Wireless mobile communication device having an ensured NFC functionality

• US 8,374,546 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Maugars, Philippe, Gamand, Patrice
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay A
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLEMING-HALL, ERICA L
• Application Number:
  US13/538,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20120270500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 228 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• 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 wireless mobile communication device having NFC functionality that is designed to always be capable of NFC functionality, including secure NFC functionality by having a first and second energy source where charging of the second energy source may be achieved by the voltage induced by the received NFC signal.

Claims

1. A wireless mobile communication device having a NFC functionality comprising:

an antenna that receives and sends NFC signals;

a NFC circuit that provides a NFC functionality for the wireless mobile communication device;

a first energy source that supplies power for the wireless mobile communication device;

a second energy source that supplies power to the NFC circuit to maintain at least the functionality of the wireless mobile communication device;

a control circuit that monitors the charge state of the first energy source, and switches off the first energy source and switches on the second energy source if the monitored charge state of the first energy source falls below a threshold;

a detector that detects the charge state of the second energy source, wherein a voltage induced by an external NFC signal received by the antenna charges the second energy source if the detected charge state of the second energy source is insufficient to allow at least one NFC transaction.

2. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 further comprising a switch to switch the charging operation via the voltage induced by an external NFC signal from the second energy source to the first energy source if the second energy source is completely charged.

3. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein the second energy source is more rapidly chargeable than the first energy source.

4. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein the second energy source is an integrated micro battery.

5. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein the detector and control circuit are part of a power management unit.

6. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein the control circuit is part of the NFC circuit.

7. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1 wherein the second energy source is located on a passive companion chip.

8. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 4, wherein Power Integrated Circuit technology is used to fabricate the integrated micro battery.

9. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second energy source only supplies power to the NFC circuit.

10. The wireless mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the NFC functionality is a secure NFC functionality.