ACCELEROMETER TAP DETECTION TO INITIATE NFC COMMUNICATION

• US 20110070829A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Walker, David Ryan, Griffin, Jason T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,106,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

A communications device, method and system include a processor and a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit connected to the processor and configured to communicate using an NFC communications protocol. An accelerometer is connected to the processor and configured to generate a signal to the processor upon a tapping engagement with an NFC enabled device. In response, the processor activates the NFC circuit to transmit or receive data with the NFC enabled device using the NFC communications protocol.

Claims

1. A communications device, comprising:

a processor;

a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit connected to the processor and configured to communicate using an NFC communications protocol; and

an accelerometer connected to the processor and configured to generate a signal to the processor upon a tapping engagement with an NEC enabled device; and

wherein the processor is configured to activate, in response to the signal, the NEC circuit to transmit or receive data with the NFC enabled device using the NEC communications protocol.

2. The communications device according to claim 1, and further comprising an analog-to-digital converter connected to said accelerometer and processor and configured to receive analog acceleration signals from said accelerometer and convert said analog acceleration signals to digital signals for subsequent processing by said processor.

3. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to process data derived from the tapping engagement of the communications device with the NFC enabled device and generate a profile based on accelerometer parameters that are met or exceeded.

4. The communications device according to claim 3, wherein said processor is configured to compare accelerometer parameters against known accelerometer parameters.

5. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said accelerometer comprises a dual axis or tri-axis accelerometer.

6. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said communications device comprises a mobile wireless communications device configured for handheld use.

7. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said NEC circuit is configured to receive communications protocol data related to wireless communications different than the NFC communications protocol to be established with the NEC enabled device, and further comprising RF circuitry that is activated after receiving the communications protocol data.

8. The communications device according to claim 7, wherein said wireless communications comprise WiFi or Bluetooth communications.

9. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein the NEC enabled device comprises an NEC tag.

10. A method for initiating communications at a communications device, the method comprising:

providing a processor at the communications device, a Near Field Communications (NEC) circuit connected to the processor and configured to communicate using an NEC communications protocol, and an accelerometer connected to the processor;

generating a signal from the accelerometer to the processor upon tapping engagement to an NFC enabled device; and

in response to generating the signal from the accelerometer to the processor, activating the NFC circuit contained in the communications device for subsequent communications with the NEC enabled device using the NFC communications protocol.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving analog acceleration signals from the accelerometer and converting the analog acceleration signals to digital signals for subsequent processing by the processor.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising processing data derived from the tapping engagement of the communications device with an NEC enabled device and generating a profile based on accelerometer parameters that are met or exceeded.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising comparing accelerometer parameters against known accelerometer parameters.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising forming the accelerometer as a dual axis or tri-axis accelerometer.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising exchanging a communications protocol between the NEC enabled device and communications device for establishing a wireless communications connection other than the NEC communications protocol.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising establishing a Bluetooth or WiFi connection.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising forming the communications device as a portable wireless communications device.

18. A system for communicating, comprising:

a Near Field Communications (NFC) enabled device; and

a communications device comprising a processor, an NFC circuit connected to the processor and configured to communicate using an NFC communications protocol, and an accelerometer connected to the processor and configured to generate a signal to the processor upon a tapping engagement with the NFC enabled device and in response, the processor configured to activate the NFC circuit to transmit or receive data with the NFC enabled device using the NFC communications protocol.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said NFC enabled device comprises a NFC enabled tag.