetic material sheet20A are fixed to each other through an adhesive layer or the like, and are integrated to form a booster antenna structure1A. The booster antenna structure1A is fixed to the upper inner surface of the housing5A through an adhesive layer or the like. Also, the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40are fixed to each other through an adhesive layer or the like.

Here, the coil substrate30and the booster antenna structure1A may be fixed to each other through an adhesive layer or the like, but in the present embodiment, the coil substrate30and the booster antenna structure1A are not fixed to each other (at least when the communication apparatus100is assembled). That is, in the present embodiment, the booster antenna structure1A is individualized from the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40.

<Assembling Process of Communication Apparatus100>

Next, an assembling process of the communication apparatus100will be described.FIG. 4is a view illustrating an assembling process of the communication apparatus100.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, first, on an upper housing6A side, the booster antenna structure1A configured by integrating the booster antenna10A and the first magnetic material sheet20A is fixed to the upper inner surface of the upper housing6A. That is, when the booster antenna structure1A is disposed inside the housing5A, the booster antenna structure1A is individually disposed separately from the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40.

On the other hand, on a lower housing7A side, first, the metal component60is fixed to the lower inner surface of the lower housing7A. Then, the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40are fixed to the upper side of the metal component60(the upper side of the printed wiring board61, in the example illustrated in the figure) through a spacer or the like. Thereafter, the upper housing6A and the lower housing7A are bonded, and assembling in the communication apparatus100is completed.

Next, operations when the communication apparatus100and the reader/writer101communicate with each other will be described.FIG. 5is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a situation when the communication apparatus100and the reader/writer101communicate with each other.FIG. 6is a view illustrating a current flowing to the antenna coil31and the booster antenna10A.

First, an operation when the communication apparatus100receives information from the reader/writer101will be described. Note that communication between the communication apparatus100and the reader/writer101is basically started from the reader/writer101.

Once a current flows in an antenna coil131of the reader/writer101, a magnetic field is generated in the antenna coil131, and the magnetic field interlinks with the booster antenna10A of the communication apparatus100. In this way, the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101and the booster antenna10A of the communication apparatus100are magnetically coupled, and a current flows along the outer peripheral edge of the booster antenna10A.

The current flowing along the outer peripheral edge of the booster antenna10A flows around the opening11by passing around the slit part12. Once a current flows around the opening11, a magnetic field is generated in the opening11, and the magnetic field interlinks with the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100. In this way, in the communication apparatus100, the booster antenna10A and the antenna coil31are magnetically coupled, and a current flows in the antenna coil31in a direction opposite to the direction of the current flowing around the opening11. In this way, the communication apparatus100receives information from the reader/writer101.

Next, an operation when the communication apparatus100transmits information to the reader/writer101will be described.

Once a current flows in the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100, a magnetic field is generated in the antenna coil31, and the magnetic field interlinks with the booster antenna10A. In this way, in the communication apparatus100, the antenna coil31and the booster antenna10A are magnetically coupled, and a current flows around the opening11of the booster antenna10A in a direction opposite to the direction of the current flowing in the antenna coil31.

The current flowing around the opening11of the booster antenna10A passes around the slit part12and flows along the outer peripheral edge. Once a current flows through the booster antenna10A, a magnetic field is generated by the booster antenna10A, and the magnetic field performs coupling with the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101. In this way, information from the communication apparatus100is transmitted to the reader/writer101.

<Action and the Like>

Next, an action and the like in the present embodiment will be described. In the description of the action and the like, first, a comparative example to be compared with the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7is a schematic perspective view illustrating each member disposed inside the housing5A in a communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example.FIG. 8is a schematic side sectional view illustrating the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example does not have the first magnetic material sheet20A, and the sizes of a booster antenna10′, the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material sheet40are the same.

In the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example, the size of the booster antenna10′ is small. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 8, once a position of the antenna coil131in the reader/writer101is slightly deviated from a position of the booster antenna10′, it is not possible to sufficiently secure communication performance. In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, out of the antenna coil131in the reader/writer101, a portion represented on the left side is magnetically coupled to the booster antenna10′, but a portion represented on the right side is not magnetically coupled to the booster antenna10′. As described above, in the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example, it is not possible to sufficiently secure communication performance between communication apparatus102and the reader/writer101.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the size of the booster antenna10A is set to be larger than the size of the coil substrate30. In this way, in the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, out of the antenna coil131in the reader/writer101, both portions represented on the left and the right sides are able to be magnetically coupled to the booster antenna10A. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the communication performance of the communication apparatus100.

On the other hand, in the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example, it is not possible to appropriately secure communication performance simply by making the size of the booster antenna10′ larger than the size of the coil substrate30.

Here, as a communication apparatus103according to a second comparative example, there is considered a case where the size of the booster antenna10′ in the communication apparatus102according to the first comparative example is larger than the size of coil substrate30.FIG. 9is a schematic side sectional view illustrating the communication apparatus103according to the second comparative example. As compared with the communication apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the first magnetic material sheet20A is skipped in the communication apparatus103according to the second comparative example.

In the communication apparatus103according to the second comparative example, the second magnetic material sheet40is interposed between the booster antenna10A and the metal component60. On the other hand, no magnetic material sheet is interposed between the booster antenna10A and the metal component60in a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30.

In this case, there is considered a case where the communication apparatus103receives information from the reader/writer101by means of the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil131in the reader/writer101. Here, once attention is paid to a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30(a portion on the lower side where there is no magnetic material sheet), a magnetic field generated by the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101is coupled to the metal component60positioned below this portion to be damped. This effect degrades communication performance.

Also, there is considered a case where the communication apparatus103transmits information to the reader/writer101by means of the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil31in the communication apparatus103. Once attention is paid to a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30, a magnetic field generated by the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus103, or a magnetic field of the booster antenna10A generated by this magnetic field is coupled to a metal component60positioned below this portion to be damped. This effect degrades communication performance.

On the other hand, in the communication apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the first magnetic material sheet20A is interposed between the booster antenna10A and the coil substrate30. Also, the size of the first magnetic material sheet20A is a size substantially equal to that of the booster antenna10A (larger than the size of the coil substrate30). That is, in the first magnetic material sheet20A, a part of the first magnetic material sheet20A is interposed between the metal component60and a portion where the booster antenna10A exceeds the coil substrate30. Therefore, in the communication apparatus100according to the present embodiment, it may be prevented that each magnetic field generated, when communication with the reader/writer101is performed, is damped due to an adverse effect of the metal component60positioned below the portion.

Also, in the communication apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the notch21is formed in the first magnetic material sheet20A at a position corresponding to the antenna coil31. The size of the notch21is substantially equal to the size of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100, or larger than the size of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100. In this way, when the booster antenna10A is magnetically coupled to the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100, it is possible to prevent the first magnetic material sheet20A from disturbing magnetic coupling, and it is possible to appropriately secure the communication performance of the communication apparatus100.

Furthermore, in the communication apparatus100according to the present embodiment, the booster antenna structure1A is individualized from the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40, and when the booster antenna structure1A is disposed inside the housing5A, the booster antenna structure1A is individually disposed separately from the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40. In this way, it is possible to improve the incorporating property of the booster antenna structure1A into the housing5A, and it is possible to make a thickness of the communication apparatus100thinner.

<Various Modified Examples of Booster Antenna Structure1A>

Next, various modified examples of the booster antenna structure1A will be described.FIGS. 10 to 12are views illustrating various modified examples of the booster antenna structure1A. Note that various modified examples described here are similarly applicable to respective embodiments to be described later.

With reference to the figure on the upper side ofFIG. 10, in the example illustrated in this figure, a shape of a notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A is different from a shape of the notch21illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3and the like. In the example illustrated to this figure, the notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A is formed as a rectangular opening. This notch22has the same size and shape (rectangle) as the shape of the outer periphery of the antenna coil31.

With reference to the figure on the lower side ofFIG. 10, in the example illustrated in this figure, a shape of a notch23of the first magnetic material sheet20A is different from a shape of the notch21illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3and the like. In the example illustrated in this figure, the left side of the first magnetic material sheet20A is entirely cut away from a position corresponding to the outer periphery on the right side of the antenna coil31to form the notch23.

With reference to the figure on the upper side ofFIG. 11, in the example illustrated in this figure, a slit part13of the booster antenna10A is different from the slit part12illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3. In the example illustrated to this figure, the slit part13of the booster antenna10A is formed along the width direction (X-axis direction), instead of the length direction (Y-axis direction).

With reference to the figure on the lower side ofFIG. 11, in the example illustrated in this figure, the slit part13of the booster antenna10A and the notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A are different from those in the example illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3. In the example illustrated to this figure, the slit part13of the booster antenna10A is formed along the width direction (X-axis direction). Also, the notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A is formed as a rectangular opening.

With reference to the figure on the upper side ofFIG. 12, in the example illustrated in this figure, a slit part14of the booster antenna10A is different from the slit part12illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3. In the example illustrated in this figure, the slit part14of the booster antenna10A is formed along the width direction (X-axis direction). Also, the width (the Y-axis direction, for the sake of convenience, in the description herein) of the slit part14is a size substantially equal to the width (the Y-axis direction, for the sake of convenience, in the description herein) of the opening11of the booster antenna10A.

With reference to the figure on the lower side ofFIG. 12, in the example illustrated in this figure, the slit part14of the booster antenna10A and the notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A are different from those in the example illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3. In the example illustrated in this figure, the slit part12of the booster antenna10A is formed along the width direction (X-axis direction). Also, the width (the Y-axis direction, for the sake of convenience, in the description herein) of the slit part12is a size substantially equal to the width (the Y-axis direction, for the sake of convenience, in the description herein) of the opening11of the booster antenna10A. Also, in the example illustrated to this figure, the notch22of the first magnetic material sheet20A is formed as a rectangular opening.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present technology will be described. In the subsequent description of the second embodiment, members having the same configurations and functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated or will be simplified. Also, in the subsequent description of the second embodiment, differences from the aforementioned first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 13is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a communication apparatus104according to the second embodiment. In the communication apparatus104according to the second embodiment, configurations of a booster antenna structure1B are different from those of the booster antenna structure1A according to the aforementioned first embodiment.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the booster antenna structure1B according to the second embodiment has a laminated structure including the booster antenna10B and the first magnetic material sheet20B, and is disposed on an outer side relative to the coil substrate30.

Also, similarly to the first embodiment, a size of the booster antenna structure1B according to the second embodiment is larger than the size of the coil substrate30, but the length thereof is formed to be longer than that of the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, this booster antenna structure1A is provided across three inner surfaces along three inner surfaces of the upper inner surface, the right inner surface, and the lower inner surface of the housing5A.

In this way, when communication is performed by bringing the reader/writer101close to the communication apparatus104, it is possible to perform communication by bringing the reader/writer101close to the communication apparatus104from a plurality of directions. Also, in a case where communication is performed by bringing the communication apparatus104close to the reader/writer101, it is possible to perform communication regardless of the posture of the communication apparatus104. Note that, in the example illustrated inFIG. 13, a situation when communication is performed by bringing the reader/writer101close to the upper side and the lower side of the communication apparatus104is illustrated.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 13, a case where the booster antenna structure1A is provided across three inner surfaces out of the six inner surfaces of the housing5A has been described. On the other hand, the antenna structure may be provided across two inner surfaces, or four or more inner surfaces out of the inner surfaces of the housing5A (that is, the booster antenna structure1A may be provided across two or more inner surfaces)).

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present technology will be described.FIG. 14is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a communication apparatus105according to the third embodiment.

As compared with the aforementioned respective embodiments, in the communication apparatus105according to the third embodiment, configurations of a housing5B and a booster antenna structure1C are different.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the communication apparatus105has a housing5B including an upper housing6B and a lower housing7B. The housing5B has a shape thicker in the thickness direction than the housing5A according to the aforementioned respective embodiments. Also, the housing5B does not have a simple rectangular parallelepiped shape, but has a shape (a heptahedron) in which one upper corner of the rectangular parallelepiped shape is notched obliquely along the width direction (X-axis).

Note that, in the third embodiment, on the upper side of the housing5B, a portion parallel to a horizontal plane (XY plane) is called an upper portion of the housing5B, and on the upper side of the housing5B, an obliquely inclined portion (an upper right portion inFIG. 14) is called a tapered portion (similarly applicable to the fourth embodiment to be described later).

Note that, in the third embodiment, the coil substrate30requiring flatness and the second magnetic material sheet40disposed below the coil substrate30are disposed at a position (a recessed position) distant from the upper inner surface of the housing5B, in connection with the housing5B having a complicated shape.

Similarly to the aforementioned respective embodiments, the booster antenna structure1C according to the third embodiment has a laminated structure including the booster antenna10C and the first magnetic material sheet20C, and is disposed on an outer side relative to the coil substrate30. Also, similarly to the aforementioned respective embodiments, the size of the booster antenna structure1C according to the third embodiment is larger than the size of the coil substrate30.

On the other hand, differently to the aforementioned respective embodiments, the booster antenna structure1C according to the third embodiment is formed to be folded back along a fold in a direction along the width direction (X-axis direction) in a central area of the length direction (Y-axis direction).

Specifically, the booster antenna structure1C has a first portion1a(the first portion1ais not disposed along the inner surface of the housing5B) disposed to overlap the coil substrate30. Also, the booster antenna structure1C has a second portion1bformed to be folded back (bent) from the first portion1aand disposed along the inner surface of the housing5B (the second portion1bis not disposed to overlap the coil substrate30). The second portion1bis disposed along the inner surface of the upper portion and the tapered portion of the housing5B.

The booster antenna10C has a first antenna part10acorresponding to the first portion1aand a second antenna part10bcorresponding to the second portion1b. That is, the booster antenna10C has the first antenna part10adisposed to overlap the coil substrate30, and the second antenna part10bformed to be folded back (bent) from the first antenna part10aand disposed along the inner surface of the housing5B.

Similarly, the first magnetic material sheet20C has a first magnetic material part20acorresponding to the first portion1aand a second magnetic material part20bcorresponding to the second portion1b. That is, the first magnetic material sheet20C has the first magnetic material part20adisposed to overlap the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material part20bformed to be folded back (bent) from the first magnetic material part20aand disposed along the inner surface of the housing5B.

Here, in the booster antenna structure10, attention is paid to the first portion1adisposed to overlap the coil substrate30. In the first portion1a, the first antenna part10aof the booster antenna100is disposed on the coil substrate30, and the first magnetic material part20aof the first magnetic material sheet20C is disposed on the first antenna part10a.

That is, the first antenna part10ais disposed on the inner side of the housing5B relative to the first magnetic material part20a,and vice versa, the first magnetic material part20ais disposed on the outer side of housing5B relative to the first antenna part10a.Note that the first antenna part10ais interposed between the first magnetic material part20aand the coil substrate30.

Next, in the booster antenna structure10, attention is paid to the second portion1bformed to be folded back from the first portion1a. In the second portion1b, the second antenna part10bof the booster antenna100is disposed on the second magnetic material part20bof the first magnetic material sheet20C. That is, the second antenna part10bis disposed on the outer side of the housing5B relative to the second magnetic material part20b,and vice versa, the second magnetic material part20bis disposed on the inner side of the housing5B relative to the second antenna part10b.

Note that, in the booster antenna structure1C, relationship between vertical positions of the booster antenna10C and the first magnetic material sheet20C is reversed in the first portion1aand the second portion1b, in connection with the second portion1bbeing formed to be folded back from the first portion1a.

Here, in the aforementioned respective embodiments, the first magnetic material sheets20A and20B are disposed on the coil substrate30, and the booster antennas10A and10B are disposed on the first magnetic material sheets20A and20B. Therefore, as compared with the aforementioned respective embodiments, in the first portion1a, vertical relationship between the booster antenna10C and the first magnetic material sheet20C is reversed. On the other hand, as compared with the aforementioned respective embodiments, in the second portion1bnot to be disposed to overlap the coil substrate10, vertical relationship between the booster antenna10C and the first magnetic material sheet20C is the same.

Next, a communication apparatus106according to a third comparative example will be described.FIG. 15is a schematic side sectional view of the communication apparatus106according to the third comparative example. Differently to the third embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the communication apparatus106according to the third comparative example does not have the first magnetic material sheet, and the sizes of the booster antenna10′, the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material sheet40are the same. Also, the booster antenna10′, the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material sheet40are disposed in an order from the top, and the booster antenna10′ is not formed to be folded back.

For example, in a case where the coil substrate30requiring flatness is disposed inside the housing5B having a complicated structure, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the coil substrate30may have to be disposed at a position distant from the inner surface of the housing5B, in connection with the restriction of disposition inside the housing5B. In such a case, it is not possible to secure communication performance between the communication apparatus106and the reader/writer101simply by disposing the booster antenna10′ on the coil substrate30.

Note that,FIG. 15illustrates a situation when the magnetic field of the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101does not reach the booster antenna10′ in the communication apparatus106, and the communication apparatus106and the reader/writer101are not able to appropriately communicate with each other.

FIG. 16is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a situation when the communication apparatus105according to the third embodiment and the reader/writer101communicate with each other. As illustrated also inFIG. 16, in the booster antenna structure1C of the third embodiment, the second portion1bformed to be folded back from the first portion1ais disposed along the inner surface of the housing5B. Therefore, in connection with the restriction of disposition inside the housing5B, even though the coil substrate30is disposed at a position distant from the inner surface of the housing5B, it is possible to appropriately secure communication performance between the communication apparatus105and the reader/writer101.

Note that,FIG. 16illustrates a situation when the magnetic field of the antenna coil31of the reader/writer101interlinks with the booster antenna10C in the communication apparatus105, and the communication apparatus105and the reader/writer101appropriately communicate with each other.

Similarly to the first embodiment, also in the third embodiment, when the booster antenna structure1C is disposed inside the housing5B, the booster antenna structure1C may be individually disposed separately from the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40(seeFIG. 4: similarly applicable to the fourth embodiment). In this way, it is possible to improve the incorporating property of the booster antenna structure1C into the housing5B. In particular, in the third embodiment, since the housing5B has a complicated structure, it is particularly effective to improve the incorporating property of the booster antenna structure1C into the housing5B.

Here, in the second portion1bof the booster antenna structure1C, the second magnetic material part20bof the first magnetic material sheet20C is disposed below the second antenna part10bof the booster antenna10C.

By disposing the second magnetic material part20bat such a position, when the communication apparatus105receives information from the reader/writer101, the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101is able to be magnetically coupled to the booster antenna10C, appropriately. Also, when information is transmitted from the communication apparatus105to the reader/writer101, it is possible to expand a radiation range of the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil31. Note that the first magnetic material part20aof the first magnetic material sheet20C may be skipped as necessary.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present technology will be described.FIG. 17is a view illustrating the communication apparatus107according to a fourth embodiment.

In the description of the fourth embodiment, differences from the aforementioned third embodiment will be mainly described. Once differences from the third embodiment will be briefly described, the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that a part of the housing5C is configured with metal, and in that vertical relationship between the booster antenna10D and the first magnetic material sheet20D is reversed. Hereinafter, specific description will be provided.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, the housing5C including the upper housing6C and the lower housing6C has the same shape as the housing5B according to the third embodiment. On the other hand, differently to the housing5B according to the third embodiment, the housing5C has a metal part8in a part (upper right in the figure: a part of a place along a second portion1dof the booster antenna structure1D) of the upper housing6C of the housing5C. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the tapered portion is configured with metal (other portions are configured with nonmetal such as resin).

Similarly to the third embodiment, the booster antenna structure1D according to the fourth embodiment is formed to be folded back along a fold in a direction along the width direction (X-axis direction) in a central area of the length direction (Y-axis direction).

Also, similarly to the third embodiment, the booster antenna structure1D according to the fourth embodiment has a first portion1c(this first portion1cis not disposed along the inner surface of a housing5C) disposed to overlap the coil substrate30. Also, similarly to the third embodiment, the booster antenna structure1D according to the fourth embodiment is the second portion1d(this second portion1dis not disposed to overlap with the coil substrate30) formed to be folded back (bent) from the first portion1c, and disposed along the inner surface of the housing5C. The second portion1dis disposed along the inner surfaces of the upper portion and the tapered portion of the housing5C.

Also, similarly to the third embodiment, the booster antenna10D according to the fourth embodiment has a first antenna part10ccorresponding to the first portion1cand a second antenna part10dcorresponding to the second portion1d. That is, the booster antenna10D has the first antenna part10cdisposed to overlap the coil substrate30, and the second antenna part10dformed to be folded back (bent) from the first antenna part10c,and disposed along the inner surface of the housing5C.

Also, similarly to the third embodiment, the first magnetic material sheet20D according to the fourth embodiment has a first magnetic material part20ccorresponding to the first portion1cand a second magnetic material part20dcorresponding to the second portion1d. That is, the first magnetic material sheet20D has the first magnetic material part20cdisposed to overlap the coil substrate30, and the second magnetic material part20dformed to be folded (bent) from the first magnetic material part20cand disposed along the inner surface of the housing5C.

Note that the second magnetic material part20dof the first magnetic material sheet20D is formed along the inner surface of the metal part8(tapered portion) on the upper side of the housing5C, but is not formed along the inner surface of the upper portion of the housing5C. That is, the size of the first magnetic material sheet20D is smaller than that of the booster antenna10D, and the first magnetic material sheet20D exists only the middle of the second portion1dof the booster antenna structure1D.

Here, in the booster antenna structure1D, attention is paid to the first portion1cdisposed to overlap the coil substrate30. In the first portion1c, the first magnetic material part20cof the first magnetic material sheet20D is disposed on the coil substrate30, and the first antenna part10cof the booster antenna10D is disposed on the first magnetic material part20c.That is, the first magnetic material part20cis disposed on the inner side of the housing5C relative to the first antenna part10c,and vice versa, the first antenna part10cis disposed on the outer side of the housing5C relative to the first magnetic material part20c.Also, the first magnetic material part20cis interposed between the first antenna part10cand the coil substrate30.

Next, in the booster antenna structure1D, attention is paid to the second portion1dformed to be folded back from the first portion1c. First, once attention is paid to a portion along the inner surface of the metal part8(tapered portion) in the second portion1d, in this portion, a second magnetic material part20dof the first magnetic material sheet20D is disposed on the second antenna part10dof the booster antenna10D.

That is, the second antenna part10dis disposed on the inner side of the housing5C relative to the second magnetic material part20d,and vice versa, the second magnetic material part20dis disposed on the outer side of the housing5A relative to the second antenna part10d.Also, the second magnetic material part20dis interposed between the second antenna part10dand the metal part8(tapered portion) of the housing5C, and the second magnetic material part20dmagnetically shields the second antenna part10dfrom the metal part8.

Next, once attention is paid to a portion along the inner surface of the upper portion of the housing5C in the second portion1d, in this portion, the second antenna part10dof the booster antenna10D exists, but the first magnetic material sheet20D is not exist. That is, in this portion, the second magnetic material part20dis not interposed between the second antenna part10dand the housing5C (nonmetal), and the second antenna part10D is disposed at a position directly below the housing5C.

FIG. 18is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a situation when a communication apparatus107according to the fourth embodiment and the reader/writer101communicate with each other. In the fourth embodiment, particularly, in the second portion1dof the booster antenna structure1D, the second magnetic material part20dof the first magnetic material sheet20D is interposed between the metal part (tapered portion) of the housing5C and the second antenna part10dof the booster antenna10D.

Therefore, when the communication apparatus100receives the information from the reader/writer101, it may be prevented that the magnetic field generated from the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101is adversely affected by the metal part8of the housing5C, and the adversely-affected magnetic field interlinks with the booster antenna10D.

Also, when the communication apparatus100transmits information to the reader/writer101, it may be prevented that the magnetic field generated from the booster antenna10D is adversely affected by the metal part8of the housing5C, and the adversely-affected magnetic field interlinks with the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101.

Note that the first magnetic material part20cof first magnetic material sheet20D may be skipped as necessary.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, a case where, in the booster antenna structure1D, a portion along the inner surface of the upper portion (nonmetal) of the housing5A is configured with only the booster antenna10D has been described. On the other hand, the first magnetic material sheet20D may be provided below the booster antenna10A in a portion along the inner surface of the upper portion (nonmetal) of the housing5A.

In this case, the second magnetic material part20dof the first magnetic material sheet20D is disposed on the outer side of the housing5C relative to the booster antenna10D, in a portion corresponding to the metal part8of the housing5C. On the other hand, the second magnetic material part20dis disposed on the inner side of the housing5C relative to the booster antenna10D, in a portion corresponding to a nonmetal part of the housing5C.

By disposing the second magnetic material part20dat such a position, it is possible to appropriately secure communication performance with the reader/writer101while eliminating the adverse effect of the metal part8of the housing5C in communication between the communication apparatus107and the reader/writer101.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present technology will be described. The fifth embodiment is mainly different from the aforementioned respective embodiments in that a booster antenna structure1E is not disposed inside the housing5D of the communication apparatus108, but is disposed inside a case200for accommodating the communication apparatus108.

FIG. 19is a schematic side sectional view illustrating the communication apparatus108and the case200according to the fifth embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 19, the communication apparatus100has a housing5D including an upper housing6D and a lower housing7D. The coil substrate30having an antenna coil31, and the second magnetic material sheet40are disposed inside the housing5D. The coil substrate30is disposed along the upper inner surface of the housing5A, and the second magnetic material sheet40is disposed below the coil substrate30.

The case200is, for example, a case of a smartphone when the communication apparatus108is the smartphone, and is a case of a camera when the communication apparatus108is the camera. Note that the case200may be any case as long as it is able to accommodate the communication apparatus108.

The case200has a case main body210and the booster antenna structure1E disposed inside the case main body210. The case main body210is able to accommodate the housing5D of the communication apparatus108, and is configured to cover the periphery of the housing5D.

Note that, when the housing5D of the communication apparatus100is accommodated in the case main body210, the case main body210is configured to cover at least a position (a position where communication is performed) in the housing5D, where the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40are disposed.

The booster antenna structure1E is disposed inside the case main body210. Note that the booster antenna structure1E may be provided outside the case main body210. For example, the booster antenna structure1E may be attached to the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the case main body210.

The booster antenna structure1E is disposed at a position corresponding to the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40, in the inside of the case main body210. Specifically, the booster antenna structure1E is disposed in a portion (an upper portion of the case main body210in the example illustrated inFIG. 20), out of each portion of the case main body210, which covers a position where the coil substrate30and the second magnetic material sheet40are disposed.

The booster antenna structure1E has a laminated structure including a booster antenna10E and a first magnetic material sheet20E. The booster antenna10E is disposed on an outer side relative to the first magnetic material sheet20E (on a reader/writer101side: communication party side) in the inside of the case main body210.

The booster antenna10E is configured to be magnetically coupled to the antenna coil31disposed inside the housing5D of the communication apparatus100, in a state where the housing5D of the communication apparatus100is accommodated in the case main body210. Note that in the example illustrated inFIG. 19, the size of the booster antenna10E is a size substantially equal to the size of coil substrate30, but the size of booster antenna10E may be configured to be larger than the size of coil substrate30.

The first magnetic material sheet20E is disposed on an inner side relative to the booster antenna10E (on the communication apparatus108side) in the inside of the case main body210. In the example illustrated inFIG. 19, the size of the first magnetic material sheet20E is a size substantially equal to the size of the coil substrate30, but the size of the first magnetic material sheet20E may be configured to be larger than the size of the coil substrate30.

The positions, sizes, and shapes of the opening11and the slit part12of the booster antenna10E, and the position, size, and shape of the notch21of the first magnetic material sheet20E are the same as those of the aforementioned first embodiment.

FIG. 20is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a state where the communication apparatus108is accommodated in a case201according to the comparative example. The case201according to the comparative example is different from a case200according to the fifth embodiment in that the case201does not have the booster antenna structure1E.

In the case201according to the comparative example, the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101or the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus100is disturbed by the case200and does not reach the antenna coils31and131of the other party. Therefore, the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101are not able to communicate with each other. Therefore, a user needs to remove the communication apparatus108from the case201when performing communication between the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101.

FIG. 21is a schematic sectional view illustrating a situation when the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101communicate with each other in a state where the communication apparatus108is removed from the case201. As illustrated inFIG. 21, the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101are able to communicate with each other in a state where the communication apparatus108is removed from the case201.

FIG. 22is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a situation when the communication apparatus100and the reader/writer101communicate with each other in a state where the communication apparatus108is accommodated in the case200according to the fifth embodiment.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the booster antenna structure1E having a laminated structure including the booster antenna10E and the first magnetic material sheet20E is disposed in the case main body210. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 22, the magnetic field generated by the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101is coupled to the booster antenna10E, and further, the magnetic field generated by the booster antenna10E is coupled to the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus108. Also, a magnetic field generated by the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus108is coupled to the booster antenna10E, and further, a magnetic field generated by the booster antenna10E is coupled to the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, even in a state where the communication apparatus108is accommodated in the case200, the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101are able to communicate with each other. In this way, the user is able to communicate with the communication apparatus108and the reader/writer101while the communication apparatus108is accommodated in the case200. Therefore, the user is freed from the inconvenience of having to remove the case200from the communication apparatus108each time communication is performed.

Note that, for example, the antenna structure1E may be provided across two or more portions of the case main body210(similarly applicable to embodiments to be described later). The basic idea about this is the same as that of the aforementioned second embodiment (seeFIG. 13). For example, the booster antenna structure1A may be provided across two surfaces of the upper and right portions in the case main body210, or may be provided across three surfaces of the upper, right, and lower portions in the case main body210.

In this way, when communication is performed by bringing the reader/writer101close to the communication apparatus108(accommodated in the case200), it is possible to perform communication by bringing the reader/writer101close to the communication apparatus108from a plurality of directions. Also, in a case where communication is performed by bringing the communication apparatus108(accommodated in the case200) closer to the reader/writer101, it is possible to perform communication regardless of the posture of the communication apparatus108.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present technology will be described.FIG. 23is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a communication apparatus109and the case200according to the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration of the housing5E in the communication apparatus109is different from that of the aforementioned fifth embodiment. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the configuration of the case200is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 23, the communication apparatus109has a housing5E including an upper housing6E and a lower housing7E. The housing5E has a metal part9in a part of the upper housing6E (upper right inFIG. 23). In the housing5E, the other portions are nonmetals such as resin.

The first magnetic material sheet20E is interposed between the booster antenna10E in the case200and the metal part9of the housing5E in the communication apparatus109, in a state where the communication apparatus109is accommodated in the case200. That is, the first magnetic material sheet20E magnetically shields the booster antenna10E from the metal part9in the communication apparatus109.

In this way, when the communication apparatus109receives information from the reader/writer101, it may be prevented that the magnetic field generated from the antenna coil131of the reader/writer101is coupled to the metal part9of the housing5E to be damped.

Note that the size of the first magnetic material sheet20E may be smaller than the size of the booster antenna10E. That is, in a case where the metal part9of the housing5E is small, it is possible to reduce the size of the first magnetic material sheet20A according to the size of the metal part9.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment according to the present technology will be described.FIG. 24is a schematic side sectional view illustrating a communication apparatus110and a case202according to the seventh embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 24, in the seventh embodiment, the booster antenna structure1F is provided in the communication apparatus110, and the booster antenna structure1G is also provided in the case202.

The communication apparatus110has a housing5F including an upper housing6F and a lower housing7F. The housing5F has a metal part9in a part of the upper housing6F (upper right inFIG. 24). In the housing5F, the other portions are nonmetals such as resin.

The booster antenna structure1F of the communication apparatus110is disposed at a position for avoiding the metal part9in the housing5F on the upper side inside the housing5F. That is, the booster antenna structure1F is disposed at a position corresponding to a portion configured with nonmetal such as resin in the housing5A.

A booster antenna10F of the communication apparatus110is configured to be magnetically coupled to the antenna coil31of the communication apparatus110. Also, the booster antenna10F of the communication apparatus110is configured to be magnetically coupled to a booster antenna10G in the case202, in a state where the communication apparatus110is accommodated in the case202. The first magnetic material sheet20F in the communication apparatus110magnetically shields the booster antenna10F in the communication apparatus110from the metal components60of the communication apparatus110.

The size of the booster antenna structure1G in the case202is larger than the size of the booster antenna structure1F in the communication apparatus110. In the example illustrated in the figure, the width of the booster antenna structure1G in the case202is the same as the width of the booster antenna structure1F in the communication apparatus110, but the length of the booster antenna structure1G in the case202is greater than the length of the booster antenna structure1F in the communication apparatus110.

The booster antenna10G of the case202is configured to be magnetically coupled to the antenna coil31in the communication apparatus110through the booster antenna10F in the communication apparatus110, in a state where the communication apparatus110is accommodated in the case202.

Also, the first magnetic material sheet20G of the case202is interposed between the booster antenna10G of the case202and the metal part9of the communication apparatus110in a state where the communication apparatus110is accommodated in the case202. In this way, the first magnetic material sheet20G of the case202magnetically shields the booster antenna10G of the case202from the metal part9of the housing5F.

The size of the first magnetic material sheet20G of the case202is smaller than the size of the booster antenna10G of the case202. Also, the first magnetic material sheet20G is not interposed between the booster antenna10G of the case202and the booster antenna10F of the communication apparatus100in a state where the communication apparatus110is accommodated in the case202. This is because, when the first magnetic material sheet20G is interposed between the two booster antennas10G and10F, the first magnetic material sheet20G interferes with the magnetic field coupling of the two booster antennas10G and10F.

In the sixth embodiment, booster antenna structures1F and1G are provided in both the communication apparatus110and the case202. Therefore, even in a state where the communication apparatus110is removed from the case202, and even in a state where the communication apparatus110is accommodated in the case202, it is possible to appropriately secure communication performance.

Also, in the sixth embodiment, the first magnetic material sheet20G of the case200is interposed between the booster antenna10G of the case200and the metal part9of the communication apparatus100, but is not interposed between two booster antennas10G and10F. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform magnetic coupling between two booster antennas10G and10F while appropriately eliminating the adverse effect of the metal part9of the housing5F.

VARIOUS MODIFIED EXAMPLES

In the above description, although a case where antenna structures1A to1G are used as an antenna in a short-range wireless communication method such as NFC has been described, antenna structures1A to1G may be used as an antenna for wireless communication such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi.

The present technology may also have the following configurations.(1) A booster antenna structure, including:a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil of a coil substrate disposed inside a housing of a communication apparatus; and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate in the inside of the housing, and having a size larger than a size of the coil substrate.(2) The booster antenna structure according to (1), in whichthe booster antenna structure is a laminated structure including the booster antenna and the first magnetic material sheet.(3) The booster antenna structure according to (1) or (2), in whichthe first magnetic material sheet is disposed between the booster antenna and the coil substrate.(4) The booster antenna structure according to (3), in whicha metal component is disposed inside the housing, and the first magnetic material sheet is disposed between the metal component and a portion where the booster antenna exceeds the coil substrate.(5) The booster antenna structure according to any one of (1) to (4), in whichthe first magnetic material sheet has a notch at a position corresponding to the antenna coil.(6) The booster antenna structure according to (5), in whicha size of the notch is equal to or larger than a size of the antenna coil.(7) The booster antenna structure according to any one of (1) to (6), in whichthe booster antenna and the first magnetic material sheet are integrated to configure the booster antenna structure.(8) The booster antenna structure according to (7), in whichwhen the booster antenna structure is disposed inside the housing, the booster antenna structure is individually disposed separately from the coil substrate.(9) The booster antenna structure according to any one of (1) to (8), in whichthe housing has two or more inner surfaces, and the booster antenna structure is provided across the two or more inner surfaces.(10) The booster antenna structure according to (1), in whichthe housing has an inner surface, andthe booster antenna structure has a first portion disposed to overlap the coil substrate, and a second portion formed to be bent from the first portion and disposed along the inner surface of the housing.(11) The booster antenna structure according to (10), in whichthe booster antenna has a first antenna part corresponding to the first portion, and a second antenna part corresponding to the second portion, andthe first magnetic material sheet has a magnetic material part disposed at a position on an inner side of the housing relative to the second antenna part.(12) The booster antenna structure according to (10), in whichthe housing has a metal part in a part of a place along the second portion,the booster antenna has a first antenna part corresponding to the first portion, and a second antenna part corresponding to the second portion, andthe first magnetic material sheet has a magnetic material part disposed between the second antenna part and the metal part of the housing.(13) The booster antenna structure according to any one of (1) to (12), in whicha metal component is disposed inside the housing, and a second magnetic material sheet is disposed between the coil substrate and the metal component.(14) The booster antenna structure according to any one of (1) to (13), in whichanother booster antenna structure including another booster antenna and another first magnetic material sheet is provided in a case for accommodating the housing of the communication apparatus, andthe booster antenna is magnetically coupled to the other booster antenna in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.(15) The booster antenna structure according to (14), in whichthe housing has a metal part in a part, andthe other first magnetic material sheet is disposed between the other booster antenna and the metal part in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.(16) A booster antenna structure, including:a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil in a state where a communication apparatus having a housing in which the antenna coil is disposed is accommodated in a case for accommodating the housing; and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed in the case.(17) The booster antenna structure according to (16), in whichthe housing has a metal part in a part, andthe first magnetic material sheet is disposed between the booster antenna and the metal part in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case.(18) A communication apparatus, including:a housing; anda booster antenna structure including a booster antenna magnetically coupled to an antenna coil of a coil substrate disposed inside the housing, and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed at a position on an outer side relative to the coil substrate in the inside of the housing, and having a size larger than a size of the coil substrate.(19) A case, including:a case main body that accommodates a housing of a communication apparatus having the housing in which an antenna coil is disposed; anda booster antenna structure including a booster antenna magnetically coupled to the antenna coil in a state where the communication apparatus is accommodated in the case main body, and a first magnetic material sheet, the booster antenna structure being disposed in the case main body.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST