Methods and apparatus for improving NFC coil tuning based on proximity to a remote NFC device

• US 9,042,816 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Frankland, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/668,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20140127993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/77, 455/120, 455/121, 455/123, 455/125, 455/193.1, 455/193.2, 307/104
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0726 the arrangement including a circuit for tuning the resonance frequency of an antenna on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to improving tuning of a NFC coil for operation in one or more modes based on a distance between a NFC device and a remote NFC device. In one example, a NFC device may be configured to detect that a NFC device is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device. The NFC device may be further configured to determine whether a NFC coil is tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance. The NFC device may also be configured to re-tune the NFC coil to the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communications, comprising:

detecting that a near field communication (NFC) device is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device;

determining that a NFC coil of the NFC device is not tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance, wherein the first operational mode comprises one of a plurality of operational modes of the NFC device, and wherein each of the plurality of operational modes is associated with a unique NFC action; and

tuning the NFC coil for use with the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprises using a proximity sensor associated with the NFC device to detect the first distance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first distance is approximately zero millimeters (mm), wherein the remote NFC device is a tag, and wherein the first operational mode comprises reading the tag.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first distance is approximately 40 mm, wherein the remote NFC device is a point of sale (POS) terminal, and wherein the first operational mode comprises interacting with the POS terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tuning further comprising tuning to the first operational mode from a second operational mode, wherein the second operational mode is used for performing a NFC action within a second threshold of a second distance from the remote NFC device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tuning further comprising changing a receiver capacitance to tune a resonance frequency for use with the first operational mode.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the changing the receiver capacitance further comprises changing a value associated with a high voltage capacitor bank.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the changing the receiver capacitance further comprises using a capacitor look up table.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprises:

monitoring use of one or more applications; and

predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the monitored use of the one or more applications.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprises:

monitoring information obtained by one or more sensors; and

predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the information obtained by the one or more sensors.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code comprising:

code for detecting that a near field communication (NFC) device is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device;

code for determining that a NFC coil of the NFC device is not tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance, wherein the first operational mode comprises one of a plurality of operational modes of the NFC device, and wherein each of the plurality of operational modes is associated with a unique NFC action; and

code for tuning the NFC coil for use with the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for using a proximity sensor associated with the NFC device to detect the first distance.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first distance is approximately zero millimeters (mm), wherein the remote NFC device is a tag, and wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for reading the tag.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first distance is approximately 40 mm, wherein the remote NFC device is a point of sale (POS) terminal, and wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for interacting with the POS terminal.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for tuning to the first operational mode from a second operational mode, wherein the second operational mode is used for performing a NFC action within a second threshold of a second distance from the remote NFC device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for changing a receiver capacitance to tune a resonance frequency for use with the first operational mode.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for changing a value associated with a high voltage capacitor bank.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the computer executable code further comprises code for using a capacitor look up table.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable code further comprises:

code for monitoring use of one or more applications; and

code for predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the monitored use of the one or more applications.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable code further comprises:

code for monitoring information obtained by one or more sensors; and

code for predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the information obtained by the one or more sensors.

21. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for detecting that a near field communication (NFC) device is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device;

means for determining that a NFC coil of the NFC device is not tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance, wherein the first operational mode comprises one of a plurality of operational modes of the NFC device, and wherein each of the plurality of operational modes is associated with a unique NFC action; and

means for tuning the NFC coil for use with the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for using a proximity sensor associated with the NFC device to detect the first distance.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first distance is approximately zero millimeters (mm), wherein the remote NFC device is a tag, and wherein the first operational mode comprises means for reading the tag.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first distance is approximately 40 mm, wherein the remote NFC device is a point of sale (POS) terminal, and wherein the first operational mode comprises means for interacting with the POS terminal.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for tuning further comprising means for tuning to the first operational mode from a second operational mode, wherein the second operational mode is used for performing a NFC action within a second threshold of a second distance from the remote NFC device.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for tuning further comprising means for changing a receiver capacitance to tune a resonance frequency for use with the first operational mode.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for changing the receiver capacitance further comprises means for changing a value associated with a high voltage capacitor bank.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for changing the receiver capacitance further comprises means for using a capacitor look up table.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring use of one or more applications; and

means for predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the monitored use of the one or more applications.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for detecting further comprises:

means for monitoring information obtained by one or more sensors; and

means for predicting use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the information obtained by the one or more sensors.

31. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory;

a near field communication (NFC) coil tuning module coupled to at least the processor and configured to;

detect that the apparatus is within a first threshold of a first distance from a remote NFC device;

determine that a NFC coil of the apparatus is not tuned for use with a first operational mode associated with the first distance, wherein the first operational mode comprises one of a plurality of operational modes of the NFC device, and wherein each of the plurality of operational modes is associated with a unique NFC action; and

tune the NFC coil for use with the first operational mode based on a determination that the NFC coil is not tuned for use with the first operational mode.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus further comprises a proximity sensor that is configured to detect the first distance.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first distance is approximately zero millimeters (mm), wherein the remote NFC device is a tag, and wherein the apparatus is configured to read the tag.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first distance is approximately 40 mm, wherein the remote NFC device is a point of sale (POS) terminal, and wherein the apparatus is configured to interact with the POS terminal.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to tune to the first operational mode from a second operational mode, wherein the second operational mode is used for performing a NFC action within a second threshold of a second distance from the remote NFC device.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to change a receiver capacitance to tune a resonance frequency for use with the first operational mode.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to change a value associated with a high voltage capacitor bank.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to use a capacitor look up table.

39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more application, and wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to:

monitor use of one or more applications; and

predict use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the monitored use of the one or more applications.

40. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the NFC coil tuning module is configured to:

monitor information obtained by the one or more sensors; and

predict use of the NFC device within a threshold period of time based on the information obtained by the one or more sensors.