Mobile terminal having radio frequency identification (RFID) function

• US 20070135083A1
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Yong-jin, Kim, Young-eil, Yoon, Byung-tae, Lee, Seong-soo, Park, Se-hyun, Kim, Kang-wook
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use

Abstract

A mobile terminal is provided having an radio frequency identification (RFID) function and includes an antenna which transmits and receives a radio signal; a radio frequency identification matching circuit which changes an operating band of the antenna to a frequency band where an RFID radio signal is input and output; a communication module which processes a mobile communication radio signal transmitted and received via the antenna; and a switch which connects the antenna to either the communication module or the RFID matching circuit according to whether an RFID function is used or not. Accordingly, the compactness of the mobile terminal can be realized, and the RFID communication performance can be enhanced.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

an antenna which transmits and receives a mobile communication radio signal;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) matching circuit which changes an operating band of the antenna to a frequency band where an RFID radio signal is input and output;

a communication module which processes the mobile communication radio signal transmitted and received via the antenna; and

a switch which connects the antenna to either the communication module or the RFID matching circuit according to whether an RFID function is used or not.

2. The mobile terminal as in claim 1, further comprising:

a communication matching circuit which matches the operating band of the antenna to a frequency band of the mobile communication radio signal.

3. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein the communication matching circuit is connected with the RFID matching circuit in parallel.

4. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein the switch selectively connects the antenna with either the communication matching circuit or the RFID matching circuit.

5. The mobile terminal as in claim 4, wherein, when the switch is switched to connect the antenna and the RFID matching circuit, the operating band of the antenna is matched to the frequency band of the RFID radio signal.

6. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein, when the switch is switched to connect the antenna and the communication matching circuit, the operating band of the antenna is matched to the frequency band of the mobile communication radio signal.

7. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein the RFID matching circuit is connected to an end of the communication matching circuit which directs the communication module, in parallel.

8. The mobile terminal as in claim 7, wherein the switch connects the communication matching circuit to either the communication module or the RFID matching circuit.

9. The mobile terminal as in claim 8, wherein, when the switch is switched to connect the communication matching circuit and the RFID matching circuit, the operating band of the antenna is matched to the frequency band of the RFID radio signal.

10. The mobile terminal as in claim 8, wherein, when the switch is switched to connect the communication matching circuit and the communication module, the operating band of the antenna is matched to the frequency band of the mobile communication radio signal.

11. The mobile terminal as in claim 1, wherein the RFID matching circuit comprises:

a first capacitor connected to the switch in series; and

a second capacitor connected to the first capacitor.

12. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein the communication matching circuit comprises:

a first inductor connected to the switch in series; and

a first capacitor connected to the first inductor.

13. The mobile terminal as in claim 2, wherein the RFID matching circuit is a circuit to match operating frequency of the antenna.