COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE RESPONSIVE TO NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) TO ENTER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED OPERATING MODES

• US 20110212687A1
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: FOSTER, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 8,526,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communications device includes a housing and radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the housing and operative with each other. A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit is carried by the housing and connected to the processor. This circuit is configured to detect an NFC enabled tag using an NFC communications protocol when the device is positioned near the tag. The circuit generates a disable signal to the processor upon detecting the NFC enabled tag. The processor is configured to cause the device to enter a locked, operating mode upon receiving the disable signal and to enter or remain in an unlocked, operating mode if the NFC circuit does not generate a disable signal indicative that the NFC circuit has not detected the NFC enabled tag.

Claims

1. A communications device, comprising:

a housing;

radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the housing and operative with each other;

a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit carried by the housing and connected to the processor and configured to detect an NFC enabled tag using an NFC communications protocol to generate a disable signal to the processor upon detecting the NFC enabled tag, wherein the processor is configured to cause the device to enter a locked, operating mode upon receiving the disable signal and to enter or remain in an unlocked, operating mode if the NFC circuit does not generate the disable signal indicative that the NFC circuit has not detected the NFC enabled tag.

2. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said NFC circuit includes a timing circuit configured to operate the NFC circuit at intervals to detect the NFC enabled tag.

3. The communications device according to claim 2, wherein said timing circuit is configured to operate the NFC circuit at intervals of about every one to four seconds.

4. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is configured for handheld operation.

5. The communications device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board carried by the housing, wherein said processor is mounted on said circuit board.

6. The communications device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board carried by the housing, wherein said RF circuitry is mounted on said circuit board.

7. The communications device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board carried by the housing, and wherein said NFC circuit comprises a NFC integrated circuit chip mounted on the circuit board.

8. The communications device according to claim 1, wherein said NFC circuit is configured to detect an NFC enabled tag located in a closed space.

9. The communications device according to claim 8, wherein the closed space corresponds to a pocket in clothing to be worn.

10. The communications device according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna mounted within the housing and connected to the RF circuitry.

11. A method for enabling a communications device to enter a locked, operating mode or an unlocked, operating mode, comprising:

providing a communications device having a housing and radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the housing and operative with each other and a Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit;

detecting an NFC enabled tag using an NFC communications protocol; and

generating a disable signal from the NFC circuit to the processor upon detecting the NFC enabled tag, and the processor causing the device to enter a locked, operating mode after receiving the disable signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising causing the device to enter an unlocked, operating mode by removing the device away from the NFC enabled tag wherein the NFC circuit does not generate the disable signal indicative that the NFC circuit is not detecting the NFC enabled tag.

13. The method according to claim 11, and further comprising locating the NFC enabled tag in a closed space.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising timing operation of the NFC circuit to operate at intervals for detecting the NFC enabled tag.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising timing operation of the NFC circuit to operate at intervals of about every one to four seconds.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising mounting the RF circuitry on a circuit board carried by the housing.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising mounting the processor on a circuit board carried by the housing.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising forming the NFC circuit as a NFC integrated circuit chip and mounting the NFC integrated circuit chip on a circuit board.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising inserting the device within a pocket of clothing that includes a NFC enabled tag.

20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising mounting an antenna within the housing and connecting the antenna to the RF circuitry.

21. The method according to claim 11, further comprising forming the NFC enabled tag as a key fob.

22. An article of clothing, comprising:

a fabric configured to be worn and having a device area at which a communications device can be held; and

a Near Field Communications (NFC) enabled tag secured onto the fabric in a position that enables the communications device held within the device area to detect the NFC tag using an NFC communications protocol and enter a locked, operating mode.

23. The article of clothing according to claim 22, wherein said device area comprises a pocket formed on the fabric into which the communications device is inserted.

24. The article of clothing according to claim 23, wherein said NFC tag is secured within said pocket.

25. The article of clothing according to claim 22, wherein said fabric is configured as pants having a pocket forming the device area.