Near field communication system and associated apparatus

• US 8,099,045 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xueshan Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MStar Semiconductor Incorporated (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Mottola, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US12/315,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20090137204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/702, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/556.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/263 Multiple coils at either side
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A near field communication (NFC) system and an associated apparatus are provided. The NFC system includes a display device, a host computer, at least one RF module coupled to the host computer, a plurality of antennas coupled to the at least one RF module, and a NFC device. The antennas are disposed behind the display device. The NFC device is for communicating with the host computer via one of the antennas. The NFC system can upgrade communication quality and achieve multi-tasking efficiency.

Claims

1. A near field communication (NFC) system comprising:

a display device;

a host computer coupled to the display device;

at least one radio frequency (RF) module coupled to the host computer;

a plurality of antennas disposed behind the display device, wherein the plurality of antennas are coil antennas for near field communication and coupled to the at least one RF module;

a first NFC device for communicating with the host computer via a first antenna of the antennas; and

a second NFC device for communicating with the host computer via a second antenna of the antennas;

wherein when a user instructs the host computer to send a first data stored in the first NFC device to the second NFC device, the first data of the first NFC device is transmitted to the second NFC device successively via the first antenna, the RF module coupled to the first antenna, the host computer, the RF module coupled to the second antenna and the second antenna.

2. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein the first NFC device is a portable electronic device with NFC capability.

3. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein the at least one RF module is integrated within the host computer.

4. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein a first data stored in the first NFC device is transmitted to the host computer via the RF module coupled to the first antenna, and the host computer displays the first data on the display device.

5. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein the antennas are disposed behind the display device in an array form.

6. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein the display device is a touch sensitive display device.

7. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein when a user instructs the host computer to send a second data stored in the host computer to the first NFC device, the host computer sends the second data to the first NFC device via the RF module coupled to the first antenna and the first antenna.

8. The NFC system of claim 1, wherein the NFC system comprises RF modules which are mutually coupled.

9. The NFC system of claim 8, wherein the RF modules and the host computer are coupled to a bus.

10. The NFC system of claim 9, wherein each of the RF modules has a corresponding identification code for communicating with the host computer and other RF modules.

11. An apparatus, coupled to a host computer, comprising:

a display panel; and

a plurality of coil antennas disposed behind the display panel, including at least a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the plurality of coil antennas are coupled to at least one radio frequency (RF) module coupled to the host computer;

wherein, when a first foreign NFC device and a second foreign NFC device approach a surface of the display panel, the first foreign NFC device is capable of communicating with the host computer via the first antenna, and the second foreign NFC device is capable of communicating with the host computer via the second antenna.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first foreign NFC device and the second foreign NFC device are both is a portable electronic devices with NFC capability.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one RF module is integrated within the host computer.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coil antennas are disposed behind the display panel in an array form.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when a user instructs the host computer to send a first data stored in the first foreign NFC device to the second foreign NFC device, the first data of the first foreign NFC device is transmitted to the second foreign NFC device successively via the first antenna, the RF module coupled to the first antenna, the host computer, the RF module coupled to the second antenna and the second antenna.