Reader device for radio frequency identification transponder with transponder functionality

• US 8,384,519 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Kuhl, Carmen, Wakim, Peter, Vesikivi, Petri, Huomo, Heikki
• Primary Examiner(s): SYED, NABIL H
• Application Number:
  US10/565,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,507 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.2, 340/10.5, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/539.11, 340/539.23, 455/41, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 235/451
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. The reader device is capable of serving as a radio frequency identification transponder. Such a reader device includes a reader logic unit, a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface and an antenna, and is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode. The reader device also includes a transponder logic unit that is connected to the reader device and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface such that the reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders. The reader device for radio frequency identification transponders can be attached, connected, implemented and/or embedded in electronic device and particularly portable electronic devices, respectively.

Claims

1. A reader device comprising:

a power supply configured to power the reader device;

a reader logic unit connectable to a radio frequency interface and configured to cause the reader device to operate in a reader operation mode by transmitting interrogation signals to detect and communicate with radio frequency identification transponders and by simulating an active radio frequency identification tag to communicate with another radio frequency identification reader;

a transponder logic unit which is connectable to the radio frequency interface, wherein the transponder logic unit is configured to cause the reader device to operate in a show communication mode wherein the reader device acts as a passive radio frequency identification transponder; and

a switching unit configured to automatically switch the reader device between the reader operation mode and the show communication mode,

wherein when the reader device is receiving power from the power supply the switching unit automatically switches the reader device to the reader operation mode, and

wherein when the reader device is not receiving power from the power supply the switching unit automatically switches the reader device to the show communication mode.

2. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the show communication mode is operable independently from the power supply of the reader device and a power supply of a portable device to which the reader device is coupled, and wherein the transponder logic unit is energized by an interrogating signal.

3. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the reader device acts as a passive read-only radio frequency identification transponder in the show communication mode.

4. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the transponder logic unit comprises a transponder memory.

5. The reader device according to claim 4, wherein the transponder memory is non-volatile.

6. The reader device according to claim 4, wherein the transponder memory is configurable.

7. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the transponder logic unit is coupled through the switching unit to the radio frequency interface.

8. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the reader device operates autonomously in the show communication mode during periods of time, within which the reader device is not energized from the power supply of the reader device.

9. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the radio frequency interface is adapted to provide signals required for operation of the reader device in the reader operation mode and the show communication mode.

10. The reader device according to claim 1, wherein the reader device supports near field communication (ECMA-340) standard, and wherein the reader device is operable with a passive communication mode in the reader operation mode.

11. The reader device according to claim 10, wherein the reader device is operable with an active communication mode in the reader operation mode.

12. A portable terminal comprising the reader device according to claim 1.

13. The reader device according to claim 5, wherein the transponder memory is configurable.

14. The portable terminal according to claim 12, wherein the portable terminal is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.

15. A method comprising:

causing a reader device to operate, via a reader logic unit, in a reader operation mode by transmitting interrogation signals to detect and communicate with radio frequency identification transponders and by simulating an active radio frequency identification tag to communicate with another radio frequency identification reader;

causing the reader device to operate, via a transponder logic unit, in a show communication mode wherein the reader device acts as a passive radio frequency identification transponder; and

switching automatically, the reader device between the reader operation mode and the show communication mode,

wherein when the reader device is receiving power from a reader device power supply causing the automatic switching to automatically switch the reader device to the reader operation mode, and

wherein when the reader device is not receiving power from the reader device power supply causing the automatic switching to automatically switch the reader device to the show communication mode.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the show communication mode is operable independently from the power supply of the reader device and a power supply of a portable device to which the reader device is connected, and wherein the transponder logic unit is energized by an interrogating signal.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising causing the reader device to act as a passive read-only radio frequency identification transponder in the show communication mode.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising causing the reader device to operate autonomously in the show communication mode during periods of time, within which the reader device is not energized from the power supply of the reader device.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing signals required for operation of the reader device in the reader operation mode and the show communication mode via a common radio frequency interface.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the reader device supports near field communication (ECMA-340) standard, and wherein the reader device is operable with a passive communication mode in the reader operation mode.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the reader device is operable with an active communication mode in the reader operation mode.