METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DUAL MODE COMMUNICATIONS
First Claim
1. A first communication device configured for communications with a second communications device, the first communication device comprising:
- a first transceiver allowing the first communication device to send and receive electromagnetic communication signals;
a second transceiver allowing the first communication device to send and receive capacitive communication signals; and
a control device coupled to the first and second transceivers,whereby the first communication device is configured for achieving both electromagnetic communications and capacitive communications, respectively, with the second communication device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A first communication device configured for communications with a second communications device, and related system and method of operation, are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the first device includes a first transceiver allowing the first device to send and receive electromagnetic communication signals, and a second transceiver allowing the first device to send and receive capacitive communication signals. The first device includes a control device coupled to the first and second transceivers, whereby the first device is configured for achieving both electromagnetic communications and capacitive communications, respectively, with the second device. In some further embodiments, the first device operates normally in a capacitive mode of communication and only switches to an electromagnetic mode of communication when the capacitive mode is unavailable or inadequate, and/or the first device only communicates with other devices in an electromagnetic mode if those other devices are also capable of communication via the capacitive mode.
110 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A first communication device configured for communications with a second communications device, the first communication device comprising:
-
a first transceiver allowing the first communication device to send and receive electromagnetic communication signals; a second transceiver allowing the first communication device to send and receive capacitive communication signals; and a control device coupled to the first and second transceivers, whereby the first communication device is configured for achieving both electromagnetic communications and capacitive communications, respectively, with the second communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of communicating comprising:
-
transmitting a capacitive communication signal from a first communication device to a second communication device; and transmitting an electromagnetic communication signal from either the first communication device to the second communication device or from the second communication device to the first communication device, wherein the transmitting of the capacitive communication signal precedes, occurs simultaneously with, or occurs after the transmitting of the electromagnetic communication signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of operating a first communication device, the method comprising:
-
operating the first communication device in a first mode such that the first communication device is capable of conducting communications with a second communication device by way of a capacitive communication link; and operating the first communication device in a second mode such that the first communication device is capable of conducting communications with the second communication device by way of a RF wireless communication link, wherein the first communication device normally operates in the first mode so that a power dissipation associated with the operating in the second mode is limited. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification