Method for Ensuring a Secure Nfc Functionality of a Wireless Mobile Communication Device and Wireless Mobile Communication Device Having a Secure Nfc Functionality

• US 20080188178A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/07/2008
• 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: Gamand, Patrice, Maugars, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 8,238,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

The invention provides a method for ensuring a secure NFC functionality of a wireless mobile communication device comprising the steps of detecting the charge state of a first energy source (1) which supplies the voltage for operating the wireless mobile communication device (S1); switching off the first energy source and switching on a second energy source (2), if the detected charge state of the first energy source (1) falls below a threshold (S2); detecting the charge state of the second energy source (2), if an external NFC signal is received (S3); charging of the second energy source via voltage induced by a received NFC signal to allow at least one secure NFC transaction, if the detected charge state of the second energy source (2) is below a threshold (S4). Furthermore the invention provides a wireless mobile communication device having a secure NFC functionality, which is always ready for operation of at least the secure NFC functionality.

Claims

1. Method for ensuring a NFC functionality of a wireless mobile communication device comprising of detecting the charge state of a first energy source which supplies the voltage for operating the wireless mobile communication device switching off the first energy source and switching on a second energy source, if the detected charge state of the first energy source falls below a threshold;

detecting the charge state of the second energy source, if an external NFC signal is received; and

charging of the second energy source via voltage induced by a received NFC signal to allow at least one NFC transaction, if the detected charge state of the second energy source is below a threshold.

2. Method according to claim 1, further compring charging of the first energy source via the voltage induced by the external NFC signal as long as an external NFC signal is received if the second energy source is completely loaded.

3. Method according to claim 1, further comprising pre-charging of the second energy source at the time of power-up of the wireless mobile communication device so as to allow at least one NFC transaction if the first energy source has been switched off without charging the second energy source via voltage induced by a NFC signal.

4. Wireless mobile communication device having a NFC functionality comprising antenna means t adapted to receive and send NFC signals;

a NFC circuit adapted to provide a NFC functionality for the wireless mobile communication device;

a first energy source adapted to supply power for the wireless mobile communication device;

a second energy source connectable to the NFC circuit to supply power thereto;

control means adapted to monitor the charge state of the first energy source and adapted to switch off the first energy source and to switch on to the second energy source if the monitored charge state of the first energy source falls below a threshold;

detecting means adapted to detect the charge state of the second energy source; and

wherein the second energy source is adapted to be charged via voltage induced by an external NFC signal received by the antenna means if the detected charge state the second energy source is not sufficient to allow at least one NFC transaction.

5. Wireless mobile communication device according to claim 4 further comprising switching means to switch the charging operation via voltage induced by an external NFC signal from the second energy source to the first energy source if the second energy source is completely loaded.

6. Wireless mobile communication device according to claim 4 wherein the second energy source fit is faster chargeable than the first energy source.

7. Wireless mobile communication device according to claim 4 wherein the second energy source is an integrated micro battery.