Interface for communicating with an information processing device

• US 7,755,487 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: ZIH Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: O'Hagan, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/682,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20070229224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,225 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/539.1, 340/10.1, 235/375, 235/376, 235/487, 235/492
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

The present invention provides a membrane assembly that integrates an antenna configured to communicate with an RFID device to receive and/or write RFID data to and/or from the RFID device. In various embodiments, the membrane assembly may be incorporated into an information processing device, and the information processing device may be included in an information system. The membrane assembly includes at least a first antenna adapted to wirelessly communicate with an RFID device that may be associated with (i.e. worn, held, attached to, or otherwise related to) a user. The wireless communication between the membrane assembly and the RFID device provides the basis for controlling the information processing device. In various embodiments, the RFID data may be used to authorize, customize, and/or otherwise affect the performance of the information processing device.

Claims

1. An information processing device adapted for wirelessly communicating with an RFID device associated with a user, said information processing device comprising:

a membrane assembly comprising;

a membrane layer having a surface adapted to be pressed by the user, said membrane layer defining a membrane perimeter; and

a first antenna adapted to wirelessly communicate with the RFID device,

wherein at least a portion of said antenna is disposed proximate said membrane layer within said membrane perimeter.

2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein said antenna transmits a radio frequency read pulse to the RFID device.

3. The information processing device of claim 2, wherein said antenna is capable of receiving RFID data transmitted by the RFID device in response to said read pulse.

4. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein said membrane layer includes a switch assembly having a button area, and wherein said switch assembly is adapted to complete a bottom circuit for activating said antenna when said button area is depressed by the user.

5. The information processing device of claim 3, further comprising a processor in communication with said antenna for processing said RFID data received by said first antenna.

6. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein said processor processes said RFID data to authorize, customize, and/or otherwise affect the performance of said information processing device.

7. The information processing device of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna, wherein said first antenna transmits a read pulse to the RFID device and said second antenna is capable of receiving RFID data transmitted by the RFID device in response to said read pulse.

8. The information processing device of claim 1, further comprising a processor in communication with said second antenna for processing said RFID data received by said second antenna.

9. The information processing device of claim 8, wherein said processor processes said RFID data to authorize, customize, and/or otherwise affect the performance of the information processing device.

10. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein said antenna transmits said read pulse when said membrane assembly is activated.

11. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein said information processing device is one of a computing device, a consumer electronic device, a commercial electronic device, and a media output device.

12. The information processing device of claim 11, wherein said information processing device is a printing device.

13. An information processing system for providing controlled access to an information processing device, said information system comprising:

an RFID device associated with a user; and

an information processing device having a secure state and an authorized state, said information processing device comprising;

a membrane assembly comprising;

a membrane layer having a surface adapted to be pressed by the user, said membrane layer defining a membrane perimeter; and

a first antenna adapted to wirelessly communicate with said RFID device,

wherein at least of portion of said antenna is disposed proximate said membrane layer within the membrane perimeter; and

wherein a signal is transmitted between said first antenna and said RFID device for altering said information processing device from said secure state to said authorized state.

14. The information system of claim 13, wherein said antenna transmits a radio frequency read pulse to said RFID device.

15. The information system of claim 14, wherein said antenna is capable of receiving RFID data transmitted by said RFID device in response to said read pulse.

16. The information system of claim 15, further comprising a processor in communication with said antenna for processing said RFID data received by said first antenna.

17. The information system of claim 16, wherein said processor processes said RFID data to control said information processing device to provide said secure, on-demand media output.

18. The information system of claim 13, further comprising a second antenna, wherein said first antenna transmits a read pulse to said RFID device and said second antenna is capable of receiving RFID data transmitted by said RFID device in response to said read pulse.

19. The information system of claim 18, further comprising a processor in communication with said second antenna for processing said RFID data received by said second antenna.

20. The information system of claim 19, wherein said processor processes said RFID data to provide controlled access to said information processing device.

21. The information system of claim 13, wherein said first antenna transmits said read pulse when said membrane assembly is activated.

22. The information system of claim 13, wherein said membrane layer includes a switch assembly having a button area, and wherein said switch assembly is adapted to complete a bottom circuit for activating said antenna when said button area is pressed by the user.

23. The information system of claim 13, wherein said information processing device is a media output device.

24. The information system of claim 23, wherein said information processing device is a printing device.