Rfid Apparatus

• US 20080018433A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Innovision Research & Technology PLC (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pitt-Pladdy, Glen
• Granted Patent: US 8,373,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0707 the arrangement being capable of collecting energy from external energy sources, e.g. thermocouples, vibration, electromagnetic radiation G06K19/0702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

RFID apparatus includes transmission means for transmitting an RF signal; reception means for receiving a modulated RF signal; and demodulation means for demodulating a received modulated signal. The apparatus comprises generating means for generating a RF signal dependent on an incoming RF signal, the incoming RF signal being generated by different apparatus, and the apparatus is arranged to transmit the generated RF signal such that the generated RF signal interferes with the incoming RF signal. The RFID apparatus has both the means to respond to an RF reader device, in tag emulation mode, and means to function as an RF reader device, in reader mode.

Claims

1. RFID apparatus comprising:

a transmitter operative to transmit an RF signal;

a receiver operative to receive a modulated RF signal; and

a demodulator operative to demodulate a received modulated signal,

wherein the apparatus comprises a generator operative to generate a RF signal dependent on an incoming RF signal, said incoming RF signal being generated by different apparatus,

and wherein the apparatus is arranged to transmit said generated RF signal such that said generated RF signal interferes with the incoming RF signal.

2. RFID apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generator comprises a phase sensitive detection system responsive to phase in said incoming RF signal.

3. RFID apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said generator comprises a phase locked loop.

4. RFID apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the phase locked loop is a second order loop.

5. RFID apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the phase locked loop comprises a loop filter.

6. RFID apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the phase locked loop comprises a sample and hold circuit.

7. RFID apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is arranged to modulate said generated RF signal prior to transmission of said generated RF signal.

8. RFID apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that:

during said first mode, the apparatus can transmit an RF signal to a first external device and can receive a modulated RF signal from said first external device; and

during said second mode, the apparatus can generate an RF signal dependent upon an incoming RF signal received from a second external device, and transmit said generated RF signal to said second external device.

9. RFID apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and/or second mode of operation is independently selectable.

10. RFID apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mode of operation is selected in dependence on detection of an externally generated RF signal

11. RFID apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus has a default mode of operation, and wherein the default mode of operation is said first mode of operation.

12. RFID apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus has a default mode of operation, and wherein the default mode of operation is said second mode of operation.

13. RFID apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises an antenna used commonly to both receive said modulated RF signal and to transmit said generated RF signal.

14. RFID apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said antenna comprises an inductive coupling antenna.

15. RFID apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a modulator operative to modulate a carrier signal.

16. An electrical device incorporating an RFID apparatus according to claim 1.

17. An electrical device according to claim 16, wherein such electrical device is a mobile communications device, personal computer device, electronic wallet or purse, a vending machine, a watch, an ID device, an electronic ticket device, an access and entry system, a patient identification device or a medical device.

18. Radio frequency apparatus comprising both a circuit operative to respond to radio frequency reader apparatus and a circuit operative to operate as a radio frequency reader device.