Touch sensor and radio frequency identification apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a passive RFID module;
a control module, coupled to the passive RFID module through a wired connection, configured to receive an electrical signal from the passive RFID module through the wired connection;
wherein the control module is configured to determine, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader, or has exhibited a change of impedance as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory;
wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least two modes, including;
a first mode if the control module determines that the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader; and
a second mode if the control module determines that the passive RFID module has exhibited a change of impedance as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory;
the passive RFID module is disposed proximate to a touch panel, andin response to the determined change of impedance, the control module indicates that the human or touch panel accessory has made contact with the touch panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch sensor and RFID apparatus is described. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a passive RFID module disposed proximate to a touch panel, and a control module configured to receive an electrical signal from the passive RFID module. The apparatus may be configured to determine, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader or, in the alternative, has exhibited an impedance change as a result of contact being made with the touch panel. The apparatus may also be configured to operate in a first mode if the passive RFID module is determined to have been energized by an RFID reader, or, in the alternative, operate in a second mode if the passive RFID module is determined to have been energized as a result of contact being made with the touch panel. Additionally, the control module can read from or write to the passive RFID module via direct electrical excitation over a wire or wires connecting the passive RFID module to the control module.
18 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a passive RFID module; a control module, coupled to the passive RFID module through a wired connection, configured to receive an electrical signal from the passive RFID module through the wired connection; wherein the control module is configured to determine, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader, or has exhibited a change of impedance as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory; wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least two modes, including; a first mode if the control module determines that the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader; and a second mode if the control module determines that the passive RFID module has exhibited a change of impedance as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory; the passive RFID module is disposed proximate to a touch panel, and in response to the determined change of impedance, the control module indicates that the human or touch panel accessory has made contact with the touch panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method, carried out by an apparatus, comprising:
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receiving an electrical signal from a passive radio frequency identification module through a wired connection; determining, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module is being energized by a RFID reader, or being energized as a result of a proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory; if the electrical signal exhibits the characteristic of a first signal operating in a first mode, and if the electrical signal exhibits the characteristic of a second signal, operating in a second mode; operating in the first mode comprises receiving the first signal and displaying, on a touch panel, an indication of a presence of the RFID reader, operating in the second mode comprises, receiving the second signal, and indicating, on a user interface, that contact has been made with the touch panel; applying, to the passive RFID module, a continuous carrier signal that has been modulated, the continuous carrier signal being transmitted via the wired connection to the passive RFID module, writing data to the passive RFID module using the continuous carrier signal; and wherein the passive RFID module is disposed proximate to the touch panel, operating in the second mode is carried out when a human or a touch panel accessory makes contact with the touch panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile device comprising:
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a host processor; a touch panel; a passive RFID module disposed proximate to the touch panel; a control module communicatively linked to the host processor and electrically coupled to the control module, the control module comprising a controller, a reader sensing element, a signal generator, and a touch sensing element, each of the reader sensing element, signal generator, and touch sensing element being electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the control module operates in at least four modes, including a first mode, in which the passive RFID module is energized by an RFID reader, thereby inducing a signal, and the signal passes from the passive RFID module to the reader sensing element, which responds by outputting a signal indicating to the controller that an RFID reader is interrogating the passive RFID module; a second mode, in which the passive RFID module is energized by a human touch, thereby inducing a signal, and the signal passes to the touch sensing element, which responds by outputting a signal indicating to the controller that the touch panel is being touched; a third mode, in which the signal generator modulates a signal containing data output by the controller, and provides the modulated signal to the passive RFID module, thereby writing data to the passive RFID module; and a fourth mode in which the signal generator modulates a signal containing an interrogation command output by the controller, and provides the modulated signal to the passive RFID module, which responds by providing the data to the controller.
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Specification